About
Turkman Gate is a 17th-century Mughal-era monument in Old Delhi, built by Emperor Shah Jahan and named after the Sufi saint Shah Turkman Bayabani. It is historically significant as a site of violent demolitions during the Emergency in 1976 and remains a flashpoint in modern times due to disputes over encroachments near the Faiz-e-Ilahi mosque.
Historical Background
- Construction: Built in the 17th century under Shah Jahan’s reign, Turkman Gate was one of the southern gates of Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi).
- Name Origin: Named after Shah Turkman Bayabani, a 13th-century Sufi saint whose shrine lies nearby.
- Religious Landmark: The adjacent Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque, built in the 18th century, is central to the area’s identity and has often been at the heart of disputes.
Emergency-Era Violence (1976)
- Demolition Drive: On 31 May 1976, during Indira Gandhi’s Emergency, Turkman Gate became infamous when slums were bulldozed under Sanjay Gandhi’s urban renewal program.
- Casualties: Official records cite 6 deaths, but independent researchers estimate 12–20+ fatalities.
- Symbolism: The incident is remembered as a stark example of political repression and police brutality, with a media blackout following the massacre.
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