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Location: Just opposite Gurdwara Sisganj on the edge of the street leading to Old Delhi Railway Station
Famous as: Bhai Mati Das Chowk
Time to Visit: Open on all days
Preferred Timings: Sunrise to sunset
Admission Fee: Free and open to all.
Photography charges: nil
How to Reach: Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach this chowk, or they can hire auto-rickshaws and taxis or take the metro rail.
Nearest Railway Station: Old Delhi Railway Station
Nearest Metro Station: Delhi Main
Functional Metro Station: Delhi Main
Nearest International Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport
Time required for sightseeing: 15 minutes
(All data as of July 2005)
Popularly known as Bhai Mati Das Chowk or 'fowara' (meaning fountain), Fountain Chowk is located just opposite Gurdwara Sisganj on the edge of the street leading to Old Delhi Railway Station. It has a Victorian-period fountain, which was earlier called as Northbrook Fountain because Lord Northbrook donated money for its construction.
It was on this site that Bhai Mati Das, a disciple of Guru Tegh Bahadur was sawn in half, lengthwise, because he refused to adopt Islam and adhere to the order of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Thereafter the Chowk is called as Bhai Mati Das Chowk in memory of the great disciple.
The Chowk is very near to the original Kotwali, the police station that functioned here since the Mughal period. Anyone accused of a crime was brought here in custody and was given trial. The dead bodies of the sons and grandsons of the last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, were also displayed here. Many martyrs and freedom fighters, such as the King of Ballabhgarh and Nawab of Jhajjar, were also hung here, protesting against British rule. At present, the Kotwali area is under the Gurdwara Sisganj Management Committee.
Nearby Tourist Attractions: Gurdwara Sisganj, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Salimgarh Fort, Kashmeri Gate, St James Church, Dara Shikoh Library, Lothian Cemetery, and Rajghat
Nearby Places to Eat: Karim Hotel, Ghantewala sweet shop, food stalls near Jama Masjid, Paranthewali Gali, Natraj hotel, Chor Bizarre of Broadway Hotel, Daryaganj's Flora, Peshwari, Moti Mahal Restaurant, Worker's canteen of Inter-State Bus terminal and many roadside food stalls for the adventurous eater.
Nearby Shopping Venues: Chandni Chowk (curios, souvenirs, silver and glass bead jewelry) Nai Sarak (books), Chor bazaar (electronic goods), Daryaganj book market (on Sunday) and Chatta Chowk in Red Fort (traditional and contemporary jewelry and handicrafts)
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