As Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav announced to install gates on the roads of Bhopal in the name of great personalities associated with the history of the State, including Lord Ram and Lord Krishna, the older gates of the city stand seeming on their last legs crying for attention of authorities. One among them is the Moti Mahal gate which narrates the story of grandeur and neglect. Standing tall from the Nawab era, the gate is now in ruins. Designed in the Islamic style of architecture, it lies adjacent to Moti Mahal. The colour of the gate seems bleached off. The problem here is not as simple as it seems. The walls of the gate have developed deep cracks and are completely broken from inside. Looking at the gate, it seems that it is the perfect example of the extent of negligence from the concerned officials. The place is now at the helm of spider webs and insects. Black spots have come all over the place which serve as the testimonial to the kind of attention the place gets.

 

The whole structure seems dilapidated. Encroachments are rampant at the place. “It is feared that looking at the present condition, it will be inducted into dilapidated structures by the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) and will be razed off citing security concerns.” A citizen alleged while seeking anonymity. Ironically, even he was not aware of the name of the gate and mentioned this while tagging it as an “important monument.” The gate is also visible from the VIP road and the Upper Lake or Bhojtaal, which as per many is the pride of the city. “The gate was once a great monument and is situated in the most reputed locality of the city. But is now in despair.” Rashid Noor Khan, city-based activist said. Notably, Moti Mahal Gate has a cusped arch opening which resembles to Islamic style of architecture. The upper part consists of arched space for the Chobdars (drummers) to announce the coming and going of the Nawab. The top parapet has a crown with finials and a jail of brick.

 

The whole gate is in an Islamic style made in a combination of stone and bricks. The gate presents itself in the middle of the architectural buildings of the city, which can take an explorer to the past times. It is located near to Moti Mosque, Bab e Sikandari, Sheesh Mahal, Iqbal Maidan, Shaukat Mahal, Gohar Mahal and Sadar Manzil and was an important chapter in the history of the ‘Begums’ of Bhopal. As CM Dr Yadav has now announced to build new gates, he should also look into such gates where a significant portion of the history of the city has been washed off or will be in the coming years, if not taken seriously. To inform, not just this, various other gates like Shahjehanabad gate and others are also in a similar state. 

 

People unaware of historic monuments! Another fear that haunts is that the monument has been so neglected and sidelined that even the locals operating their businesses there, are not even aware of the name of the gate. “Mujhe nahi pata.” (I don’t know) said a tea seller there. Not just him, a significant number of denizens who visit the area daily are not aware of the whereabouts of the structure. As evident, the imprints of the historical legacy of the city are on the verge of extinction from the minds of the people.