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

Golf’s ‘72 The League’ auction marks game-changing moment for the sport

Delhi hosted what organisers describe as the world’s first player auction in golf, launching ‘72…

February 20, 2026

‘My girl lay soaked in blood but no one stopped to help,’ recalls Janakpuri accident victim

An elderly woman recalls how her six-year-old granddaughter lay bleeding after a speeding car hit…

February 20, 2026

MCD plans unified policy for RWAs to adopt, maintain Delhi parks

Municipal Corporation of Delhi plans a unified policy enabling RWAs to adopt and maintain parks…

February 20, 2026

Delhi: Teenager ends life by jumping in front of moving rail at Uttam Nagar East Metro station

A 17-year-old boy allegedly died by suicide after jumping before a moving train at Uttam…

February 20, 2026

Delhi HC grants bail to Thar driver who mowed down two in Chanakyapuri

Delhi High Court grants bail to 26-year-old Thar driver accused of mowing down two in…

February 20, 2026

Delhi: Two arrested for fatally stabbing man in Rohini during robbery bid

Two Rohini men arrested for fatally stabbing one person and injuring another during a robbery…

February 20, 2026