Diwan-I-Khas
Diwan-I-Khas
4.5
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
256 reviews
Excellent
140
Very good
91
Average
24
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Alok Nahata
Alor Setar, Malaysia6,213 contributions
Dec 2019
As the name suggests, this was a special meeting place of Akbar with his 9 special advisors and special people of the society. King sat in the middle on the lotus throne and the advisors on each corner. Below sat the audience. Special place for special decisions so entry and exit of the King was also special. The king could leave from here through secret doors in the walls. Amazing architecture...
Written January 6, 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.
Ann C
Nashville, TN3,329 contributions
Oct 2019
...located on the northern end of the courtyard...a striking administrative building located at Fatehpur Sikri. Nothing too special on the outside, but the inside hosts a carved stone central column that is rather impressive.
Written January 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.
Avnish Chauhan
New Delhi, India2,111 contributions
Dec 2019
Located at the entrance of the fort the place also known as the Lotus Throne. The architecture is amazing, the place is photogenic. The place was used for confidential meetings. Do visit and also read the place facts.
Written February 22, 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.
Ashok M
Chennai (Madras), India2,316 contributions
Feb 2017 • Family
Diwan-E-Khas is located in the Fatehpur palace or city built by Emperor Akbar in 16th Century. He built Diwan-I-Khas to meet his ministers and discuss strategies and policies for the empire. The place is showcase for secular architecture combining multiple religion and culture.
Written February 25, 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.
John K
Brighton, UK2,429 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
Before you arrive you have to take a small bus from the car park. At the ticket counter you pay 250 rupees and 20 rupee tax. You then walk through the area where the Emperors elephant executed people by walking on their chests.
Next you enter Diwan I Kas where the king had several buildings including the one that houses the Lotus throne. Later there is a Hindu short film worth watching to get an aerial perspective. You are not allowed to walk on the ramparts or past the ground level.
The actual site is not as large to be exhausting. The first part with the palaces and other buildings also has no one hassling you. There is a little hassling when you leave the complex. The biggest gate in the world and the white mosque are separate and a short walk away.
Bring some socks as you have to leave your shoes to enter the mosque area. The stones are hot. I would hire a guide to get a better understanding of the history of the site.
If you found the review useful I always appreciate a helpful vote.
Next you enter Diwan I Kas where the king had several buildings including the one that houses the Lotus throne. Later there is a Hindu short film worth watching to get an aerial perspective. You are not allowed to walk on the ramparts or past the ground level.
The actual site is not as large to be exhausting. The first part with the palaces and other buildings also has no one hassling you. There is a little hassling when you leave the complex. The biggest gate in the world and the white mosque are separate and a short walk away.
Bring some socks as you have to leave your shoes to enter the mosque area. The stones are hot. I would hire a guide to get a better understanding of the history of the site.
If you found the review useful I always appreciate a helpful vote.
Written June 23, 2015
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.
Menulone
Mumbai, India2,895 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
As the name suggests this place used to be place of Special people of Emperor Akbar. Here Emperor used to meet with them and take decisions. Now from the outside it appears like it is 2 floored building however it has only ground floor.
This is also part of the palace. The palace that follows Din-e-ilahi concept which means there is one God for all. The are engravings across various structures of the Palace to represent the same.
This is also part of the palace. The palace that follows Din-e-ilahi concept which means there is one God for all. The are engravings across various structures of the Palace to represent the same.
Written February 12, 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.
AndyHaitch
Stanwell, UK662 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
This is a fascinating site which was built in the 16th century but deserted when they finally realised that the water supply could not be filtered and the salt levels were far too high to sustain the population.
The architect is red sandstone which had been beautifully and skilfully carved.
It’s the sort of site that is far bigger than you expect from the outside, so be prepared to walk around a lot.
Unfortunately, to get to the site you need to that a bus, and to get to the bus stop you have to walk through a small shopping area where people constantly pester you “ah, English, luvly jubbly, come to my shop”.
It’s not really threatening, just constant and therefore annoying. Then when you get the bus and reach the site it starts again...more people selling their wares and people offering their guide services.
It’s a battle, as with so many things in India, but take a breath and understand they are trying to make a living and feed their family, and instead focus on the beauty.
It is amazing architecture and rich with history.
One word of advice, take a guide with you as the stories and history of the place will enrich your experience.
The architect is red sandstone which had been beautifully and skilfully carved.
It’s the sort of site that is far bigger than you expect from the outside, so be prepared to walk around a lot.
Unfortunately, to get to the site you need to that a bus, and to get to the bus stop you have to walk through a small shopping area where people constantly pester you “ah, English, luvly jubbly, come to my shop”.
It’s not really threatening, just constant and therefore annoying. Then when you get the bus and reach the site it starts again...more people selling their wares and people offering their guide services.
It’s a battle, as with so many things in India, but take a breath and understand they are trying to make a living and feed their family, and instead focus on the beauty.
It is amazing architecture and rich with history.
One word of advice, take a guide with you as the stories and history of the place will enrich your experience.
Written October 19, 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.
alliharper
Miami, FL208 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
Diwan-I-Khas is only one of multiple important buildings to see at Fatehpur Sikri, all equally interesting. The city is a short ride from Agra.
Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great founded the city Fatehpur Sikri in 1569 to be his capital city. He ruled there for a very short time because it was abandoned not very long after completion. The reason Akbar moved the capital is believed to have been the lack of water to sustain an estimated close to a quarter of a million inhabitants.
Fatehpur Sikri was a massive walled city of sandstone with multiple palaces, a mosque, monuments, and public buildings.
When we arrived at Fatehpur Sikri, we took the bus up to the emperor's private area. We saw the building where the emperor would greet visitors, the hall of public audience, Diwan-I-Khas,. Akbar’s throne was in the high balcony as a protection from assassination attempts.
Then we went into the palaces of his three wives. The Muslim wife had the smallest palace but it was the most highly carved and decorated. The Christian wife had the much larger one, but the Hindu wife from a royal family had far and away the largest with a summer and winter palace, a lake, and a garden.
All the palaces would have had paintings on the walks but they have mostly faded although you can see the remnant of some paint.
It is always wise to have a government-licensed guide with you, not only to provide interesting information, but it is a protection from the many people who want to guide you or sell you something.
Father Sikri is a remarkable example of Mughal architecture - not to be missed. There is so much to see there. Strongly recommended.
Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great founded the city Fatehpur Sikri in 1569 to be his capital city. He ruled there for a very short time because it was abandoned not very long after completion. The reason Akbar moved the capital is believed to have been the lack of water to sustain an estimated close to a quarter of a million inhabitants.
Fatehpur Sikri was a massive walled city of sandstone with multiple palaces, a mosque, monuments, and public buildings.
When we arrived at Fatehpur Sikri, we took the bus up to the emperor's private area. We saw the building where the emperor would greet visitors, the hall of public audience, Diwan-I-Khas,. Akbar’s throne was in the high balcony as a protection from assassination attempts.
Then we went into the palaces of his three wives. The Muslim wife had the smallest palace but it was the most highly carved and decorated. The Christian wife had the much larger one, but the Hindu wife from a royal family had far and away the largest with a summer and winter palace, a lake, and a garden.
All the palaces would have had paintings on the walks but they have mostly faded although you can see the remnant of some paint.
It is always wise to have a government-licensed guide with you, not only to provide interesting information, but it is a protection from the many people who want to guide you or sell you something.
Father Sikri is a remarkable example of Mughal architecture - not to be missed. There is so much to see there. Strongly recommended.
Written April 13, 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.
Roselandish
Tallahassee, FL97 contributions
May 2014 • Family
Fathehpur Sikri is now a deserted town and even called a ghost town, sadly. The atmosphere of the Diwan I Khas is upto your imagination for the most part. Emperor Akbar a great ruler emphasized respect for all religions and encouraged debates and dialogue in order to facilitate a greater "One religion" - Din E Ilahi. This is where the meetings were held. A very interesting and exciting place to visit. The summers are hard and they make the visit harder.Try better weather.
Written March 10, 2015
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.
tanwar_abhi
New Delhi, India219 contributions
Oct 2018 • Family
It is a very good place to see. If you are visiting Agra, it is a must place to visit. From here, Emperor Akbar carried out court proceedings along with his nine ministers known as Navratnas.
Written October 28, 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.
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