RUMI DARWAZA

RUMI DARWAZA

The Rumi Darwaza, situated exterior to the northwest corner of the Asafi Imambada, presents a majestic portico whose isolated position paradoxically enhances its visual impact. The design, a truncated dome of monumental proportions, is obscured by an opulent overlay of carving and sculptural detail, rendering the original conception all but imperceptible. A modest doorway, surmounted by an arch attaining a height of nearly sixty feet, provides access to the gate.

Local tradition posits that the Rumi Darwaza, or Turkish Gate, is a faithful replica of the Sublime Porte, from which the Turkish capital derived its nomenclature. This imposing structure, faced with intricate leaf-like carvings on both sides, rises from the base to form a pointed arch, surmounted by a turret that completes the design.

Constructed from thin burnt clay bricks and lime-crushed brick aggregate mortar (Lakhori and Surkhi), materials prevalent during the 18th-century reign of the Nawabs, the gate has exquisite floral carvings and ornamented finials.  Notably, both the Rumi Darwaza and the Asafi Imambada were initiated during a period of devastating famine, with the intention of providing sustenance for the afflicted populace.

In recent times, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has undertaken extensive conservation and restoration efforts, thereby ensuring the gate’s structural integrity and preserving its status as a premier tourist attraction of the state.

The Rumi Darwaza was formally designated a centrally protected monument on December 22, 1920, via notification No. UP 1645-M/1133, solidifying its significance within the historical landscape.

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