Khooni Darwaza, which means “bloodstained door”, was constructed by Sher Shah Suri, who established the Sur Empire after defeating the second Mughal ruler Humayun. He ruled North India for 16 years before Humayun recaptured the throne. During the Mughal period, Khooni Darwaza became notorious for exhibiting decapitated heads of criminals. Emperor Aurangzeb even put his elder brother’s head on display here after he revolted against his father Shah Jahan. This was also the site where the British shot three Mughal princes’ in cold blood after the rebellion of 1857. Khooni Darwaza is a double-storeyed structure with an archway. It was built largely with grey stone but red stones were also used in the frames of its windows. You will really have to look for it on Mathura Road near Maulana Azad Medical College. Khooni Darwaza is today a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India. The gate is 15.5-metres (50.9-feet) high and built with Delhi quartzite stone. Three staircases lead to different levels of the gate, a perfectly innocent-looking structure that you are more than likely to miss while going down that road.
