India: The central pillar of the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh

The Diwan-i-Khas, or Hall of Private Audience, is a plain square building with four chhatris on the roof. It is famous for its central pillar, which has a square base and an octagonal shaft, both carved with bands of geometric and floral designs, further its thirty-six serpentine brackets support a circular platform for the Mughal emperor Akbar, which is connected to each corner of the building on the first floor, by four stone walkways. It is here that Akbar had representatives of different religions discuss their faiths and gave private audience.

Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory) was built during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar ((r. 1556-1605)). It was the capital of the Mughal Empire for 10 years.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia