In the heart of Madhya Pradesh, nestled within the historic town of Chanderi, stands a colossal monument of both historical ambition and tragic folklore: the Kati Ghati Gateway. This gateway was crafted from a single, massive rock, stretching 80 feet high and 39 feet wide. It’s intriguing to think that a film like Stree, which stirs up ghostly tales and eerie happenings, was set in a fictional town named Chanderi. But the real story behind Kati Ghati is a blend of historical ambition and tragic folklore that is far more chilling than any cinematic creation.
The Haunting Tale Behind Chanderi’s Kati Ghati
Kati Ghati Chanderi, a monument that will surely satiate your curiosity for everything strange and mysterious. It has a massive passage cut into the rock dating back to the 15th century, a missing gate, a desolate road winding through the hills.#StreeMoviescene shot here pic.twitter.com/TML060KPM5
— Abhiijit Patil (@abhijitppatil29) August 18, 2024
The Kati Ghati Gateway was commissioned in 1495 AD by Jiman Khan, son of Sher Khan, the then Governor of Chanderi. This massive rock-cut gateway was meant to be a grand entrance to welcome the Sultan of Malwa. The task of cutting through a solid rock face to create this gateway was nothing short of Herculean, especially considering the tools and technology of the era.
The story takes a dark turn when the man who undertook the task finishes the gateway, only to find that it is incomplete. The gateway, towering 80 feet high and 39 feet wide, had been carved with meticulous precision, but it was devoid of a crucial element: a door. This oversight left Chanderi vulnerable, as the gateway now served as an open passage, exposing the town to potential invaders.
The realisation that his monumental effort had inadvertently jeopardised Chanderi’s security was too much for the mason to bear. Overcome with grief and shame, he took his own life, and his remains were interred near the gateway.
A Grand Entrance With A Tragic Twist
Kati ghati, Chanderi fort, MP.
Babur attacked Chanderi fort, ruled by Raja Maidini Ray. The Mughals surrounded the fort but couldn’t enter, so raja’s one traitor minister told him about the weak valley/wall of fort, mughals cut the pointed valley in one night & entered the fort. pic.twitter.com/9yRIekKw92
— Indian Art (@IndiaArtHistory) February 15, 2019
Local legend has it that the mason’s spirit continued to haunt the gateway, his spectral presence serving as a grim reminder of the tragic flaw in his otherwise monumental achievement. For many years, the locals thought that the mason’s ghost would remain at the gateway, obstructing the entrance like a missing door.
The 2018 Hindi film Stree brought renewed attention to Chanderi. The film’s eerie plot revolves around a witch who abducts men, leaving only their clothes behind. While Stree was filmed in Chanderi and Bhopal, its story is a fictional horror that draws inspiration from various folklore.
Interestingly, Stree’s chilling narrative is loosely based on the Kannada legend of “Nale Ba” or “Come Tomorrow.” This folk tale involves a ghost that knocks on doors at night, prompting villagers to write “Nale Ba” on their doors to ward off the spirit.
So, while the supernatural elements popularised by films like Stree may draw crowds, the true essence of Kati Ghati lies in its historical context and the sombre legend that gives it a unique, if somewhat eerie, character.
Cover Image Courtesy: Arjun Kumar/X