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Diwan I Khas Hall Of Private Audience

Audience Of Gems, Gold, Silver, And More

Diwan-i-Khas is constructed within the famous Red Fort of Delhi city. It is also called Hall of Private Audience. This is the place where the Emperor conducted meetings with high ranking officials and heads of state. The place has high tourist significance due to the grandeur in its structure and interiors.

The Red Fort was constructed in 1639 by the 5th Emperor of Mughals, Shahjahan, who also built one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Taj Mahal.

Diwan-i-Khas is a plush castle, which was the private darbar of the Mughals. Only ministers, army of chiefs, and other high profile staff was allowed inside. The place was forbidden for commoners. The place was constructed chiefly to render a favorable atmosphere for important and royal meetings.

History

Earlier, Diwan-i-Khas featured two enclosures on the west. One was for the nobles. The other was for those of a lower rank. The enclosures were done away with after the Mutiny. During this time, Bahadur Shah II held court in the Hall of Private Audience.

The peacock throne of Diwan-i-Khas is special. Mughal Emperors used this throne during their reign. The interior of this building was said to be embellished with jewels of various kinds. Even today, visitors can find empty holes in walls where the precious gems were embedded.

According to historical reports, columns and walls of the entire Diwan-i-Khas were constructed with white marble. It is said that the ceiling was furbished with silver. Gems were embedded on columns. All this created a royal ambience.

The luxurious beauty of Diwan-i-Khas inspired Amir Khusrau, an eminent poet, to write a quote on one of the walls of the building. The quote reads: “If there be a paradise on the earth, it is this, it is this, it is this.”

Architecture

Diwan-i-Khas is a rectangular chamber featuring high-arched openings. They are engraved artistically. Piers, which are decorated with floral designs, support the arches.

At the center of the building is the much talked about Peacock Throne. The throne was looted in 1739 by Nadir Shah. The Stream of Paradise or Nahr-i-Bihisht flowed through the center. The corner arches of the hall featured inscriptions from Ferdowsi, a famous Persian poet of the 9th century.

The ceiling, originally featuring silver and gold, was stripped bare by Marathas and Jats to resolve their financial crisis. The current ceiling of Diwan-i-Khas was fabricated in 1911.

Timings: Sunrise to sunset
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Delhi city is from October to March. Summers are hot and humid.

How to Reach

The Indira Gandhi International Airport of Delhi is located 22 kms from the center of the city. It is well connected to major cities of India and abroad. The headquarters of Northern Railways is Delhi. There are five chief stations viz; Old Delhi Railway Station, New Delhi Railway Station, Anand Vihar Railway Terminal, Nizamuddin Railway Station, and Sarai Rohilla Railway Station.

Visitors can avail themselves of Delhi metro service, cab service, auto rickshaw service, and DTC bus service within the city.

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