Diwan-i-Am Agra Fort
Diwan-i-Am Agra Fort
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Anuradha Manjul
Lucknow, India423 contributions
Nov 2019
Other than the palaces and mosques there are many interesting and important structures in Agra Fort. Many of the structures which we see today are from the era of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Some of these structures were modified structures of Akbar and Jahangir era, some completely new.
The 1st structure commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in Agra Fort after his accession in August 1628 CE was the public audience hall which is now known as Diwan ai Aam. Today one can find a red sandstone and marble structure just opposite the Baori and in the courtyard of which one can find the Tomb of John Russell Colvin; but this was not how it was originally conceived.
Diwan ai Aam is an important structure, as it was the first of such structures commissioned by Shah Jahan. It acted as a prototype for all others Diwan ai Aam of the 5th Mughal Emperor’s era in Lahore Fort (now in Pakistan) and Delhi Fort and one in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh.
Diwan ai aam is a simplified version of Dawlat Khana i Khas ur aam or Chihil Sutun (40 columns) as mentioned in Padshahnama (Emperor Shah Jahan’s official history) and other historical texts of that time.
There used to be Jharoka (Jahorka i Khass u aam) or the viewing window from which the Mughal Emperors Akbar and Jahangir presided over the general court assembly. In front of the Jharoka used to be a courtyard (Sahn i Dawlat Khana i Khass u aam) where the courtiers and general public used to stand in open, bearing the heat, rain and cold conditions. The Jahorkha also used to get damaged due to extreme weather conditions of Agra. Emperor Shah Jahan decided to give protection to those who took part in the court session and also provide safety for the Jharokha; and that is how Iwan i Dawlat Khana i Khass u amm or Iwab i Chihil Sutun (hall of 40 columns) was conceived.
Initially this was a rectangular wooden hall with 40 pillars or 40 green columns with a flat roof. The wooden hall was later changed to a rectangular sand stone hall (the present version). Lahore Fort also had a similar wooden hall, only Delhi Fort had a sand stone structure from the beginning. The hall was completed in 40 days and the date of completion was August 5, 1628 (4 Dhu i Hijja 1037). It was inaugurated by the Emperor on August 25, 1628 (25 Dhu i Hijja 1037) as per the auspicious time decided by astrologers for inauguration which will be free from ill fate.
Emperor Shah Jahan’s historians have given description of the structure in detail – dimensions being 70 gaz in length and 22 gaz in breadth (1 gaz = 0.91 m); the roof was flat, topped with crenellations (kanguras) and a slanting eave (chajjha) with rings for tentage. There were 4 rows of 10 columns (10 on long side and 4 on short side). Columns are baluster columns (European architecture influence) with base being red, shaft and brackets being green, top most part red and gold. Ceiling was painted beautifully with flower motifs; there used to be a garden in front. The structure had high foundation, 3 sides had passages from which high ranking nobles etc. came in. A silver railing was around it. One also finds the description of the standing order – those who were close to the emperor stood adjacent to 2 columns of the Jharokha, others stood with their back to the silver railing as per their rank and order in the court. The Jharoka had a gold railing around it. This was replaced by the sand stone structure later by the Emperor himself and with some additions or improvements by Emperor Aurangzeb (though minor only). The current sand stone structure is a rectangular structure; a hall with high slender columns with flat roof, 3 aisles of 10 bays each with 40 faceted pillars supporting cusped arch with acanthus leaves in each apex. It measures around 61.48 m x 20.72 m x 11.55 m in dimensions.
The red sandstone is coated with highly burnished lime stone plaster (chuna) mixed with shell which gives it an appearance of white marble (similar experimentation can be seen in some other structures in the fort). The east wall has a raised chamber with 3 lobed openings – this was the Jharokha (viewing window) of the emperor. This Jharokha is made up of marble which was earlier richly inlaid with precious stones.The Jharoka is a like a throne chamber with the lower portion of the chamber wall carved with a row of baluster column. This chamber or Jharoka had a throne for the emperor and was connected with the royal apartments. There are marble windows in the chamber with perforated screens on the left and right of emperor’s chamber, it is said that this was used by the royal ladies for viewing the court proceedings (in accordance with purdah tradition).There is a marble dais (known as Baithak) below the throne which was used by the prime minister (wazir) to receive petitions and pass the same to the emperor. The silver railing and the golden railing remained till the time of Mughals and the standing order remained similar to that being followed in the wooden hall.
This structure was badly damaged by the British army, precious stones etc. were removed and either sent to Britain or pocketed by the officers. It was used as an armoury for British garrison during the 1800’s. It was later restored in 1876 CE by Sir John Strachy, Lt. Governor of North West Province.
The structure though simple looking has major historical and architectural importance in the development of Mughal architecture and Indo Islamic architecture and is definitely worth a visit.
The 1st structure commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in Agra Fort after his accession in August 1628 CE was the public audience hall which is now known as Diwan ai Aam. Today one can find a red sandstone and marble structure just opposite the Baori and in the courtyard of which one can find the Tomb of John Russell Colvin; but this was not how it was originally conceived.
Diwan ai Aam is an important structure, as it was the first of such structures commissioned by Shah Jahan. It acted as a prototype for all others Diwan ai Aam of the 5th Mughal Emperor’s era in Lahore Fort (now in Pakistan) and Delhi Fort and one in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh.
Diwan ai aam is a simplified version of Dawlat Khana i Khas ur aam or Chihil Sutun (40 columns) as mentioned in Padshahnama (Emperor Shah Jahan’s official history) and other historical texts of that time.
There used to be Jharoka (Jahorka i Khass u aam) or the viewing window from which the Mughal Emperors Akbar and Jahangir presided over the general court assembly. In front of the Jharoka used to be a courtyard (Sahn i Dawlat Khana i Khass u aam) where the courtiers and general public used to stand in open, bearing the heat, rain and cold conditions. The Jahorkha also used to get damaged due to extreme weather conditions of Agra. Emperor Shah Jahan decided to give protection to those who took part in the court session and also provide safety for the Jharokha; and that is how Iwan i Dawlat Khana i Khass u amm or Iwab i Chihil Sutun (hall of 40 columns) was conceived.
Initially this was a rectangular wooden hall with 40 pillars or 40 green columns with a flat roof. The wooden hall was later changed to a rectangular sand stone hall (the present version). Lahore Fort also had a similar wooden hall, only Delhi Fort had a sand stone structure from the beginning. The hall was completed in 40 days and the date of completion was August 5, 1628 (4 Dhu i Hijja 1037). It was inaugurated by the Emperor on August 25, 1628 (25 Dhu i Hijja 1037) as per the auspicious time decided by astrologers for inauguration which will be free from ill fate.
Emperor Shah Jahan’s historians have given description of the structure in detail – dimensions being 70 gaz in length and 22 gaz in breadth (1 gaz = 0.91 m); the roof was flat, topped with crenellations (kanguras) and a slanting eave (chajjha) with rings for tentage. There were 4 rows of 10 columns (10 on long side and 4 on short side). Columns are baluster columns (European architecture influence) with base being red, shaft and brackets being green, top most part red and gold. Ceiling was painted beautifully with flower motifs; there used to be a garden in front. The structure had high foundation, 3 sides had passages from which high ranking nobles etc. came in. A silver railing was around it. One also finds the description of the standing order – those who were close to the emperor stood adjacent to 2 columns of the Jharokha, others stood with their back to the silver railing as per their rank and order in the court. The Jharoka had a gold railing around it. This was replaced by the sand stone structure later by the Emperor himself and with some additions or improvements by Emperor Aurangzeb (though minor only). The current sand stone structure is a rectangular structure; a hall with high slender columns with flat roof, 3 aisles of 10 bays each with 40 faceted pillars supporting cusped arch with acanthus leaves in each apex. It measures around 61.48 m x 20.72 m x 11.55 m in dimensions.
The red sandstone is coated with highly burnished lime stone plaster (chuna) mixed with shell which gives it an appearance of white marble (similar experimentation can be seen in some other structures in the fort). The east wall has a raised chamber with 3 lobed openings – this was the Jharokha (viewing window) of the emperor. This Jharokha is made up of marble which was earlier richly inlaid with precious stones.The Jharoka is a like a throne chamber with the lower portion of the chamber wall carved with a row of baluster column. This chamber or Jharoka had a throne for the emperor and was connected with the royal apartments. There are marble windows in the chamber with perforated screens on the left and right of emperor’s chamber, it is said that this was used by the royal ladies for viewing the court proceedings (in accordance with purdah tradition).There is a marble dais (known as Baithak) below the throne which was used by the prime minister (wazir) to receive petitions and pass the same to the emperor. The silver railing and the golden railing remained till the time of Mughals and the standing order remained similar to that being followed in the wooden hall.
This structure was badly damaged by the British army, precious stones etc. were removed and either sent to Britain or pocketed by the officers. It was used as an armoury for British garrison during the 1800’s. It was later restored in 1876 CE by Sir John Strachy, Lt. Governor of North West Province.
The structure though simple looking has major historical and architectural importance in the development of Mughal architecture and Indo Islamic architecture and is definitely worth a visit.
Written April 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rajatkant
Lucknow, India345 contributions
Jul 2021
I wish the experience be enriches with audio trails available for the uninitiated.the guides tell laced anecdotes with scant respect for history.
Written July 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gl0balCitizen2013
United Kingdom2,792 contributions
Jul 2019
This is a lovely, functional building inside Agra Fort, where the Mughal emperor met the public.It isn't very grand or decorative, in comparison to the other buildings within the fort, but that is understandable, given that for all intents and purposes it had an official purpose.
Written May 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alok Nahata
Alor Setar, Malaysia6,213 contributions
Dec 2019
Here Akbar used to hear the petitions of the general public and solve their problems with his nice jewels or special advisors including Birbal who used to sit just beneath the kings throne. The Birbal's seat is still in it's original condition and well preserved. It is made of a single marble stone. This was the most important part of Agra fort.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lalani_13
Burnaby, Canada95 contributions
Nov 2018 • Family
we visited this place as part of our tour when we went to see Agra Fort. It is a nice place and we also took some photos.
Written December 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PushExplore
Singapore, Singapore4,952 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
This visit to Diwan-i-Am is a part of the tour to Agra. We had to walk around a lot but it was quite comfortable.
Written May 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Firdaus Ahmed
Fahaheel, Kuwait117 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
I don't know why Tripadvisor mentioned everything separately. It is also a part of Agra fort. Where king was addressing the common public. nothing to see specially.
Written June 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yamini B
New Delhi, India77 contributions
Nov 2016 • Family
The huge assembly hall measuring 201' by 67' has flat roof and two arched red sandstone gateways to the north and south. The façade has an arcade with nine bold arches and the hall is divided into three aisles. Though the building was constructed in red sandstone, yet it had been plastered with white shell plaster to resemble the white marble. The raised rectangular chamber from where the emperor addressed the people was ostentatiously ornamented.
Written December 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon Lingo
Luxor, Egypt57 contributions
Nov 2019
I was told by our guide that this is where the King would sit on his golden throne. His throne had a large diamond at the top that sparkled from the candle light behind the throne. As he said, "the Brits was so kind as to gift the diamond to themselves for their crown jewels."
Written November 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashok T
Vadodara, India243 contributions
Aug 2019
huge open ground,covered large hall ,a throne for emperor,special enclosure for royal ladies well bult,maintained,clean place with nice greenery.noe a days light and sound show is not functional.Akbar-Jodha film covers this place to show magnanimity,prospority of those days
Written August 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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