Diwan-i-Khas - Built by Shah Jahan in 1648

Diwan-i-Khas

Diwan-i-Khas, The Hall of Private Audience - chamber in the Red Fort of Delhi

Diwan-i-Khas is an admirable marble pavilion which stands on a 41 feet base(plinth) built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The hall measures 90 feet in length and 67 feet width and its ceiling is supported by 32 carved pillars with precious gems embedded on them. It had a silver roof which was worth 29 lakh rupees, but this roof is no more as it was looted by the Jats in 1779 AD.

Location: Red Fort, Delhi

Over an arch in the central hall the famous inscription in Persian letters runs as follows:-

"If there be a paradise on the earth,

Is it this, is it this, is it this?"

It is an accepted fact that this palace was no less than heaven in those days. In those days the central chamber of this building had Takht-e-Taus (Peacock Throne). This peacock throne was completed in 7 years at a cost of rupees 9 crore. This Peacock throne was made of gold measuring 5 feet by 4 feet and weighing one lakh tolas. One tola refers to  11.6638038 grams. It means that 1164 Kg of gold is used to build the peacock throne. The upper part of this throne is studded with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and other precious stones and the lower part is gold studded with topazes. This magnificent throne was taken to Persia by Nadir Shah in 1739.

Many political events took place in Diwan-i-Khas and the building seems to have been built to witness many colorful scenes and tragedies. Some political events of Shah Jahan held in Diwan-i-Khas are

1. It acts as a court (Durbar) of Shah Jahan

2. At this place Aurangzeb murdered his two brothers, Dara and Murad; 

3. At this Nadir Shah intercepted (won in the battle with Shah) Muhammad Shah and robbed him of the famous diamond Kohinoor, the Peacock Throne and state treasures; 

4. At this place the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah was interrogated.

The designs on the pillars of Diwan-i-Khas are really Amesome