Gates of Delhi

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Turkman Gate
)

Gates of Delhi
Alai Darwaza: Qutb complex
Kashmiri Gate
West Gate: Purana Qila
Delhi Gate
Lahori Gate, Red Fort
India Gate

The Gates of Delhi were city gates at various medieval townships around Delhi, built under dynastic rulers in the period that could be dated from the 8th century to the 20th century. They are the gates in:

In 1611, the European merchant William Finch[1] described Delhi as the city of seven castles (forts) and 52 gates. More gates were built after that period during the Mughal rule and during the British rule. Only 13 gates exist in good condition, while all others are in ruins or have been demolished. Like all gates denote, the direction of the destination station is the starting name of the gate.[2][3][4][5][6][7]

Gates in the 1st city

Gates in the First Medieval city of Delhi, in Qutub Complex
Qutub
Archaeological Village

In the first city of Delhi, 13 gates were built in the 11th-century citadel of

monuments. The ruins of Hauz Rani and Barka are seen around the remains between giant gaps in the long stretches of the Lal Kot wall, surrounded by a wide moat on the outside. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has proposed to conserve all the identified gates.[2][4][5][8][9]

The Chaumukha Darwaza (Chaumukha in

archaeological value. It has been conserved by the ASI. The gate's architectural style is traced to the Tuglaq period in view of its massive thickness. It has a "horned" outwork with paved stones in an engraved grid pattern that indicates that it was designed for defense purposes. The purpose for which it was built has not been discerned. Hence, it has also been conjectured that it could have been built by Thomas Metcalfe as one of his follies, close to his original 'Dilkusha' mansion (now seen in ruins) to enhance the elegance of his retreat.[2][10]

The Ranjit gate towards the north wall of Lal Kot is in ruins. It was once considered as a grand gate through which the Turks had entered the city. Hence, it was subsequently fortified to prevent any further foreign incursions. Only part of the gate is visible and is yet to be listed as a heritage monument.[2]

The Fateh Gate close to Fateh Burj has convoluted features and is about 24 m (79 ft) in diameter. The Sohan Gate guarded by a large bastion called the Sohan Burj was stated to be the location of a Sun temple.[2]

Hauz Rani and Budayuni Gates, which were reportedly once-prominent gates, are now traced in ruins. An anecdote of history of the Budayuni gate, considered then as the principal gate of the city by

Chinaware at this gate. The gate was also known for the punishment meted out to the guilty. They were tortured and beheaded in public view at this gate. A strict watch was maintained at this gate to detect and prevent incursions by Mongols.[2][9]

horse shoe pointed shaped arches on three sides and with a semicircular arch on the northern side. The underside of the arches have fringed lotus bud embellishments.[2][4][11] Historian Fanshawe writing euphorically on the beauty of the gate extolled:[12][13]

"The Alai Darwaza is not only the most beautiful structure at the Kutub, but is one of the most striking specimens of external polychromatic decoration not merely in India, but in the whole world, while the carving of interior may challenge comparison with any work of the kind. Both exterior and interior merit detailed and leisurely examination. The effect of the graceful pointed arches in the three external sides of the gate, and in the corner recesses is extremely pleasing, and the view from the exterior through the southern archway to the round-headed arch of the north side, and the court beyond, is very striking. The decoration of the north arch is curious and unique. The effect of exterior suffers, from a distant point of view, from the absence of a parapet above the walls; this was unfortunately removed by Captain Smith, as it was greatly ruined. The gate was finished five years before the emperor died, and is specially mentioned by the chronicler of his reign."'

Gates in the 2nd city

Southern Gate of Siri Fort in ruins

The second medieval city of Siri Fort was built during the rule of Ala-ud-Din Khalji of the Delhi Sultanate with the major objective of protecting the city from the onslaught of the Mongols.[14][15] The city, when built with an oval plan, was best described as presenting an embodiment of richness with palaces and other structures and had seven gates for entry and exit. But, at present, only the Southeastern gate exists, also in ruins (pictured). The destruction of the fort and its gates are attributed more to the local rulers of subsequent dynasties who removed the stones, bricks and other artifacts of the fort for their own buildings and palaces.[16]

Gates in the 3rd city

Tughlaqabad
fort and Palace

Daulatabad in the Deccan and returned to found the fourth city of Jahanpanah.[14][17][18]

Gates in the 4th city

Muhammad bin Tughluq, first built Adilabad, then Nai-ka-Kot, towards the south of Tughlaqabad. These were two small fortresses. But he soon abandoned them. He built a new city by enclosing the areas lying between the cities of Siri, Tughlaqabad and Lal Kot. The city was named as Jahanpanah, an asylum of the world, in 1334. The city had 13 gates. The ruins of gigantic ramparts of his two fortresses and some portions of the Jahanpanah walls have survived the ravages of time but are seen now only in total ruins. The watchtower Bijai Mandal still stands in ruins in the city of Jahanpanah. But no fort gates are traced.[14][19]

Gates in the 5th city

Firozabad. The architecture of the fort was fairly simple and straightforward. The city had three palaces and a citadel known as Feroz Shah Kotla. The king's, as well as his wife's quarters, were situated along the riverfront. The structures within the enclosure walls of the fort were barracks, armories, servant's rooms, halls for audience, an imposing mosque as well as public and private baths and a stepped well or baoli. An Ashokan pillar brought from Topara, Ambala was mounted on top of a pyramidal three-tiered construction. No gates of this period exist.[14][20]

Gates in the 6th city

Bara Darwaza & Talaqi Darwaza
South Gate Purana Qila
View of Talaqi Darwaza of Purana Qila

Three main gates on the north, south and west are part of the fortifications of the

bastions adorn the gate with high ceiling rooms. On the second floor of the gate, there are two openings. Exterior surface of the gate had coloured tiles and the inner rooms were covered with incised plaster work. The Purana Qila was stated to have been left unfinished by Suri, which was later completed by Humayun. The southern gate is called the Humayun Darwaza; the reasons attributed for the name are that either Humayun built it or the gate overlooked Humayun's tomb. An inscription in ink on the gate refers to Sher Shah with the date as 950 A.H. (1543–44).[4][9][21][22]

Sher Shah Gate

Sher Shah Gate

Sher Shah gate or Lal Darwaza

Sher Shah gate located to the south of Khairu’l-Manazil-Masjid is said to be an entrance to the large city of Delhi that Sher Shah built in front of his fortress of Purana Qila. The gate, mostly built with red sandstone but with use of local

verandah, which may have been used for commercial establishments. Kabuli or Khuni–Darwaza (explained in the following section) is another gate on the fringes of Sher Shah's city. ASI has undertaken extensive conservation works of the gate and its surroundings at a cost of Rs 7.5 million (US$150,000).[9][23][24]

Gates in the 7th city

Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi
) in 1863, showing all the gates to walled city.

Turkman Gate on the south and the Nigambodh Gate on the north-east, all of which express vividly the splendor of the city. All the gates are located within a radius of 5–6 km (3.1–3.7 mi) in the present day Old Delhi. The Lahori gate on the Northeast, in the old city, was demolished (some remnant walls are seen at the crossing as may be seen in picture) and the area converted into the present day Lahori Bazar. The gates have a square plan with high arched openings, except for low height of the Nigambodh gate, and two openings—one for entry and another for exit—of the Kashmiri gate.[9]
The names of all the gates, which existed during Shahajahan's time are the Dilli Darwaza (also known as Delhi Gate), Kabuli Darwaza, Raj Ghat Darwaza, Khizri Darwaza, Nigambodh Darwaza, Kela Ke Ghat ka Darwaza, Lal Darwaza, Kashmiri Darwaza, Badar Darwaza, Patthar Khati Darwaza, Lahori Darwaza, Ajmeri Darwaza and Turkuman Darwaza.

The names of the wicket gates or windows (now none exist) through which people entered and exited from the old fort city were:

  • Zeenatul Masajid Khirkee
  • Nawab Ahmad Bakhsh ki Khirkee
  • Nawab Ghaziuddin ki Khirkee
  • Musamman Burj ki Khirkee
  • Muslim Garh ki Khirkee
  • Naseer Ganj ki Khirkee
  • Nai Khirkee
  • Shah Ganj Khirkee
  • Ajmeri Darwaza ki Khirkee
  • Sayyad Bhole ki Khirkee
  • Buland Bagh ki Khirkee
  • Farash Khana ki Khirkee
  • Ameer Khan ki Khirkee
  • Khalil Khan ki Khirkee
  • Bahadur Ali Khan ki Khirkee
  • Nigambodh ki Khirkee.

Kashmiri gate

Main article: Kashmiri Gate, Delhi
Kashmiri Gate in Shahajahanabad, Delhi
Kashmiri Gate, Delhi
, 1858

Inter State Bus Terminals. It is now preserved as monument on the road to the Old Secretariat and the Delhi University. It was named as Kashmiri Gate since it was used by the emperors to go through on their visits to Kashmir and North India. It was also the historic venue of the intense fighting which took place in 1857, between British forces and Indian rebels. The fortifications were used to fire cannons at the British forces encamped at Ludlow Castle. The rebels gathered at a place close to the St. James Church to discuss war strategy. British forces fought fiercely at this gate and re-captured the city from the rebels. During the war, the gate was badly damaged by British cannon fire to get control over Delhi. Subsequently, area surrounding the Kashmiri Gate became the commercial hub of Delhi, when the Civil Lines were developed by the British.[6][7][9][25][26][27]

Delhi Gate

Main article:
Delhi Gate (Delhi)

The Delhi Gate (Coordinates 28.641196N 77.240511E) is the southern gate in the historic

Shahjahanabad. The gate links the New Delhi city with the old walled city of Delhi. It stands in the middle of the road, at the end of Netaji Subhash Chandra Road (or Netaji Subhash Marg), at the edge of the Daryaganj
. Other Delhi Gate of Delhi, is also situated in Najafgarh.

Ajmeri Gate

Ajmeri Gate

Ajmeri Gate, built in 1644, to the south–west of Shahjahanabad with a square plan, has high arched openings. It was one of the battlefields of the

Safdarjung, which at one point were one of the important sights of Delhi.[28] At present, the old walls of the fort have been demolished and replaced by commercial buildings and residential complexes, but the gate on the west exists.[7][9][25][29]

Turkman Gate

Turkman gate

Turkman Gate, located to the southern edge of Shahajahanabad (Coordinates: 28.642231N 77.232591E), is named after the

Ramlila grounds. It has a square plan with high arched openings. The tomb of Razia Sultan and Kali Masjid or Kalan Masjid are located in close proximity of the gate.[7][9][25][29]/. The gate was the scene of Turkman gate demolition and rioting
in 1976.

Lahori Gate, Old Delhi

Remnant of old Lahori Gate at Lahori Bazar crossing

The Lahori gate of the Old Delhi city (Coordinates: 28.657110N 77.218831E), now only a bazaar square with small remnants at one end, used to lead east along the Chandni Chowk to the Lahore gate of the Red Fort. Inside the Lahori gate is the grain market. Outside the gate stands a mosque built by Sirhindi Begum, wife of Shah Jahan, whom he married after the death Arjumand Banu Begum, Mumtaz Mahal. This Lahori Gate was also one of the last points captured during the siege of 1857.[28]

Lahore Gate, Red Fort

Main article: Red_Fort § Lahore_Gate

The Lahore gate (Coordinates: 28.655879N 77.238666E) is the main gate to the Red Fort named after its orientation towards Lahore, Pakistan.[6][7][25][29][30]

Delhi Gate, Red Fort

Main article: Red_Fort § Delhi_Gate

The southern public entrance to the Red Fort (Coordinates: 28.652148N 77.240112E).

Nigambodh Gate

It was built on the north eastern side of the

Yamuna River at this ghat to recover his lost memory and by this act Brahma not only got back his memory but also remembered the place he had kept his sacred books. In the past, the gate was closer to the ghat and nearer to the Salimgarh Fort
.

Khooni Gate

Khuni Darwaza or Bloody Gate

Kabuli Gate or Khooni Darwaza (Coordinates: 28.635974N 77.241042E), literally translated means "Bloody Gate", a "morbid sounding name". It is a double–storied structure. Its construction is credited to Sher Shah Suri's reign from 1540 to 1545 (though the fort walls of the Suri period have not been seen to extend to this gate). It was built largely with grey stone but red stones were also used in the frames of its windows.[4][9][29] Though not within the walls of the Shahajahan's fort, it is located on the Mathura road opposite to the

Ferozshah Kotla near Maulana Azad Medical College
. At this gate, on 21 September 1857, during the
Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, were executed by the British Officer, Captain William Hodson
.

Bahadur Shahi Gate

Bahadur Shah Gate and Salimgarh Fort Gate
Bahadurshah gate linking Red Fort and Salimgarh Fort through the arched bridge
Entry Gate to Salimgarh Fort (renamed as Swatantrata Senani Smarak)

Salimgarh Fort, which is now part of the Red fort complex, was constructed on an island of the Yamuna River in 1546. But a gate called the Bahadur Shahi Gate for entry into the Fort from the northern side was constructed only in 1854–55 by

Zebunnisa, daughter of Aurangzeb; the British imprisoned the freedom fighters of Indian National Army. The layout of the Red Fort was organized to retain and integrate this site with the Salimgarh Fort through the Bahadur Shah Gate.[31][32]

Gates in the 8th city

India Gate, New Delhi
India Gate (east face at night) commemorates Indian soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War
Entrance steel gates to Rashtrapati Bhavan with a Victory pillar called Jaipur Column in the background

Delhi became the capital of

King George V till 1968. This statue has been shifted to the Coronation Park, Delhi, which was the site of the declaration of the new capital of Delhi. The Chhatri is now devoid of any statue since there is a protracted discussion on which National leader's statue should be installed there.[25][34][35] There is an impressive set of a large central steel gates flanked by asymmetrically designed smaller gates that provides entry into the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's palace). A commemorative column called the Jaipur Column with a "distinctly peculiar crown: a glass star springing out of bronze lotus blossom", is located midway between the entry gates and the Rashtrapati Bhavan.[36]

Gallery

The grave to the east of Turkman Gate is not the mausoleum of the 13th century Sufi Shams-ul-Arifeen Shah Turkman Byabani. The Shrine of the Sufi is deep inside Mohalla Qabristan and can be approached either through Mohammad Deen Ilaichi Marg or through the road leading to Chitli Qabar from Turkman Gate. The grave to the east of Turkman Gate has nothing to do with the Sufi and this is some imposter who is using a lack of information on the Sufi Sanit to make some quick buck.

See also

References

  1. ^ Finch's journal, 1608–11, was excerpted and published by Samuel Purchas, Purchas His Pilgrimes, London, 1625; the material concerning India was republished in Sir William Foster, Early travels in India, 1583-1619 (1921; reprinted 1985) pp 125–87.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Basu, Arundhati (26 June 2004). "Wisps of the past through Dilli's golden gates". The Times of India. Retrieved 10 June 2009.
  3. ISBN 81-7436-354-8. Retrieved 27 August 2009. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help
    )
  4. ^ a b c d e "Gates of Delhi". Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  5. ^ a b c "History of Delhi". Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  6. ^
    ISBN 978-81-206-1318-8. Retrieved 10 June 2009. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help
    )
  7. ^ a b c d e "Gates of Old Delhi". Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  8. ^ Peck p.229,236
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Commonwealth Games-2010, Conservation, Restoration and Upgradation of Public Amenities at Protected Monuments" (PDF). Qila Rai Pithora Wall. Archaeological Survey of India, Delhi Circle. 2006. p. 55. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 October 2011. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
  10. ^ Peck p.236
  11. ^ Peck p.42
  12. ^ Sharma p.57,58
  13. ISBN 978-81-206-1282-2. Retrieved 19 May 2009. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help
    )
  14. ^ a b c d "Siri Fort". Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  15. ^ Sharama, Y.D. (2001). Delhi and its Neighbourhood. New Delhi: Archaeological Survey of India. pp. 22, 83–84. Archived from the original on 31 August 2005. Retrieved 24 April 2009. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  16. ^ Peck p.
  17. ^ Peck p.135–138
  18. ISBN 978-81-206-1282-2. Retrieved 19 May 2009. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help
    )
  19. ^ Peck p.58
  20. ^ Peck p.82–85
  21. ^ Peck p.134–138
  22. ^ Sharma p.122–123
  23. ^ Peck p.138
  24. ^ Sharma p.128–129
  25. ^
    ISBN 978-1-86450-297-8. Retrieved 13 June 2009. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help
    )
  26. ^ "Kashmeeri gate, Delhi". Retrieved 18 May 2009.
  27. ^ Peck p.192
  28. ^ a b c Hearn, p. 44
  29. ^ a b c d Jahan, Mahtab (2004). "Dilli's gates and windows". MG The Milli Gazette Indian Muslims leading new paper. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  30. ^ Sharma p.143
  31. ^ "Press Release on Inscription of the Red Fort in the World Heritage List – 2007" (PDF). Archaeological Survey of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 April 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  32. ISBN 978-1-86450-297-8. Retrieved 28 May 2009. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help
    )
  33. ISBN 978-0-415-06084-4. Retrieved 19 May 2009. Jahanpanah. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help
    )
  34. ^ Peck p.266,268
  35. ^ "India Gate". Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  36. ^ Peck p.276

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