Lost Gates of Old Hyderabad - Darwazas & Khidkis

When Hyderabad was a fortified city, neighborhoods inside the walls were known as the city interior, while settlements outside formed the environs. The defensive wall was punctuated by 12 grand gates (Darwazas) and 12 smaller posterns (Khidkis) — a complete urban security system.

The Main Darwazas (City Gates)

Purana Pul Darwaza
Champa Darwaza
Dehli Darwaza
Chanderghat Darwaza
Dabirpura Darwaza
Yakhutpura Darwaza
Mir Jumla Darwaza
Gowlipura Darwaza
Lal Darwaza
Aliabad Darwaza
Fateh Darwaza
Doodh Baoli Darwaza

Later, during the reign of Nizam VI, two more were added: Pul Afzal Gunj Darwaza and Pul Musallam-Jung Darwaza.

Today, only Dabirpura Darwaza and Purana Pul Darwaza survive, the rest were dismantled as traffic grew and the city expanded.

Daily Life Around the Gates

The gates were closed every night at 8:00 PM and reopened at 4:30 AM. Anyone traveling late had to pass through the smaller Khidkis. Opening and closing times were signaled by gunshots, and every gate and postern had watchmen.

The Khidkis (Posterns)

These were smaller access points used for controlled movement:

Khidki Bavaheer
Khidki Mir Jumla
Khidki Mata
Khidki Rang Ali Shah
Bodla Khidki
Khidki Dar-us-Shifa (Rao Rambha)
Khidki Kalalaa
Khidki Gazer (Dhobian)
Khidki Hasan Ali
Khidki Champa Darwaza
Charmahal Ki Khidki
Kahaaron Ki Khidki

All Khidkis, like most gates, disappeared with the demolition of the city wall.

These Darwazas and Khidkis were not just entry points — they controlled trade, security, and daily rhythm of life in historic Hyderabad, especially during the early Asaf Jahi period, a time of political transition and urban change.