Lal Darwaza

Built by Sher Shah Suri and formerly known as Lal Darwaza, the Khooni Darwaza is an important part of Indian history. It is one of 13 surviving gates in the city of Delhi.It is situated near the famous Delhi Gate, towards the south of Old Delhi. This beautiful piece of structure is a very important part of the violent history of the country. Khooni Darwaza is also regarded as one of the most haunted places in the capital. With numerous tales interwoven about the place, Khooni Darwaza is amongst the central structures of importance in Indian history. The Khooni Darwaza is one of the few remnants of the fateful days during 1857’s Great Rebellion which not only helped to shape the country as it is now, but also changed the entire system of rule in India.

Built in the early 16th century by Sher Shah Suri, it was earlier known as the Kabuli Darwaza, which acted as the place where caravans to Afghanistan used to pass through. Additionally, it was also used as a point of display of the heads of criminals. The name Khooni Darwaza was given to it during the Mughal era. It is during this time that Jahangir killed Abdur Rahim Khan-I-Khana’s sons and hung them on this gate. He then left their bodies to rot and be eaten by vultures. Furthermore, Aurangzeb, Jahangir’s grandson, defeated Dara Shikoh and then displayed his head at the gate. In 1857, Mirza Mughal and Mirza Khizr Sultan, the sons of Bahadur Shah Zafar and Mirza Abu Bakr, his grandson, were all murdered at this gate by Captain Hodson, after the king surrendered before the British.

Khooni Darwaza is the double-story gate that is made up of quartzite stone, which is 15.5 meters high. This gate has three flights of the three staircases, which have a link with many historical stories. These gates further lead to different other gate levels.The frames of the window are made from red sandstone. The walls of the gate are to show the decapitated head of the criminals. People believe that Khooni Darwaza is 50 feet high and also it is considered as a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey in India.

The Lal Darwaza or more popularly known as ‘Khooni Darwaza’ in Delhi is very famous for being haunted.There is one particular ghost to haunt this place and especially the white people. It is because of the Khooni Darwaza History with Mughal-British time.This gate is named so because of bloodbaths committed on the premises. The emperor Jahangir ordered to kill his two sons. Later the birds have eaten their bodies left over to rot. Aurangzeb also hanged his elder brother to the gate after he expelled his father Shahjahan from the Delhi Throne.

Khooni Darwaza is open from 10:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. It is closed on Sundays. Moreover, you do not need to pay anything to enter Khooni Darwaza. The entry is free of cost.

The best time to visit Khooni Darwaza is between the months of September to March, during the autumn and winter seasons. However, it is suggested not to visit Lal Darwaza between the months of April and July, due to the scorching heat of the summer.

• Always carry a flashlight with you, since the areas inside the gate are quite dark.
• It is advisable to reach the gate between 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to avoid crowd and explore Khooni Darwaza in daylight.
• Since it is supposedly a haunted place, it is not for the faint-hearted. So, it is always recommended to visit Khooni Darwaza in a group, with friends or family.
• You must also carry water and light snacks with you in case you feel nauseous or light-headed.

It usually takes around 30 to 40 minutes approximately to reach Khooni Darwaza from the Airport.However, you can also hire a taxi or rent a prepaid cab like Uber to get to Khooni Darwaza faster. Other than that, for a cheaper alternative, you can avail the GL-22 Bus to the Anand Vihar Bus Terminal, from where you can take an auto-rickshaw or walk till Khooni Darwaza.

• Feroz Shah Kotla Fort – Feroz Shah Kotla Fort was built by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq in 1354 and is one of the oldest structures in Delhi. According to historical sources, this fort was built when the ruler decided to shift his capital from Tughlaqabad to Firozabad due to the scarcity of water at the former capital. The fort has some magnificent gardens, mosques, palaces etc.
• Shankar’s International Dolls Museum – Shankar's International Dolls Museum, New Delhi is located in the Children's Book Trust Building at Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg. This museum was envisaged by the famous cartoonist, K Shankar Pillai.Shankar's International Dolls Museum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in New Delhi.
• Purana Qila – Purana Qila or the Old Fort is a masterpiece of the ancient glory and sterling architecture of the bygone Mughal Empire. It is one of the oldest forts in Delhi and is built on the banks of river Yamuna and spread over a vast 1.5 kms of area.