Much before it became Khooni Darwaza, the grand structure we just saw was called the Kabuli Darwaza, or the gate which faced Kabul. Even though it is not located near any of the existing ruins of the historical city, it is believed to have served as one of the northern gates of Sher Shah Suri’s city Shergarh. Historians believe that Kabuli darwaza was built by Sher Shah Suri in 1540 AD, and served as one of the gates to enter the city of Shergarh.[4]
Kabuli Gate gained the infamous title of Khooni Darwaza only in later times. Some historians opine that even during the time the Sher Shah Suri, the heads of criminals were displayed at the Kabuli Gate. But there is no documented proof of this.
However, the first documented proof of bloodshed at Kabuli gate was during the time of Jahangir. Jahangir was the son of Mughal emperor Akbar, who succeeded him. His ascension was not accepted by some of the nine jewels (navratnas) of Akbar’s court. As a power tactic, Jahangir got the sons of one of the navratnas, Abdul Rahim Khan-i-khana, executed and their bodies were left at Kabuli Darwaza to rot.
Some years later, in yet another succession battle, Shah Jahan’s son Aurangzeb displayed the head of his brother Dara Sikhoh at the Kabuli Darwaza.
While there is some debate about this, it is said that the gate saw another spate of bloodshed during Nadir Shah’s attack on Delhi. However, many historians believe that this incident happened at another similarly named location in Shahjahanabad (known as Purani Dilli these days).
The moment when Kabuli Darwaza entered the annals of history as Khooni Darwaza came on 22nd September 1857. After the last Mughal Emperor of India Bahadur Shah Zafar surrendered, his family members were being transported from Humayun’s Tomb by British Officer Major William Hodson. During this transportation, Major Hodson reported that he was surrounded by hundreds of protesting Indians. As a way of defending himself and his soldiers, he ordered the sons of Bahadur Shah Zafar, Mirza Mughal and Mirza Khizr Sultan and his grandson, Mirza Abu Bakht, to strip naked. The three men were then shot dead by Major Hodson, and their bodies were put on public display in Chandni Chowk for three days.[5]