Did You Know About This Ancient Gate In West Bengal?

An impressive gateway built in 1425, Dakhil Darwaza is an important Muslim monument. The name "Dakhil Darwaza" literally translates to "entry gate" in English, was the main entrance to the citadel of Lakhnauti, the old name for the city of Gaur in West Bengal. This 15th-century monument is made up of small red bricks and terracotta with traces of intricate ornamentation.

History and Architecture

The ancient gateway, also known as Salami Darwaza, is believed to have been constructed by Ala-ud-din-Hussain Shah and is more than 21 metres high and 34.5 metres wide. It comprises four corners, which are topped with towers as high as five storeys. The Dakhil Darwaza used to be the main gateway to the Fort of Gaur from the north and opens through the embankments surrounding the structure.

Historical accounts suggest that the palace the sultans inhabited was enclosed within a 42-foot-high wall called the Bais Gazi (22 Gazi), covering a square kilometre of area. The southeast corner of the fort has a 20-metre-high wall that encloses the ruins of an old palace. From adjacent ramparts, cannons used to be fired. Hence, the gate is also known as Salami Darwaza. The gateway boasts a central passage, measuring 4.5 metres wide, flanked by guardrooms on either side. These guardrooms, each accessed via subsidiary entrances, are spacious 22.70 metres by 2.90 metres and feature two exits for accessibility.

The gateway soars to a height of about 15 metres, with the entrance arch rising majestically to 10.4 metres. Within this grand structure, a smaller archway lies behind the wider arc, leading to the vaulted passage. The design, notably projected in the form of an iwan portal, is flanked by impressive twelve-sided towers at the corners, showcasing a striking architectural harmony that befits the grandiosity associated with the rule of that era.

Motifs and Intricacies

While not extravagantly adorned, the gateway boasts intricate terracotta decorations typical of its time. These ornate details include string mouldings at base levels, fret-rings inset around the corner towers segmented with vertical offsets, and window-shaped arched panels adorned with hanging motifs. The spandrels of arches are adorned with beautifully crafted rosettes, offering a glimpse into the elegant design sensibilities of the Sultanate era.

Notably, the arched window motifs, both inside the inner arch and flanking the outer arch, represent traditional yet stunning examples of Sultanate ornamentation, drawing inspiration from the iconic Adina Mosque at Pandua-Firuzabad. Among the monuments of Gaur-Lakhnauti, the Dakhil Darwaza stands out as the grandest and most majestic, a true architectural gem that speaks volumes about the historical significance and grandeur of the region.

Restoration and Current State

The Dakhil Darwaza is what remains of the old palace, and the ruins of the castle it enclosed lay within. The gateway to a fort, it is an important monument of the 15th century. You can visit this monument, located in the old city of Gaur in the Malda district of West Bengal. It remains open throughout the week, and you can visit it between 9 am and 6 pm.