Why in News?
- Turkman Gate has re-entered public discourse due to:
- Renewed interest in Delhi’s Mughal-era urban heritage.
- Contemporary debates on historical memory of the Emergency (1975–77).
- Often cited as a symbolic site associated with Emergency-era excesses, especially in urban Delhi.
Relevance
- GS-1 | Modern Indian History
- Emergency (1975–77), urban history of Delhi
- GS-1 | Art & Culture
- Mughal-era urban architecture, heritage of Shahjahanabad
Historical Background
- Built in the 17th century during the reign of Shah Jahan.
- Part of the fortified city of Shahjahanabad.
- One of the historic gateways controlling entry into Old Delhi.
- Named after Shah Turkan, associated with local Sufi traditions.
- Cultural-religious significance:
- Site linked to the tomb of Shah Turkan.
- Popular belief associates the area with Razia Sultana (burial traditions).
Urban Context (Pre-Emergency)
- Area developed into:
- Dense residential settlement over centuries.
- Mixed-use neighbourhood with markets and small trades.
- Surroundings reflected organic urban growth, typical of medieval Indian cities.
Turkman Gate During the Emergency (1975–77)
- Emergency imposed under Indira Gandhi.
- Turkman Gate emerged as a major flashpoint in Delhi.
- Area targeted under:
- Slum clearance.
- Urban “beautification” and road-widening drives.
- Strong local resistance turned the site into:
- One of the most remembered urban episodes of the Emergency.
Symbolic Significance
- Represents:
- The intersection of heritage, population, and state power.
- How historic urban spaces became arenas for Emergency-era policies.
- Frequently referenced in:
- Academic works.
- Journalism.
- Oral histories of Delhi.
