Khooni Darwaza

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A monument bang in the middle of a busy street in cosmopolitan Delhi, it is a living legend of the gore and violence which our ancient history is steeped in.

Khooni Darwaza on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg in Central Delhi, know of its bloody history. A monument bang in the middle of a busy street in cosmopolitan Delhi, it is a living legend of the gore and violence which our ancient history is steeped in. Located opposite the Ferozeshah Kotla ruins, this is not just a ‘darwaza’ or a gateway, but a small fortress in itself.

Delhi is home to several monuments that act as a fossil, give us an insight into the bygone culture and deep history of the national capital, which has witnessed the rise and fall of as many as 15 dynasties. One of the monuments is Delhi’s Khooni Darwaza. This red-colored structure resembling a typical example of the Mughal architecture of that era, with trademark arches & window sills, more or less like an entrance to a mini fortress with three staircases to the upper levels, giving a peculiar grotesque look to the structure. An open structure at one time, today it is sealed for entry from all sides.

As this gate is on the outskirts of the city, centuries ago the Muslim rulers after executing the criminals would hang their body near the gate till they began to putrefy. Such appalling acts of barbarity were part of life then in Delhi. It particularly acquired the name ‘Khooni Darwaza’ during the Mughal time. This, after emperor Jahangir had the two sons of Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanan, a minister in his father Akbar’s court, killed and hung on this gate.

History repeated itself when Aurangzeb, Jahangir’s grandson, defeated his elder brother Dara Shikoh in a war of succession and had his head displayed at this gate.

Later, in 1857, the sons of Bahadur Shah Zafar- Mirza Mughal and Mirza Khizr Sultan and grandson Mirza Abu Bekar, were murdered at the gate by Major Hodson- a British officer, after Bahadur Shah's surrender.

It was a sort of warning to the new visitors to the city and this horror would act as deterrents to the habitual criminals. Hundreds of refugees were murdered at this gate while they were going towards the refugee camp at Purana Qila during the partition in 1947. The gate has also earned the reputation of being one of the most haunted places in Delhi. Locals believe that the ghosts of those killed here still haunt the area. Some have also claimed that they were slapped, pushed and attacked by a supernatural force. However, there is currently no evidence to prove the claim.

The Khooni Darwaza now lies desolate and tired, thoroughly haunted and traumatized by all that has happened here over the centuries, rendering its name bloody forever.

With goosebumps and chills, we stand simply stunned at the gory, horrible events this ages-old monument has already witnessed!