When you travel through the city of Delhi, you would be certainly reminded of the textbooks of Indian history. No wonder it is widely described as the most "historic" of Indian cities. The major reason for the historic feel of the city is the presence of proud monuments and architectural wonders built during the previous centuries, especially during the Mogul era. The city boasts plenty of buildings that bear testimony to the grandeur of Mogul architecture. Diwan-I-Khas is one such building that is renowned for its splendour and magnificence.
Diwan-I-Khas is part of Red Fort, which is one of the most famous landmarks in Delhi. Red Fort was built in 1639 by Shajahan, the fifth Mogul emperor (and possibly the most architecturally inclined Mogul emperor, who also built Taj Mahal in Agra). According to some historians, this building was modelled on another building with the same name, which had been built by Akbar (the grandfather of Shajahan) in his capital city Fatehpur Sikri, which was abandoned later due to water scarcity.
Diwan-I-Khas or "the hall of private audience" is a luxurious castle, where Mogul emperors used to conduct their private durbar. Only the high and mighty among the staff such as ministers and army chiefs and the eminent and noble among the citizens were allowed to participate on these gatherings. At that time, common people were not allowed inside the building. The building was constructed with a clear intention to provide a matching ambience for such high-level meetings.
The famous peacock throne (Mayura Simhasana, which was one of the first items that every invading king, even the British rulers, took from Delhi, as a piece of proud souvenir for the conquest of the city) was kept in Diwan-I-Khas. It is said that the Mogul kings used to sit in this throne. There were two enclosures for the audience: one for the top-ranked officials and other prominent personalities and the other for those with not that higher professional or social status. But later these enclosures were removed.
The whole interior of Diwan-I-Khas was studded with a range of attractive jewelries. One can now see many empty holes on walls. During the Mogul era, several precious gems and jewels were placed in these holes. The walls and the columns of the building are made of pure white marble. Gems were also fixed on the columns. The ceiling of the building was fabricated with silver. The white marble walls and silver ceiling provided a bright and royal atmosphere inside the building. The charm of the building inspired Amir Khusraw, one of the leading poets of the Mogul era, to write that oft-quoted line on a wall of building, which is still inscribed on the wall, which can be translated to English as "if there be a paradise on the earth, it is this, it is this, it is this".
At present, there have been some modifications on the original structure of Diwan-I-Khas. Wooden ceilings have replaced the silver ones, but the other aspects, such as the engrailed arches, piers holding exquisite floral designs, and the pillars on the corners, remain the same. The building will provide an unforgettable experience, especially for someone with an architectural bend of mind.
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