Khooni Dharwaza, Delhi ommons.wikimedia.org |
Khooni gate (Darwaza), Delhi. triphobo.com/ |
Above image: Also known as Kabuli Khuni Darwaja, Delhi, the gate linked to political and historical violent incidents is made of quartzite stone (a metamorphic rock). 15.5 m (50.9 ft) tall, it has a staircase to access different levels of the gate. It was here the last mogul princes were shot dead by the East India company's army under devilish major William Raikes Hodson....................
The gate also known as the Khooni Darwaza, was once an outpost on the outskirts of Delhi and it came up during the reign of Sher Shah Suri in the 1540s. The historical gate got the notoriety even during the Mogul period. It was here heads of criminals were hung to scare the public not to get involved in criminal activities as they would face the same fate.
Khooni Darwaza, Delhi. rachnakar.com |
The history of Khooni Darwaza is not a pleasant one, often written in blood associated with violence. Near the gate a pale of gloom and a feeling of uneasiness prevails if we delve into its past gory details.
Way back in the 17th century two sons of Abdur Rahim Khan-e-Khanan, a relative of were put to death here. Reason: revelry. However, it's a fact that Emperor Jahangir in the early decades of the 17th Century ordered the killing of the two sons of Abdur Rahim Khan-e-Khan, his relative. Bairam Khan acted as Akbar's regent after Humayun's death and wielded lots of power. The two sons were considered traitors by the ruler. Jahangir wanted his eldest son to ascend the throne and he thought Abdul Rahim was not in favor of his son to become the next ruler after Akbar's death. The disgusting thing was the bodies of Khan-e-Khanan's sons were left on the Khooni gate to rot and be eaten by birds of prey here.
Sher Shah Suri of Delhi. 1472 – 22 May 1545)historyforexam.com, |
Khooni Darwaza,Delhii dharthbedi.wordpress.com |
Prince Dara Shikoh killed by Aurangzeb. .newindianexpress.com |
major William Hodson. Find A Grave com |
Above image: Major William Raikes Hodson of the East India Company took the credit of shooting to death the last three mogul princes near the Khooni Dharwaza, Delhi on 22 September 1957..................
During the great rebellion of 1857 finally the EIC' troops recaptured Delhi and arrested the last Mogul ruler Bahadur Shah Zafar. In September under the most vicious major William Raikes Hodson the British troops went to Humayun's tomb in Nizamuddin where the three Mogul princes - sons and grandson of last ruler were hiding. On 22 September the three princes Mirza Mughal and Mirza Khizr Sultan and grandson Mirza Abu Bekar were arrested and brought to Delhi on a bullock cart with a huge crowd following them
As there was a bit of commotion near the Khooni Darwaza, Hodson thought the crowd mostly Muslims would attack them. He ordered the princes to get off the cart and stripped them naked. In a whiff major Hodson shot at the princes point blank. It was simply a cold- blooded murder before a huge crowd. The horrendous stuff was without any basic military norms, he had the bodies of the young princes, taken to Chandni Chowk where they lay in front of the Kotwali for days, rotting in the hot sun.
Because of past gory incidents involving bloodshed Khooni Darwaza is said to be a haunted place, but there are no proofs that it is a haven for spirits, paranormal forces and djinns who scare the people if they step in there after sundown. I have heard people say this Khooni Darwaza, close to Maulana Azad Medical College, G.B. Pant Hospital, Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital and Jayaprakash Narayan Hospital (formerly Irwin Hospital) is a hangout for drunks, hobos and vagabonds. Across the gate is Feroze shah Kotla grounds, once famous venue for Test cricket matches in Delhi. A police outpost is a necessity to avoid abuse of this historical gate that is associated with mainly dark chapters of Delhi's history.
Some people call it Lal Dharwaza (red gate) and, in reality, because of lack of upkeep and repair work, the walls of the gate are worn-out exposing the stones that acquired a reddish hue after prolonged exposure to changes in climatic conditions.
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2002/12/02/stories/2002120200470200.htm