India, June 13 -- Place-names in Purani Dilli, belonging to streets, mohallas, and markets, are fiercely individualistic. They preserve memories of occupations, vanished landmarks or long-forgotten patrons. Sometimes, a place acquires identity without acquiring a proper name. Take "Jama Masjid Gate No. 1".

The phrase has become a part of the Walled City vernacular. Two distinct places share this same label. First is Gate No. 1 of Jama Masjid, one of the three gateways of the iconic landmark. The other is Gate No. 1 of the underground Jama Masjid Metro station. One gate serves visitors to the 17th century monument; the other serves commuters of the 21st century transport system.

Gate No. 1 of Jama Masjid forms the southern gateway of the...