Indo Islamic Heritage
Approach: 100 meters from Turkman Gate on the west. Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport Railway Station: Old Delhi Railway Station Bus Station: Turkman Gate Nearest Metro Station: Delhi Gate Metro Station
Phatak Teliyan is a historic gateway located in the old walled city of Shahjahanabad (present-day Old Delhi). The word “Phatak” means gate or gateway, while “Teliyan” likely refers to a community traditionally involved in the trade or production of oil (tel meaning oil in Hindi/Urdu). As such, the name “Phatak Teliyan” may indicate the gate’s association with an area historically inhabited or frequented by oil pressers or traders. While smaller and less monumental than gates like Turkman Gate or Ajmeri Gate, Phatak Teliyan served as an important neighborhood entry point, providing controlled access between different residential or commercial zones in the Mughal city. Such gates were often used to manage security, movement of goods, and social boundaries within the urban fabric of Shahjahanabad. These structures typically featured arched openings, made from traditional materials like lakhori bricks, lime plaster, and in some cases, red sandstone. The architectural style was simple yet functional, influenced by the broader Indo-Islamic tradition. Over time, Phatak Teliyan, like many other such gates, became surrounded by urban development. It may have been modified or absorbed into surrounding buildings, but it still retains local cultural and historical value. Today, Phatak Teliyan stands as a symbol of the everyday life and organization of Mughal-era neighborhoods, offering a glimpse into the social and architectural patterns that once defined Delhi's historic core.
Year of Built: 15th - 16th Century
Address: Opposite 1780,Turkman Gate
Country: India
State: Delhi
District: Central Delhi
Pincode: 110006
Longitude: 79 13 51
Latitude: 28 38 39