A hall meant for private audiences- The Diwan-I-Khas located in Delhi in Redfort was the place where the courtiers and state guests would meet the Mughal emperor. Diwan-I-khas was also known as Shah Mahal.
On the north side before Diwan-I-am the audience hall led to the court in the absolute inside of the palace called Jalau khana and the Diwan-i-khas. On the west of the hall there were two enclosures. One was meant for the higher in ranks and the nobles and the other for those in lower ranks. The lower parts of the piers are have inlaid designs in floral. The upper portions are painted and gilded. There are pillared umbrellas – “Chhattris” surmounting the four corners of the roof.
Diwan-I-Khas the building
The ceiling originally comprised of silver and gold inlay. The silver and gold were removed completely by the Jats or Marattas. In 1911 the latest ceiling was installed. The stream of paradise- “Nahar-i-Bihisht’ flew through the center of the hall. The building comprised of red awnings or shamianas. On the corner arches of the northern and southern walls below the cornice inscriptions from the verse of Amir Khusrow is inscribed. The inscriptions read as “If there be a paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.”
Diwan-I-Khas the history
The peacock throne was believed to be situated here. A mighty and beautiful looking throne in the center and five smaller thrones with four on each corner and middle of the hall were said to be here. During the 1857 rebellion the interiors were damaged to mighty extent. It was believed that the throne, carpets and other items went missing. The hall today comprises of only a smaller portion of what it used to comprise of. The panels of inlay have been restored recently. Below the hall to which the buildings were connected and in the riverbed below there was a space and it was called Zer-Jharokha – beneath the lattices. It leaves you wondering how this space could be utilized to such an extent that today it is looked upon as work of creative architectural splendor.
Painting at Diwan-I-Khas
You can find the original appearance of the Diwan-I-khas in the paintings of Ghulam Ali Khan. Some of paintings showcase the interior stream of paradise towards the khas mahal painted in 1854. Done in 1817 you can also catch a glimpse of the Diwan-I-Khas with red shamianas on the outside of the hall.
The recent restoration works bring out the beauty of the inlaid marble panels. The interiors today of the Diwan-I-Khas have been set in a manner to blend with the original appearance. It is for those with eye for detail to catch the difference in the present day renovation work and original ornamentation of the Diwan-I-Khas in Red fort
