Monument – Panchkuva Darwaja, Ahmedabad
Built by – Mahmud Begada
Built in – 1871

“Panchkuva Darwaja was built as a part of the second fortified wall built by Mahmud Begada during the expansion of the walled city. Built by the British, this is the last gate to be built in the city. Quaint streets bustling with local chatter, Panchkuva Darwaza stands out in the clutter. The burst of colour from the countless shopping carts around it interjects the subtlety of the stone-built wall and helps set it apart.

The word ‘Panchkuva’ connotes five wells. Perhaps there once were five wells in the vicinity of the Pachkuva Darwaja. A solitary vav remains today, located so close to this gateway that it looks like it is clinging to the gateway in a tight embrace. Given the proximity of the well to the gateway, it is quite probable that it was built to provide reprieve to the travellers.

The Panchkuva Darwaja is a sentinel of Ahmedabad. It stands strong as the last gateway of Ahmedabad.”

Photo Courtesy –  commons.wikimedia.org