Delhi Gate, New Delhi

Delhi Gate – This large sandstone structure, built by Emperor Shahjahan in 1638 as part of the high fort walls that encircled the historic walled city of Delhi (Shahajahanabad), is a heritage site maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. Situated at the edge of Daryaganj, this is the Southern Gate of the walled city divides the New Delhi city with the old Delhi.

The design and architecture of the Gate is similar in to that of Kashmiri Gate, the Northern Gate of the walled city. Apart from these two Gates, the old walled city had 12 gates, namely, Rajghat Gate, Khizri Gate, Calcutta Gate, Nigambodh Ghat Gate, Kela Ghat Gate, Lal Gate (also referred to as ‘Khooni Darwaza’*), Badarroo Gate, Kabuli Gate, Pathar Ghat Gate, Lahauri Gate, Ajmeri Gate and Turkman Gate.

* Khooni Darwaza is first found by name in literature after three Princes of the Mughal Dynasty – Bahadur Shah Zafar’s sons Mirza Mughal, and Mirza Khizr Sultan and grandson Mirza Abu Bakht, were shot by a British officer, Major William Hodson, on 22 September 1857 during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, known as the Indian Mutiny of 1857 or the first war of independence.