The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is set to restore the historic Delhi Gate in Najafgarh, with its heritage cell planning to soon appoint a consultant to assess the scope of work and estimate the cost.
The move follows a representation by councillor Amit Kharkhari, who flagged the deteriorating condition of the notified heritage structure and called for urgent conservation measures.
The gate is one of three sites in the capital by the name of Delhi Gate; the others being one near Ansari Road in central Delhi and another within Red Fort.
Built by Mirza Najaf Khan, commander-in-chief of Mughal emperor Shah Alam II, in 1770, the structure in Najafgarh once formed part of a larger township.
“The gate faced Delhi and thus got its name. It was part of a settlement with multiple entry points. While the structure is not completely dilapidated, its inner portion has begun to deteriorate,” an MCD official said.
“As part of the restoration, we may also undertake greening work in the surrounding area to highlight the site. While old people living in the periphery of this gate are aware of its history, it is important that the new generation gets to know the value of this place. Restoration efforts will certainly give it a new lease of life,” the official added.
During a recent visit to the site, corporation officials identified an old well and a mosque near the police station. However, it remains unclear which of the structures once served as the fort and residence of Najaf Khan.
As part of a preliminary assessment, an archaeologist recently inspected the site, which carries additional historical significance.
A plaque bears inscriptions on white marble commemorating locals who fought in World War I, including those who lost their lives.
“Such places were known as ‘zilas’; the British recorded the number of World War I participants at these sites. In Mehrauli, similar inscriptions exist on the boundary wall of an old dispensary, while in Badli, a plaque is found in a structure that housed a kachahari (courthouse) more than 150 years ago,” the official said.
Located amid a bustling market in southwest Delhi, Delhi Gate today offers little indication of its multilayered past. The Battle of Najafgarh was fought on Aug 25, 1857, here during the First War of Independence. British forces led by Brigadier John Nicholson defeated a large contingent of Indian sepoys who were attempting to disrupt the siege of Delhi.
In a letter dated April 23, Kharkhari said visible structural damage and deterioration were noted during MCD inspections in 2023-24. He urged authorities to take up time-bound repairs to prevent further decay and preserve the monument’s legacy.
“The place was last restored in 2007, but tiles were installed on the outside. We want it to be restored with original material. While the front of this gate looks alright, inside, the structure is in a dire state. Eight rooms constructed inside the gate are locked and dilapidated. While other historical gates in Najafgarh have already lost their identity with time, we don’t want this place to turn into ruins,” said Kharkhari.
Though the gate was renamed Vaid Kishan Lal Dwar, the original name — Delhi Gate — lingers in public memory.
