Kotwali Gate, Medieval border gate in Malda District, India
Kotwali Gate is a medieval structure in Malda that features a central arched opening framed by two semi-circular towers on either side. The gateway stands at the historical boundary between India and Bangladesh and continues to function as an important crossing between the two countries.
This gate served as the southern entrance to the ancient city of Gaur during the Bengal Sultanate period, when multiple rulers held power over this important regional center. The structure reflects the defensive and administrative needs of a major settlement during medieval times.
The gate takes its name from Kotwal, the chief administrative officer, and marks the traditional boundary that once separated the ancient city from surrounding territories. Visitors can still sense how this threshold shaped the organization of daily life in the old settlement.
The gate is easiest to reach on foot and sits directly in the active border crossing zone, where visitors can observe current crossing activity. Early morning visits offer better visibility and fewer crowds, making it easier to examine the structure and surroundings.
In the 1860s, John Henry Ravenshaw photographed this structure and created one of the earliest visual records of the border installation. These historical images reveal architectural details that are no longer visible in the present-day gate.
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