Naqqar Khana & Shahjahani Gate – Ceremonial Drum House of Ajmer Dargah

Shahjahani Darwaza / Naqqarkhana-e-Shah Jahani (Imperial Drum House)

Dargah historians attribute this gateway as a monument of the Shah Jahani era, hence its popular name Naqqarkhana-e-Shah Jahani. Although conflicting records note construction dates of 1047 AH and 1065 AH, the gateway’s architectural style contradicts these dates, as no building from Shah Jahan’s era matches this layout or construction pattern.

Furthermore, historical records show that in Ramadan 982 AH (December 1574 CE), after the conquest of Bengal, Emperor Akbar visited Ajmer and presented two Naqqaras (kettledrums) to the Dargah Sharif drum house. Mulla Abdul Qadir Badauni writes:

“A pair of Dawoodi kettledrums were presented to the drum house of Hazrat Moiniah.”

This proves that the drum house existed prior to Shah Jahan’s reign.