Delhi Gate and the Historic Gates of Lahore

The Delhi Gate is one of the most famous of the historic gates of Lahore. It stands on the eastern side of the Walled City and once opened towards Delhi. The gate was built during the Mughal era as one of the thirteen gates of the old city. It leads to the Wazir Khan Mosque and to one of the largest cloth markets in the region. The old city was once entered through these thirteen great gates in its wall. For anyone getting to know Lahore, the gates tell the story of how the old city lived, traded and defended itself.

This guide explains what the Delhi Gate is, the story of the thirteen gates of Lahore, their history and their setting. It covers both the Delhi Gate itself and the wider ring of gates around the old city.

The Delhi Gate

The Delhi Gate is one of the thirteen historic gates of the Walled City of Lahore. It stands on the eastern side of the old city. The gate was built during the Mughal period. It took its name because it faced towards Delhi, the capital of the Mughal Empire at the time. It marked the start of the road that once led from Lahore to Delhi.

The Delhi Gate is one of the most important surviving gates. It suffered greatly during the riots of 1947 but has since been renovated to its former glory. The gate now stands restored as part of the wider revival of the old city. It marks the entrance to one of the richest heritage areas of the Walled City.

The area around the Delhi Gate is a historic and busy place. A number of old buildings, havelis and markets stand near the gate. The gate leads to the Wazir Khan Mosque, the most ornately decorated Mughal mosque in the city. It also opens onto one of the largest cloth markets in the region, a trade hub for cloth merchants from across the country. The Shahi Hammam, the Mughal royal baths, stands just inside the gate.

The Delhi Gate marks the start of the Royal Trail. This is the historic route, the Shahi Guzargah, that runs from the gate towards the Lahore Fort. Mughal emperors once travelled this road. The trail has been restored in recent years and links the Delhi Gate, the Wazir Khan Mosque and the Shahi Hammam. The gate is now one of the main entry points for visitors exploring the heritage of the old city.

Quick answer: The Delhi Gate is one of the thirteen well known gates in the Walled City of Lahore. It is located in the east and was formerly facing the direction of Delhi. It is an Mughal structure that provides access to the Wazir Khan Mosque and a huge fabric market. The gate serves as the entrance point for the royal trail to Lahore Fort.

Thirteen gates of Lahore

The thirteen gates of Lahore are among the most famous features of the old city. The Walled City was once surrounded by a great brick wall. This wall stood around nine metres high. Thirteen gates pierced the wall and served as the entry and exit points of the city. The gates were built mainly for defence, to protect the residents from invaders.

The thirteen gates each had a name and a story. The Delhi Gate faced towards Delhi on the east. The Kashmiri Gate faced towards Kashmir and leads to the Kashmiri Bazaar. The Lohari Gate, one of the oldest, was named after the blacksmiths of the city. The Bhati Gate on the west was home to a Rajput clan and is famous for its food. The Roshnai Gate stands near the Badshahi Mosque and is the oldest surviving gate. The Shahalmi Gate was named after a Mughal prince.

The other gates carried their own histories. The Akbari Gate was named after the Emperor Akbar and stands near the Akbari Mandi grain market. The Mochi Gate took its name from a word linked to the guards or the cobblers of the area. The Masti Gate was named after the nearby mosque of the mother of Jahangir. The Taxali Gate was named after the royal mint, the taxal. It is known for its shoe market. The Yakki Gate was named after a saint who died defending the city. The Mori Gate was the smallest of all the gates.

The gates opened onto distinct neighbourhoods and markets. Each gate area developed its own character over the centuries. Some became known for food, others for cloth, shoes or other trades. This variety survives today, so that each gate area of the old city has its own atmosphere and specialities. The gates remain a way of understanding the layout and life of the old city.

History of the gates

The history of the gates is tied to the history of the Walled City. The old city was first protected by mud walls during the medieval period. The gates in their grand form date mainly from the Mughal era. The Emperor Akbar rebuilt and fortified the walls of the city in the late sixteenth century. The old wood and iron gates were built around this time, from around 1584 onwards.

The gates served the city for centuries. They controlled who entered and left the old city. They were closed at night for security. The walls and gates enclosed the dense network of lanes, bazaars and quarters within. During the Sikh period, the ruler Ranjit Singh had the walls repaired where they had fallen into disrepair. The gates remained the entry points to the thriving old city through these eras.

The gates suffered greatly under British rule. The British took control of Lahore in the mid nineteenth century. They demolished the city walls and most of the gates after the events of 1857, to reduce the fortifications of the city. Only the Roshnai Gate was left standing at first. The British replaced the wall with a circular garden around much of the old city. This changed the character of the edge of the old city.

Several gates were rebuilt after this period. Craftsmen reconstructed a number of the gates, though some were built as simpler structures. Some gates were lost forever. The Shahalmi Gate burned down during the riots of 1947. The Akbari Gate had been demolished for repairs and was never rebuilt. Others, such as the Masti and Taxali gates, no longer survive. Today only a handful of the original thirteen gates remain. Some of these need further repair and restoration.

Surviving gates today

A handful of the original thirteen gates survive today. These surviving gates are among the most cherished heritage features of the old city. They include the Delhi Gate, the Roshnai Gate, the Bhati Gate, the Kashmiri Gate, the Lohari Gate and the Sheranwala Gate. Each of these has its own character and surroundings.

The Delhi Gate is one of the best restored. It leads to the Wazir Khan Mosque and a great cloth market. It also marks the start of the Royal Trail. The Roshnai Gate, the oldest surviving gate, stands near the Badshahi Mosque and the Lahore Fort. Its name means the Gate of Lights. It was once the main link between the fort, the mosque and the old city. These two gates are the most visited by those exploring the heritage of the old city.

The other surviving gates each anchor a lively neighbourhood. The Bhati Gate on the western side is famous for its food and its historic associations. The area has long drawn visitors for its traditional eateries. The Lohari Gate, one of the oldest, opens onto a neighbourhood known for its desi food and Lahori treats. The Kashmiri Gate leads to the Kashmiri Bazaar and towards the huge Azam Cloth Market, one of the largest cloth markets in the region.

The gate areas remain busy and full of life. They are dense, working neighbourhoods as well as heritage sites. The markets, eateries and workshops around the gates keep them alive as part of the daily life of the city. The Walled City of Lahore Authority now works to preserve and restore the surviving gates. This effort aims to protect these landmarks for future generations.

Setting and significance

The gates ring the Walled City in the historic core of Lahore. The Circular Road now runs around the old city where the wall and its gates once stood. This road follows the line of the former fortifications. The gates mark the points where the old routes entered the city. They remain the main entry points to the quarters of the old city.

The gates hold deep significance for Lahore. They are among the most recognisable symbols of the old city and its long history. They tell the story of how the city was built, defended and organised over the centuries. Each gate carries the memory of the neighbourhood, the trade or the figure it was named after. Together they form a ring of heritage around the historic heart of the city.

The gates and their surroundings add to the character and appeal of the old city. The markets and resturants near the gates are some of the most lively spots in the city of Lahore. The restoration work on the gates and the Royal Trail has led to the revival of this heritage. It attracts tourists from all across the nation and even internationally, which gives prestige to the city of Lahore.

The gates are part of what makes the Walled City such a rewarding place to explore. They provide a way of understanding the layout and life of the old city. For anyone getting to know Lahore, the gates are among the landmarks that capture the depth of its history. They remain a living link to the age when the old city was enclosed within its great wall.

Visiting the gates

The gates of the old city are among the most rewarding sights in Lahore. They can be visited as part of a wider exploration of the Walled City. The Delhi Gate is the best starting point, as it marks the entrance to the restored Royal Trail and the heart of the heritage area.

The gate areas are best explored on foot. The lanes of the old city are narrow and often too tight for cars. Walking allows visitors to reach the gates, admire their surroundings and sample the food and markets of each neighbourhood. A guided walk helps visitors find the surviving gates and understand their history. The Walled City of Lahore Authority runs guided tours of the old city.

The gates are reached easily from across Lahore. The old city sits in the historic core of the city, accessible by car, taxi, rickshaw or ride hailing service to the edge of the quarters. The Orange Line metro and the Metro Bus serve parts of the wider area. Parking is best found near the main gates, with the rest of the exploration on foot.

The cooler months from around October to March offer the most comfortable time to explore the gates on foot. The evenings are especially lively around the food areas of the Bhati and Lohari gates. Visitors are asked to respect the neighbourhoods, the mosques and the homes of the residents. They should help keep the old city clean. A walk through the gates and the old city is one of the most memorable experiences in Lahore.

Places near the gates of Lahore

The gates of Lahore ring an area rich in landmarks and useful places. This helps visitors plan a fuller trip. The Delhi Gate leads to the Wazir Khan Mosque and the Shahi Hammam. The Roshnai Gate stands beside the Lahore Fort and the Badshahi Mosque. The tomb of Allama Iqbal rests nearby in the Hazuri Bagh. The Fort Road food street is close to the fort.

The Kashmiri Gate leads to the Kashmiri Bazaar and the Azam Cloth Market. The Akbari Gate stands near the Akbari Mandi, one of the largest wholesale markets in the city. Data Darbar, the shrine of Data Ganj Bakhsh, lies just outside the old city. Minar e Pakistan and the Greater Iqbal Park lie nearby. Mayo Hospital, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and the King Edward Medical University serve the central area. These connections make the gates the entry points to a full tour of historic Lahore.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Delhi Gate located? The Delhi Gate stands on the eastern side of the Walled City of Lahore. It once opened towards Delhi. It leads to the Wazir Khan Mosque and a large cloth market and marks the start of the restored Royal Trail to the Lahore Fort.

How many gates did the Walled City have? The Walled City of Lahore once had thirteen gates. These were the Akbari, Bhati, Delhi, Kashmiri, Lohari, Masti, Mori, Mochi, Roshnai, Shahalmi, Sheranwala, Taxali and Yakki gates. Only a handful survive today.

Which gates of Lahore still survive? A handful of the original thirteen gates survive, including the Delhi Gate, the Roshnai Gate, the Bhati Gate, the Kashmiri Gate, the Lohari Gate and the Sheranwala Gate. The Roshnai Gate near the Badshahi Mosque is the oldest surviving gate.

Why were the gates built? The gates were built mainly for defence, to protect the residents of the old city from invaders. They pierced the great wall around the city and controlled who entered and left. They were closed at night for security. Most date from the era of the Emperor Akbar.

What happened to the gates that are gone? The British demolished the walls and most of the gates after 1857. Several were later rebuilt. Some were lost forever. The Shahalmi Gate burned down in the riots of 1947. The Akbari Gate was demolished and never rebuilt. Others, such as the Masti and Taxali gates, no longer survive.

What is special about the areas around the gates? Each gate area developed its own character and specialities over the centuries. The Bhati and Lohari gate areas are famous for food. The Kashmiri Gate leads to a great cloth market. The Delhi Gate leads to the Wazir Khan Mosque and the Royal Trail.

The Delhi Gate and the historic gates of Lahore are among the most cherished features of the old city. The Delhi Gate, once opening towards the Mughal capital, leads to the Wazir Khan Mosque and marks the start of the restored Royal Trail. It is one of a ring of thirteen gates that once pierced the great wall of the Walled City, each with its own name, character and story.

The gates tell the story of how the old city lived, traded and defended itself over the centuries. Though only a handful survive today, they remain a living link to the age when the old city was enclosed within its wall. The surviving gates anchor the liveliest neighbourhoods of the old city, from the food streets of the Bhati and Lohari gates to the cloth markets of the Kashmiri and Delhi gates. Whether you explore the gates for their history, their architecture or the markets and food around them, they remain essential landmarks of Lahore and the gateways to the heart of the historic city.