Kotwali Darwaza
কোতোয়ালি দরজা
The broken southern gateway of medieval Gaur, standing right on the Bangladesh–India border.
At a glance
- Where
- Chapainawabganj district, Rajshahi division
- From Dhaka
- 315 km to Chapainawabganj by road, 8–10 hours by bus or car
- Best time
- winter (Dec–Jan), spring (Feb–Mar) and late autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Time needed
- About 1 h
Times and costs are estimates from our planner and the prices we collected. Check before you go.
Kotwali Darwaza was the southern gate of the walled city of Gaur, for long the capital of Bengal. Its name comes from the kotwal, the city's chief of police. The great central arch, once more than nine metres high, has fallen, but sections of the wall with small decorative arches and the bases of round towers still stand. Today the international border runs through it, dividing Chapainawabganj from Malda in India, so you see it from the Bangladesh side near the Sona Masjid area.
How to get there
Take a bus or CNG from Chapainawabganj town to Shibganj and on to the Sona Masjid area; ask locally for Kotwali Darwaza.
Good to know
This is a border zone: do not cross any markers, follow BGB instructions and carry your ID.
Where to stay in Chapainawabganj
Common questions
Where is Kotwali Darwaza?
Kotwali Darwaza is in Chapainawabganj district, Rajshahi division, Bangladesh. Chapainawabganj is about 315 km from Dhaka by road.
How do you get to Kotwali Darwaza from Dhaka?
First get to Chapainawabganj, roughly 8–10 hours from Dhaka by bus or car. Then: Take a bus or CNG from Chapainawabganj town to Shibganj and on to the Sona Masjid area; ask locally for Kotwali Darwaza.
When is the best time to visit Kotwali Darwaza?
The best time is winter (Dec–Jan), spring (Feb–Mar) and late autumn (Oct–Nov). Allow about 1 h for the visit.
