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 Police rescue man attempting to jump from ISBT Kashmere Gate building

Delhi Police personnel averted a tragedy by rescuing a man who was attempting to jump…

June 21, 2026

PWD undertakes city-wide pothole repair drive ahead of monsoon

Special teams deployed across Delhi to address remaining potholes and prepare roads for the monsoon…

June 21, 2026

NEET-UG retest held at over 5,400 centres in India, abroad amid tight security

Over 22 lakh aspirants appeared for the medical entrance retest, conducted under enhanced surveillance after…

June 21, 2026

Delhi: 21-year-old man arrested for online rental scam

Gurugram man held for allegedly facilitating an online rental scam that duped a Delhi flat…

June 21, 2026

6,000 people take part in NDMC’s Yoga Day events across Delhi

Around 6,000 people joined NDMC's Yoga Day events across Delhi, promoting yoga for health and…

June 21, 2026

Delhi court acquits five in house-trespass, assault case

Court cites contradictory witness accounts, lack of evidence in granting acquittal to all five accused

June 21, 2026