Diwan-I-Khas

Although the term "Diwan-I-Khas" refers to a hall of private audiences, exactly what type of audiences were convened here by Akbar remains a mystery. Located at the northeast corner of the royal complex, the Diwan-I-Khas has been described in guide books as the Emperor's private audience chamber, owing to presence of a massive pillar with a central platform and attached diagonal galleries. According to this interpretation, Akbar used to sit on the central chamber while the four galleries were occupied by his ministers. However, these galleries were so narrow that they could never accommodate all ministers of the court, casting practical doubt on this interpretation. A more plausible belief is that this building was a store house for the imperial hoard of gems and jewels, and it has been reported that Akbar often sat on its central pillar not to conduct affairs of state, but to inspect his jewels. Adding further support to this idea is the fact that it is known that Akbar had three separate treasuries, two for gold and silver and one for the gems and jewels, which were close to each other. Appropriately, the Diwan-I-Khas stands in the treasury precinct next to the gold and silver treasure house, the Ankh Michauli. The exterior of the Diwan-I-Khas is very representative of the buildings of Fatehpur Sikri, with its distinctive cupolas. The brackets at the top of the first level support a walkway with delicate latticework rails. Ornate engraving decorates the exterior. The interior is dominated by a single pillar, connected to the corners of the room by three walkways. The central column reflects the theology of Akbar's universal religion; the carvings from the bottom to the top display iconography from Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism, respectively. The photo to the right shows the religious motifs carved on the central pillar, while the photo to the right shows a close-up of the top of the pillar, with the three walkways that connect the pillar to the sides of the Diwan-I-Khas.