Dakhin, Dakhshini, Southern Gate, Killa Nizamat, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India.
Murshidabad is a favorite place of tourists for its historicity and monuments. Almost all the historical monuments are maintained by the Department of Archeology.
Qila Nizamat is a major attraction among tourists. And there are huge gates to reach this spectacular Qila, one of which is the southern gate or Dakshini Darwaza.
It was built by Syed Ahmed Ali Khan who was from Najafi dynasty and was the son of Babur Ali Khan. His reign was quite short for three years from 1821 to 1824 AD. He was titled as Ihtisham Ud Daulla and Wala Jah. This is a grand and magnificent double storey gate whose upper storey was used as Naubat Khana. Which can be accessed by the two flights of stairs provisioned either side.
The massive gate is based on three arches and the entire structure is rectangular. The outer edges of the entrance arches are decorated by stucco. There are three decorated windows on either side of the gate, which are closed with jaalis of beautiful figures. There were full security arrangements at this gate. On the upper storey just above the arched gate there are three arches on either side. The roof of the first floor has minarets on the four corners and the roof of the second floor has eight minarets which are beautifully replicated on the walls built on the roof of the first floor. Upper storey roof is adorned with decorated parapet. This gate was special to go towards the palace.
This monument is a nationally protected monument, bricks and lime mortar were used in its construction which is based on Mughal and regional architecture. The decorative works by the stucco are wonderful and the reason for the attraction of tourists.
