Historical spots of North Delhi’s Kamla Nehru Ridge

North Delhi’s Ridge area, today, a haven for walkers and wild life, has several interesting historical places tucked away in different corners. Some of these, including the Chauburja Mosque and the Guard house go back two centuries and have stood the test of time. You could be a nature lover, a history buff, a bird lover, you would find plenty to attract you to this patch of Delhi’s lungs.
Flagstaff Tower Described as ‘bare, a stony furnace in the hot weather, and a mirror of heat for civilians and soldiers on either side’ by noted historian Percival Spear, the Flagstaff Tower, happens to be a prominent landmark in the Kamla Nehru Ridge. It is the highest point of the ridge and hence the best place to give you a sbird’s eye view of the surrounding area. The tower was built around 1828 by the British as a signal tower and sepoys were permanently stationed here to keep a watch on the northern expanse. At this point of time, a majority of Delhi’s population was contained within the precincts of the walled city. The monument played a major role during the uprising of 1857. The tower was renovated in the late 1990s and became more pedestrian friendly once this part of the ridge was made a motor-free zone.
Khooni Khan Jheel
Going by its dramatic name, this little pond should be an abode of the darker spirits. Instead, you will find ducks and cranes dipping into its cool waters and enjoying the shelter. Nevertheless, the Khooni Khan Jheel enjoys this very distinctive name owing to the role it played during the pre-1947 years. Since the North Delhi Ridge was an ideal place to provide cover to lurking enemies, it was also a place where intermittent battles and altercations broke out between a sepoy and an invader. Invariably, the unsuspecting waters of the pond became a dumping ground for many a body. The best way to go to the Jheel is from the St. Stephen’s side and not the Raj Pur Road entrance. Although the latter is a shorter way, it has many turns that require one to be well acquainted with the area. Some signages are also up at certain points to help one navigate.
Chauburja Mosque
To the south east of the Flagstaff Tower lies the Chauburja Mosque. This 14th century mosque was built by Feroze Shah Tughlaq. The mosque, a guard house and the remains of a 14th century baoli in the vicinity indicate that this area continued to play an important role even in the era preceding the colonia rule. The structure, however, is dilapidated and is in bad need of repair.