Kashmiri Gate is one of the 14 gates of the walled city of
Delhi. During the revolt of 1857, the gate was attacked and bombed by the
British, in an attempt to enter and take over Delhi. Before the attack, it was
used as a gateway for people who wished to visit Kashmir. The main gate was huge and was meant for the
exclusive use of the royalty; the common man had to use the smaller gates on
the side. The special gates would be opened just for the royal entourage to pass
through. Dancers would dance for the king for around 10 kilometres of the way
to wish him luck on his journey.
Classes 6 and 7 learned all of this and more on the Itihaas
trip organized by the school. The study tour was related to the historic sites
associated with the Revolt of 1857.
Our tour began with a visit to the Nicholson Cemetery,
situated on the outskirts of the walled city. Our guide gave us a brief history
about the Revolt and about the cemetery.
Then we walked into the walled city and examined the
Kashmiri Gate from both sides. We explored the whole place. We were shown
pictures of how the gate looked before the bombing and we were able to see all
the damage the British had done. They had blown apart the bridge; the moat is
now covered up, but we noticed the water was still inside. We learnt many other
things about the wall and the gates eg the kind of bricks used, so we were able
to identify the parts that had been restored because the new bricks were
different; they were thicker.
We also visited parts of the walled city, including the
haveli of the owners of Modern School, built in the nineteenth century. Some of
the old tiles and wood work still looked
as good as new; the old site of St Stephen’s College; and the first
church to be built in Delhi, St Jame’s Church.
The Itihaas trip was wonderful; we learnt a lot and, of
course, we had lots of fun.
Chahana Bansal and Anya Lauria
Form 7A
