Search Lowest fares on all travel sites with one click !
Browse Heritage Cities Of India
Diwani I Aam
DIWANI-I-AAM, India
Location |
At Fatehpur Sikri, in Uttar Pradesh State |
Year of Construction |
1631 - 1640 |
Built by |
Mughal Emperor Akbar The Great |
Significance |
The glorious and precious throne which was ordered by Shah Jahan was kept in this hall of public audience or the Diwani-i-Aam |
Introduction
Diwani-i-Aam also known popularly as the Hall of Public Audience used to be a hall for addressing the general public by the Emperor. Built with red sandstone and plastered with plaster which is of white shell this has halls which are divided in three aisles and nine arches. There is a chamber which is rectangle in shape and from here the emperor used to address the people.
The Diwani-i-Aam has always been of tourist interest and many tourist every year flock here to see this wonderful place which is in Fatehpur Sikri in the state of Uttar Pradesh. This is considered to be one of the most important monuments in the city of Fatehpur Sikri and is located in the center of the city. This was built in the memory of Sheik Salim Chisti who was a great Sufi saint and who blessed the emperor and hence the emperor got an heir to his Mughal throne and was later known as the mughal emperor Jahangir. Fatehpur Sikri built in the year 1571 was the Mughal empire’s capital till 1585. UNESCO has listed Fatehpur Sikri as one of the best and popular heritage of India.
Construction – DIWANI-I-AAM
The Diwani-i-Aam is in the Fatehpur city in Uttar Pradesh state and was constructed by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar so that he could hear the petitions of the general public in this place. This hall also serves the purpose of celebrations and public prayers. This is famously known as Hall of Public Audiences.
The Great History
Constructed in marble the ‘jharokha’ with three opening which are of arch in shape and are of precious stones was called as the (Throne room) ‘Takht-i-Murassa’. This has connection to the royal apartments and the ladies used to see the ceremonies of Diwani-i-Aam through the windows which were made of marble and had screens with perforation both on the left and right of the chamber of the emperor. ‘Baithak’ was the name given to the marble dias which was below this chamber. The Vazirs who used to present the petitions used to sit here.
After entering the Fatehpur Sikri from the gate of Agra one can find this as this is one out of the nine gateways in the palace complex way. On the western side is said to be the royal balcony. On the opposite side of the royal balcony there was a hook made up of stone and even till date this hook exists, and is found to be embedded in ground. And it was a tradition here that the elephant named Hiran who was Akbar’s pet was tied here and the person who would be found guilty used to be asked to crush to death by the elephant and in case if it refused to do so inspite of instructing thrice then the victim would be set free.
Rules and Regulations
- One has to strictly adhere to the timing which they specify.
- Cameras are restricted in few of the places and hence better to avoid carrying it.
- A person under the influence of alcohol is strictly not permitted.
How to Reach DIWANI-I-AAM
By Air
The airport is under construction and hence is proposed to get over by March 2012 in the meanwhile there is accessibility for small planes for landing.
By Road
You can either hire a car which would be a better option or can alternatively board a bus as the frequency of buses is more either from Agra or Jaipur.
By Rail
The city of Agra is well connected to rails and hence people can get down here and take a taxi or bus to reach Fatehpur Sikri.
Other Transportation
One can also reach this place from Agra in case if they want to visit that place as well and there are many convenient transport connecting to the road and it is just 40 kms from Agra and hence is better to hire a taxi or go in for the UPSRTC’s that are very frequently running between Agra to Fatehpur Sikri and from Fatehpur Sikri to Agra.
Best Time to Visit :
The best time to visit the Diwani-i-Aam is from the month of November to February.
Tourist Places near DIWANI-I-AAM
Panch Mahal
The Panch Mahal has got its own charm and its structures are based on the buildings ground floor and has eight four columns. Towards the buildings upper part only four columns are left which is filled with lots of air. There is a dome on the palace top and they have the typical Mughal jallis which adds to the beauty of the Mahal. Inspired by the Buddhist Temple’s architectural style this Mahal which is in Fatehpur Sikri used to be a place for relaxing by the Emperor Akbar.
Hiran Minar
Hiran Minar is situated in the open plains with 21.34 meters in height. The Hiran Minar also known as the Deer Tower got the name after the conversion of the polo ground which surrounds the tower to the deer sanctuary. Up to a height of 3,910 meters this tower has the shape of an octagon and after that it is circular in shape. Being built in the shape of an octagon this tower rests upon the square base wherein the lower platform which is square shape is 21.96 meters and 1.2 meters is the octagonal platform. This tower has six point stars and rows of hexagon in an alternate arrangement. The stone tusks are being used now and has replaced the ancient elephant tusks which were very prominent and used to protrude from each of the star’s center. The elephant tusks of the ancient time which were pure were a symbol of novelty and grandeur of the Mughal Empire that ruled at that time.
Anup Talao
This is a wonderful pool which has a platform in the middle and there are four bridges which leads to the ornamental swimming pool. This is a beautiful sight with many important and famous buildings surrounding the royal enclave. The house of dreams or khwabgah, Akbar’s house also surrounds this.
Daftar Khana
Daftar Khana is located on the palace complex’s south side and hence is built in typical Mughal architecture style and in shape it is rectangle with huge windows and it is said that Akbar used to be available to the public through this window everyday.
Pachisi Court
Pachisi Court or the Chaupar Court is said to be very close to Diwan-i-Aam and was built by Akbar the Mughal Emperor in the year 1572 till the year 1575. This had huge sand stones on either side with the courtyard in white and black color, where they used to play the board game called Pachisi court which is similar to chess.
Naubat Khana
Naubat Khana is also known as the drum house or Naqqar Khana, where the musicians used to inform the public about the arriving of the king by beating the drums. This is located after the elephant gate or hathi pol gate.
Ankh Micholi Treasury
Ankh Micholi Treasury is a must see as this beautiful Treasury was built in honor of Sheik Salim Chisti a great sufi saint and was the Mughals Royal Treasure during their leadership in Fatehpur Sikri. The astrologer’s seat is the highlight of the building as this is very uniquely done. And the designs that are being used to make this amazingly beautiful are of the Buddhist architectural and painting style.
Palace of Jodha Bai
This palace is made up of red sand stone and its beauty catches anybody’s attention. This was the palace of the Mughal Emperor Akbar’s wife Jodha Bai and is situated on the east of the fort and this served as the residence for all of Akbar’s queens and members of harem. Built in the Hindu architectural style this palace is built in the courtyard. The roofs of the building which are of turquoise bricks and red sandstone which gives a radiant look to the palace.
Buland Darwaza
One can get access to the mosque Jama Masjid through the Buland Darwaza which is in Fatehpur Sikri. This is located on a hill and is very magnificent and built in a typical Mughal style of architecture which is built in red sand stone with white marble as well. This is in arch shape and is very prominent and marks a history. The meaning of Buland Darwaza is high door and is 176 feet in height from the ground & 134 steps above top step. The Buland Darwaza is very prominent and hence can be seen even from a very long distance due to its magnificent size. There are many calligraphic inscriptions taken from the Quran which is mentioned on the face of the chattris and pillars hence making it very catchy and impressive.
Tomb of Salim Chisti
This Tomb was built keeping on mind the faith symbol and even many years down the line this has been a mixture of faith and belief with sovereignty and power. This was built in memory of the great Salim Chisti who was a Sufi saint, and was built in the year 1571 and represented as the Mughal Empire’s capital until 1585. Constructed with red sand stone earlier but now it has been modified and has been made up with marble entirely. The highlight of this Tomb is the jails or the lattice work which is beautifully done on the windows and another striking feature is that it reminds one of the pearls amidst the red stones that are used for this.
Ibadat Khana
This is the house of worship which was a house for meetings and was built by the great Mughaal Emperor Akbar in the year 1575, where the foundation of faith, called Din-e-llahi was laid by Akbar.
Diwan-khana-i-khaas
Hall of Private audience or Diwan-khana-i-khaas is on the right which is a two storied building and once you enter you will find the single vault chamber and in the middle there is a column which is carved and supports the colossal bracketed capital.
Birbal Palace
Among the important monuments of Fatehpur Sikri Birbal’s palace is considered to be one among them. This was the place where Birbal used to reside. Built in the year 1571, this is considered as one among the imperial harem’s beautiful buildings. With two entrances one on the Northwest and the other on the Southeast and has 4 rooms which are connected to each other very well. There are talks saying that it was Akbar who had built it but then there are other set of people who say that it was Birbal who got it constructed himself.
Nagina Masjid and Hawa Mahal
The palace of winds or Hawa Mahal is on Jodhabai’s palace’s right side the wind tower which are small are facing the garden and attached to palace. The garden is in the style of Char Bagh which is divided by the channels which are shallow and intersect in right angles.
Jama Masjid
The Jama Masjid means Friday mosque and probably the first in the buildings to be constructed. The entrance to courtyard is huge and later aft 5years the Buland Darwaza got added. Built in the typical Indian mosque, the feature that distinguishes this from others is the rows of chhatri which is above the sanctuary with the seven bays having 3 mihrabs each and the central one covered by dome and white marble is used to decorate it.
Fast Facts
Year of Construction: 1631
Completed In: 1640
Time Taken: 9 years
Built By: Mughal Emperor Akbar the great
Dedicated to:
Location:
Building Type:
Architecture:
Architect:
Cost of Construction:
Number of workers:
Highlights: The glorious and precious throne which was ordered by Shah Jahan was kept in this hall of public audience or the Diwani-i-Aam
Timings:
This place is open on all of the weekdays from dawn to dusk.
Fee:
For kids above 12 years Rs. 5/ entry fee is charged and there is no entry fee on Fridays as it is free.
Interesting Facts of DIWANI-I-AAM
- Akbar built this in honor of Sheik Salim Chisti who was a great sufi saint as he blessed the the Mughal Emperor Akbar with an heir in India for the Mughal throne.
- This is the place where Akbar used to address the general public.