Photo Feature

Time travel through Delhi’s rustic doors

Published by
Mohd Shehwaaz Khan

Old Delhi was once dotted with palaces, havelis, gardens, water bodies and avenues. But everything changed when apartments and urban architecture appeared on the scene. Today, what remains of the old city’s ambience are the ruins or the reconstructions that give away the reflections of history. 

The doors, along with windows and taaks, are one such elements that takes you to the time when they were more than just a portal of entry. They are intricately decorated and thoughtfully carved. Some of them are exquisitely colored: bright yellow, bridal red, and shining blue. Primarily made of solid wood, they are accompanied by the frame of a taak above or beside them.

Tucked inside the congested alleys and mohallas, these doors provide a sense of drama to an otherwise mundane urban life. They seek an immediate attention to their architectural beauty and ‘photogenic’ facade. 

Interestingly, some of these doors are a combination of both modern panels and traditional frames. The frames of such doors remain as earlier, but the panels have been replaced. Many of them are accompanied by three elevated doors on the sideways. A walk though the old city brings you across several such entrances to the history and evolution of the place.

Some of them have colorful floral designs of yellow and green.

Others do not have many colors yet steal the show.

 

One looks like a door of a Church, but then you see the image of Ganesh carved out on top.

Then there are the elevated ones opening to a platform.

 

And of course, the intricately decorated frames.

Many have windows on each side.

Some have their panels replaced.

What about havelis that have been turned into schools?

We must not forget these small ones that did not demand much attention.

 

For more stories that cover the ongoings of Delhi NCR, follow us on:
Instagram: instagram.com/thepatriot_in/
Twitter: twitter.com/Patriot_Delhi
Facebook: facebook.com/Thepatriotnewsindia

Mohd Shehwaaz Khan

Mohd Shehwaaz Khan is a journalist based in New Delhi. He won Laadli Media Award 2023 for best feature in print

Published by
Mohd Shehwaaz Khan

Recent Posts

Delhi HC says Delhi has become ‘mandi’ for child trafficking, seeks police’s response on PIL

Court flags rampant child trafficking in the capital, seeks responses from police, railways and child…

April 1, 2026

45,000 ration cards scrapped in Delhi in over a year; AI use to identify bogus holders in pipeline

Over 45,000 ration cards were cancelled in Delhi in 14 months as authorities plan to…

April 1, 2026

Delhi Police faces 14,000 vacancies; 44 per cent shortfall at ACP-level posts: Govt in RS

Despite claims of adequate staffing and improved policing measures, the force continues to grapple with…

April 1, 2026

‘Narratives in Transit’: Akanksha Patil’s solo art exhibition

Exploring migration, memory and displacement, Akanksha Patil’s Narratives in Transit traces the transformation of Shivangaon…

April 1, 2026

Delhi on high alert ahead of Hanuman Jayanti after LeT suspect’s arrest

Lone was arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on March 29. He…

April 1, 2026

Delhi Traffic Police cracks down on fake no-entry permits, FIRs registered

Authorities seized the vehicles and are identifying networks engaged in the preparation and distribution of…

April 1, 2026