Delhi Gate
Published: 07/10/2009
There is no particular reason for Naming the Gate as such except that it was so called due to its opening towards Dehli, on the High Road from Lahore, and in that direction. Marching on the Circular Road from Shahalmi, Mochi Gate, Akbari Gate (no longer in existence except the Akbari Mandi), just opposite Landa Bazar on takes a left-hand shops, some hand carts and stalls and fruit vedors, ring sellers, opticians, bangle sellers and so on. The original gateway of the Mughal period was destroyed during the Sikh rule. The gate now in existence was re-built by the British. The gate has an entry space of over 20 feet in width and in circular shape from within, with rooms all around. The length and width of the gate and the area on the first space can be judged from the fact that on the left side, on the first floor of the gate, there is a full-fledged High School for Girls functioning. On the right side the area is in occupation of quarters.
Adjoining, left-hand stair wall of the gate, are located beautiful Hammams maed by Wazir Khan, the Governor of Lahore during Shah Jahan,s period. These Hammams have a built up area of over 2000 sq.ft. that is preserved now. Whatever the use of Hammams during the Mughal period these are beautiful pieces of architecture, designed for a purpose with arrangement of light and air. Inside the domes are nicely done up in stucco-tracery. The patterns of flowers, paintings of the brids, leaves and flowers are simply superb. These Hammams which had been lying neglected were renovated and reopened for public in 1991 by the present Chief Minister. There exists a small library and a reading room in a part of the monument. A visit to the building leads one into the city life of 16th century that is no more. Coming out of the Hammams, taking left turn, one moves in the bazaar towards Masjid Wazir Khan.
In the bazaar about 100 meters from the Delhi Gate there comes a Gate which is called ‘Sufaid Gate’. Nothing is either written or known about the background except that this is an entry point to Chowk Wazir Khan from where the bazaar leads to Chowk Purrani Kotwali. The Sufaid Gate is constructed of old small burnt bricks in lime mortar and should be coming down any moment, as it is in a really bad shape. One left side of Chowk Wazir Khan is Masjid Wazir Khan, in front Chowk Purani Kotwali behind which a modern market has been built. We have separately discussed the beauty of Masjid Wazir Khan as an architectural monument that is one of the two best mosques in the world. However, a visit at site sadly reflects about the care and attention the State and public attaches to this heritage. It is utterly neglected, without any maintenance and as if there was none to lookafter.Continuing this way it may lose half of its life. Further Qabza groups are multiplying the encroachments and natural decaying factors are causes of its deterioration. Continuing with the bazaar from Chowk Wazir Khan one will find that there is a upward height. This is because Lahore was founded on a mound and subsequently built and re-built on the accumulated debris of many centuries. From Chowk Purani Kotwali the bazaar leads towards Chuna Mandi. All the houses both or right and left have been converted into shaps. This bazaar which is now being renovated and converted into proper shops had its old name as ‘Bazar Rada Tailian’ replaced by Azam Cloth Market’s extension. Infact Azam Colth Market has its extension known as Kashmir Block in this bazaar. The bazaar an street at the widest points is not more that 8-10 feet and with open drains running on both side of the walls leaving very little space for movement. In parts sewerage system has been laid but does not appear to be working.On reaching upto Chowk Jamia Masjid, Chuna Mandi from where on the righ side ‘ Bangla Ayub Road’ leads us out to Sheranwala and Yakki Gates. On the same road Mosque Maulana Ahmad Ali is located. There is a historic Sikh Monument ‘Gurdawara Janam Asthan Sri Guru Ram Das Jee’. Guru Ram Das Je was the fourth Guru of Sikhs and was founder of the Sikh sacred city of Amritsar. From Chuna Mandi on the left side the streel leads towards Rang Mahal and at about 200 yards, on right, the bazar ends on the Kashmiri Gate. Straight on, the bazar is slightly wider but in a bad state of repairs due to sewerage line and demolitions of “Tharras’ by the civic authorities, it leads one to the Masjid Gate of the Fort that is just opposite Masjid Mariam Zamani. On left is the historic Haveli Raaja Dhian Singh. From Haveli Dhian Singh a tortuous and circuitous bazar leads towards Sheranwala Gate where a portion of the city wall still exists and then are found the Circular Road in front dividing the city and the Badami Bagh locality.The Chuna Mandi has been historical place of Haveli Dhian Singh who was a Commander of Ranjit Singh and his son Hira Singh very near to the Maharaja. This Haveli saw many upheavala on the fall of Sikh rule. The Haveli was converted into a Zilla School that later on became Central Model School and is located on Lower Mall Road now. Thw Haveli was also used as premises of the first Government College Lahore and now is the Nawaz Sharif Girls College for Lahore.
This completes our tour of the city. Before winding up it may be added that the city is situated about 2 miles from the river Ravi. It is built in the form of a parallelogram. The area within the walls exclusive of the citadel is 461 acres. It stands on an alluvial plain traversed by river. The city is elevated and has a high ridge than its running east and west on its north side. Most feel that the elevated ground has a large component of debris of centuries. The River Ravi is no longer mighty. With its diversion by India it is not a danger for the city that people have constructed up to its banks. Practically it is now reduced to a big drain taking all the sewerage water of the city. When we talk of the city and mention is peculiar features, it means the old walled city located within the city gate. The city is an irregular trapezium. It widens on the north. Only a part of the city wall exists around Sheranwala Gate and the remaining has just disappeared with lofty houses instead.
Delhi Gate
