Kashmiri Gate is one of the original fourteen gates built into the wall to the north of the city. It was built by the British in 1835 by Major Robert Smith. Local people also call it as Truckman gate. It has a square plan. There are two openings of the gate – one for entry and another for exit (pictured). During 1835, the British enlarged and straightened it into a two way gate as defensive measure against enemy attacks. In the present city setting, the gate is close to the Inter State Bus Terminals. It is now preserved as monument on the road to the Old Secretariat and the Delhi University. It was named as Kashmiri Gate since it was used by the Emperors to go through this gate on their visits to Kashmir and North India. It was also the historic venue of the intense fighting which took place in 1857, between the British army and the Indian freedom fighters. The fortifications of this gate were used to fire cannons at the British army encamped at Ludlow Castle. The freedom fighters gathered at a place close to the St. James Church to discuss war strategy. British troops fought fiercely at this gate and re– captured the city from mutinous Indian soldiers. During the war, the gate was badly damaged by the British to get control over Delhi. Subsequently, area surrounding the Kashmiri Gate became the commercial hub of Delhi, when the Civil Lines were developed by the British.
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