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The Diwan-i-Khas in the Red Fort
Diwan-i-Khas in the early 19th century

The Diwan-i-Khas, or Hall of Private Audiences, in the Red Fort of Delhi was the place where Mughal emperor received courtiers and state guests. It was also known as the Shah Mahal.[1]

A gate on the north side of the preceding Diwan-i-Am audience hall led to the innermost court of the palace called Jalau Khana and the Diwan-i-Khas.[2] Originally there existed on the west of the hall two enclosures, one for the nobles and the other for those of lower rank.[1] These arcaded courts were destroyed after the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

It measures 90 x 67 feet.[3] It consists of a rectangular central chamber, surrounded by a series of arches rising from marble piers. The lower parts of the piers are inlaid with floral designs, while the upper portions are gilded and painted. The four corners of the roof are surmounted by pillared chhatri.[1]

The ceiling, which was originally inlaid with silver and gold, was stripped bare by successive financial crisis of the empire by the Jats or Marattas. The current ceiling was painted in 1911. A smaller imperial throne once stood on the marble pedestal in this hall.[1] Sir Purdon Clarke, Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, obtained a marble pedestal from the Peacock Throne in 1908.[4] The French traveller Jean-Baptiste Tavernier described five smaller thrones with four on each corner and one in the middle.[5]

Through the centre of the hall flowed the Stream of Paradise (Nahar-i-Bihisht). The building used to have red awnings, or shamianas.[6] Over the corner-arches of the northern and southern walls below the cornice is inscribed the verse of Amir Khusrow: "If there be a paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this."[1]

Recent restoration work has redone some panels of inlay, and also reproduced the gilded pattern on one of the pillars fronting the hall.

In the river-bed below the hall and the connected buildings was the space known as zer-jharokha, or "beneath the lattices".

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Diwan-i-Khas of Red Fort". Archaeological Survey of India. 2011. Retrieved 2013-12-09.
  2. ^ http://www.archive.org/stream/handbooktravelle00john#page/196
  3. ^ http://www.archive.org/stream/handbooktravelle00john#page/196
  4. ^ "INDIAN TREASURE FOR METROPOLITAN - Sir Purdon Clarke Has Purchased Pedestal of Peacock Throne of Great Mogul. MARVEL IN INLAID MARBLE Has Been Trying to Get the Relic for Years - Price Paid One-Tenth of Original Offer". New York Times. 1908-07-26. Retrieved 2013-12-09.
  5. ^ https://archive.org/stream/travelsinindia01tavegoog#page/n464
  6. ^ "The Divan-i Khass in the Palace in the Delhi Fort". British Library. 2003-11-30. Retrieved 2013-12-09.

Media related to Diwan-i-Khas (Red Fort) at Wikimedia Commons


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