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Old Delhi used to be a walled city called Shahjahanabad, with 13 gates. Today four gates remain, and Delhi Gate is one of them.
Tourists sometimes confuse Delhi Gate with India Gate, but they are completely different. India Gate is a huge war memorial in the centre of New Delhi, styled like the Arche de Triomphe. Delhi Gate is a historic gate that formed part of the walled old city and is located in Old Delhi.
Four of the original gates are still standing and well worth seeing. They’re in remarkably good condition, given their age and the location conditions. They have mostly remained under the radar, blending in with the congestion of Old Delhi.
Recently the gates received renewed interest thanks to (of all things) the art design of the Apple store in Saket, which was inspired by the Mughal gates.
Visiting Delhi Gate: Overview
Delhi Gate is a significant historic site that does not receive the recognition or protection it deserves. It sits forlornly in the middle of a busy street, surrounded by traffic and people, but with no visitors.
There are actually two Delhi Gates in Delhi. The second one is at Delhi’s world heritage site the Red Fort, and they are often confused. We are discussing the one that used to be part of the historic city wall.
The Gate took its name because it faced the road that lead to Delhi, now called Mehrauli. When these gates were built in the 1600s, Old Delhi was called Shahjahanabad, and the area of Mehrauli was considered Delhi.
The Gate is located in the middle of Netaj Subhash Marg, a busy street in Daryaganj close to Old Delhi. Because it’s usually fenced off visitors can’t get right up to it. I wouldn’t make a special trip just to see the Gate, but I would include it when seeing other things in the area, like the Gandhi memorial Rajghat, or the historic sites of Old Delhi.
Delhi Gate is free to visit. Opening hours are generally 8:00 am – 6:00 pm, but it’s been fenced off for a long time, and you may not be able to get in. Visitors can clearly see Delhi Gate from the fence, though. There is no attendant.
What To Expect
Delhi Gate is not a big area, the site is quite small. There isn’t much walking but you will have to brave the traffic of Netaj Subhash Marg to access it. There are no toilets, it’s not an organized monument. You can see it thoroughly in less than 30 minutes.
This area of Delhi is gritty and noisy, so try to go early in the morning when it’s a bit calmer. Don’t go at night, it’s not the best part of town.
Delhi Gate History
Delhi Gate was built in 1638 by Shah Jahan, the Mughal ruler who built the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid and the Taj Mahal. It was one of 13 gates that formed part of the wall surrounding the city of Shahjahanabad. These gates were enormously important, they controlled everyone and everything that entered and exited the city.
Each gate opened to roads leading to important cities and locations. Delhi Gate opened to the road leading to Delhi (now a part of Delhi known as Mehrauli), Kashmiri Gate opened to the road leading to Kashmir, Ajmeri Gate to Ajmer, etc. These were all important trade routes in Mughal times.
Historic records indicate all 13 gates were still standing in 1911, when the capital shifted back to Delhi from Kolkata. Since then most of the historic wall has been demolished, and nine of the gates either fell to complete ruin, or were destroyed for new construction. The four remaining gates are Delhi Gate, Kashmiri Gate, Ajmeri Gate and Turkman Gate.
Delhi Gate has its share of folklore. The bodies of two criminals are believed to be buried in the foundation of the Gate. This practice was not uncommon during Mughal times. It’s also believed to be haunted by the spirits of at least three women.
How To Get To Delhi Gate
The best way to get there is by Delhi metro; the Gate is less than 500 metres from the Delhi Gate metro station. Exit from Gate 3. The Delhi metro is one of the best metro systems in the world. It’s easy to use, cheap and clean. I highly recommend it for getting around Delhi, especially in congested areas like this.
Other good ways to get to Delhi Gate are by Uber or auto rickshaw (if you’re not far away). Both are very popular modes of transport in Delhi and very affordable.
Where To Stay Nearby
The area where Delhi Gate is located is noisy and congested. I don’t recommend you stay there. Instead, stay at one of these places that are located in Central Delhi. You’ll be able to easily explore the whole city, including Delhi Gate, from any one of these.
CP Villa Bed & Breakfast (Best Budget Spot)
This small bed and breakfast is very centrally located in quiet Gol Market. You can walk to Connaught Place and many attractions from here.
Rooms are simple, but clean and comfortable with ensuite bathrooms and their own private patios. For anyone on a budget, this is great value for the area.
📍Check prices and availability at CP Villa Bed & Breakfast
Hotel Palace Heights (Best Mid-Range Spot)
This is a great place for Delhi first timers and solo travellers. It’s located right in the middle of Connaught Place, steps away from numerous restaurants, shops, cafes and the Delhi metro. It’s a very walkable area.
I’ve stayed in this small hotel a couple of times. There’s no gym, but it’s clean, comfortable and has one of the best Indian restaurants in Delhi, Zaffran.
📍Check prices and availability at Hotel Palace Heights
Imperial Hotel New Delhi (Best Luxury Spot)
This is one of the most prestigious hotels in Delhi and a personal favourite. It’s a beautiful heritage property with a gorgeous outdoor pool and a superb location. It also hosts a wonderful afternoon high tea buffet.
You can walk to many sites and attractions from here as well as the Delhi metro. It is an excellent place to stay for exploring Delhi.
📍Check prices and availability at Imperial Hotel New Delhi
FAQs
These are common questions about visiting Delhi Gate:
What is Delhi Gate famous for?
Delhi Gate is famous for being one of the original gates built by Shah Jahan in 1638. It formed part of the perimeter wall surrounding Shahjahanabad.
What are the gates of Delhi called?
The remaining four gates that formed part of the wall surrounding Shahjahanabad are Delhi Gate, Ajmeri Gate, Kashmiri Gate and Turkman Gate. There are also two principal gates at the Red Fort, Lahori Gate and a second gate named Delhi Gate.
What is inside Delhi Gate?
Quarters for guards and sentry points were set up inside Delhi Gate. During the Rebellion of 1857, the British stored ammunition in the Gate. Unfortunately, the interior of Delhi Gate is not accessible to the public at the moment.
The Wrap-up on Delhi Gate: One of the Last Mughal Gates Guarding Old Delhi
Delhi Gate is one of the few remaining original Mughal gates guarding Shahjahanabad. The next time you are in the area, make a detour to see it. These gates have an important place in the history and stories of Old Delhi.
Looking for More? You Might Also Like…
- 35 Best Off the Beaten Path Sites in Delhi
- Heritage Walk of Old Delhi: An Insider’s DIY Tour
- Delhi Walking Tours: The Best Local Companies to Book With
Don’t forget travel insurance! It’s always a good idea to carry travel insurance just in case something goes wrong. I really like and use SafetyWing.
