Delhi was the centre of the Uprising of 1857. As a result, the area around the Mughal capital of Shahjahanabad is full of landmarks of the revolt. This heritage walk beings at Nicholson’s Cemetery, named after the British general who was fatally wounded fighting the rebels. His grave lies in the cemetery. The cemetery has several contemporary graves, one of the most prominent being that of Master Ramachandra, of Delhi College fame. The trail then continues into the fortified area of the former capital of Delhi. The Kashmiri Gate stands testimony to the battles of 1857. It is the point from where the Indian rebels stood to defend themselves from the British siege. The breaking of the defenses at Kashmiri Gate, turned the tide in British favour and they soon overtook the city of Delhi. Before 1857, the neighbourhood around here had residences of prominent officials of East India Company. Some traces of these still remain. Walking through the market here, one can see the Lal Masjid also known as the Fakhrul Masajid and the old Hindu College & old St. Stephen’s College buildings. St. James Church, the oldest church in Delhi, stands tall, across the road. It was built by James Skinner, in thanksgiving, when he survived wounds suffered in a battle. A little ahead is the British Residency, built on the remains of Dara Shukoh’s library. They are now part of a university campus. There are some interesting landmarks of 1857 Uprising on Lothian road too. On an island in the middle of the road is the telegraph memorial and remains of the British magazine. At the end of the road lies the Lothian road cemetery, which has some of the oldest British burials in the city.

(posted by Kanika Singh & Pushpa, team members, Delhi Heritage Walks)

1857 Uprising: Kashmiri Gate Heritage Walk