Dakhil Darwaza

Dakhil Darwaza
Dakhil Darwaza
দাখিল দরওয়াজা
	Façade of the gate
	Location within West Bengal
General information
Type	Gate
Location	Gauda, Malda, West Bengal
Country	India
Coordinates	24°52′49″N 88°07′30″E / 24.880397°N 88.124875°E
Completed	1425; 600 years ago
Governing body	Archaeology of India
Height	14.95 m (49.0 ft)
Technical details
Material	Brick, Stone
Size	2306.25 m²
Monument of National Importance
Official name	Dakhil Darwaza
Reference no.	N-WB-87

Dakhil Darwaza, (Bengali: দাখিল দরওয়াজা, lit. 'Main gate') also known as Salami Darwaza, is a grand 15th-16th century gateway located in Gaur, Malda district, West Bengal, India. It served as the main northern entrance to the citadel of Lakhnauti, the capital of the Bengal Sultanate. Constructed primarily with red bricks and terracotta, often attributed to the Hussain Shahi dynasty (c. 1494-1538), it exemplifies the Bengal style of architecture, blending Islamic and regional elements. The gateway, also called Salami Darwaza due to cannons fired from it as a salute,^[1] remains a significant historical monument protected by the Archeological Survey of India.^[2]

History

Scholarly opinions on the Dakhil Darwaza’s date and patron differ. It is assumed that the gate was built by Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah (r. 1435–1459) in 1425 AD.^[1] Some attribute its construction to the early 15th century under the restored Ilyas Shahi dynasty. Others link it to a 1519 inscription crediting Nusrat Shah (r. 1519–1533) of the Husain Shahi dynasty, suggesting it was built as a ceremonial gateway connecting the Gaur citadel to the Baro Sona Mosque (1526), about one kilometer northeast.^[3]

Architecture

The gate is primarily constructed of brick, with stone facing on the piers between the doorways up to the arch springs. The structure measures 102.5 m (336 ft) in length and 22.5 m (74 ft) in width,^[a] featuring a central passage 4.5 m (15 ft) wide. Flanking the corridor are two guardrooms on each side, each measuring 22.7 by 2.9 m (74.5 by 9.5 ft). According to measurements by Alexander Cunningham, the gateway reaches a height of approximately 14.95 m (49.0 ft), with the main entrance arch rising to 10.35 m (34.0 ft). Other measurements indicates the exterior 18.5 m (61 ft) high.^[3] A smaller archway behind the wider arch leads to the vaulted passage. The architecture of Dakhil Darwaza resembles Baro Sona Mosque, Choto Sona Mosque and Adina Mosque.^[4]