The Diwan-i-Am or Hall of Public Audience separates the outer public from the inner private areas of the fort. Here the emperor received his subjects, sitting on his marble throne and dispensing justice and favours.

The roof is supported by some beautifully proportioned columns rising up into scalloped arches. You can still see the iron rings to which rich curtains would have been hung, and the bare stonework would have been gilded

The emperor’s throne is covered with a curved roof in the Bengal style and stands against the back wall of this open-sided hall. The throne and dais are inlaid with semi precious stones and anti-bird netting now covers the throne protecting it from unwanted deposits.

Some exquisite panels line the back of the throne with birds and flowers depicted with inlays of coloured stones. A central panel shows Orpheus playing the lute and it’s believed that an artist from Florence created the panels. Their survival is surprising given that Shah Jahan’s successor, Aurangzeb, was a devout Muslim who believed that man should not depict any plant or animal as doing so was competing against the work of God.

In front of the throne is a marble platform where the chief minister sat. His job was to receive petitions and complaints from the public and pass them up to the emperor.

See and save more places to create your own itinerary or modify a Bindu itinerary.

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  Photo by Patrick Horton
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  Photo by Patrick Horton
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  Photo by Patrick Horton
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  Photo by Patrick Horton
• 
  Photo by Patrick Horton
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  Photo by Patrick Horton
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  Photo by Patrick Horton
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  Photo by Patrick Horton
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  Photo by Patrick Horton