Delhi or the Shahjahanabad of the Mughals never ceases to astonish anyone. One of such wonder lies in its high arched gates. Delhi had 14 high arched gates but out of them only five are standing in all their majesty even today. People can also experience this while taking the “Delhi Darshan Package.” Let us have a look at these remaining 5 and where they are located:
1. The Kashmiri Gate
The Kashmiri Gate or Kashmere Gate, the northernmost gate of the walled city of Delhi, was built in 1835 by the military engineer Robert Smith. Although built for the purpose of repairing and protecting the historical monuments, the Kashmiri Gate protected the British from the Indian mutineers and their attacks during the Revolt of 1857. It was so named by the British because it pointed in the direction of Northern parts of India – the extreme point of which was Kashmir.
2. Delhi Gate
It is built in 1638 by the emperor Shah Jahan, this gate was used by him to visit Jama Masjid for his prayers. It was to the right of this gate that Bahadur Shah Zaffar was imprisoned after the infamous Revolt of 1857. To locate the direction of Delhi from Lahore, a similar Delhi Gate was constructed within the walled city of Lahore.
3. Turkman Gate
Located to the south of Shahjahanabad, the Turkman Gate is identified after the Sufi Saint, Hazrat Shah Turkman Bayabani. The gate was erected in the latter part of the 1650s and overlooks the dargah or shrine of Hazrat Shah Turkman, which is also the oldest shrine in Delhi and was built in the 13th century. The gate was named to honour this pious saint. Very similar in plan and design to the Ajmeri Gate, the gate came under brutal attacks and firing during the Emergency period in 1976 due to which many parts were damaged.
4. Ajmeri Gate
Situated near the New Delhi railway station, the gate stands in the south-western area of Shahjahanabad. The gate was constructed in 1644. Legend has it that this gate was built to facilitate the pilgrims to locate the direction towards Ajmer, the city in Rajasthan which houses the famous Muslim pilgrimage, Ajmer Sharif. This place also housed the Delhi College, one of the integral colleges of the present Delhi University.
5. Lahori Darwaza
Lahori Darwaza is the main entrance to the Red Fort. The gate is situated in the western part of the fort which apparently faces another important city of the Mughal era, Lahore. Although aeons have passed from the building of this gate, the gate hasn’t lost its glory and every year, the National Flag is hoisted by the Prime Minister on the Indian Independence Day. It is one of the most well-maintained monuments of India, and the only one Gate in Delhi, with a modern elevator.
India is a vast country and a mystery to most. Those who live in it, those who now live outside of India or those who are just visiting. We, at NRIClub™, serve as a centralized hub of information for the residents, non-residents and travellers who are not familiar with various aspects of this great country. We are a unique, online portal providing all of the information to our users that could be relevant to them.
India is a vast country and a mystery to most. Those who live in it, those who now live outside of India or those who are just visiting. We, at NRIClub™, serve as a centralized hub of information for the residents, non-residents and travellers who are not familiar with various aspects of this great country.
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