Diwan-e-Aam, Delhi

The story of Diwan-e-Aam, Delhi

You’re standing in the Hall of Public Audience inside the Red Fort, the place where the Mughal emperor received members of the general public and heard their grievances. The most striking thing about it is the way power was staged here: a public hall with the emperor elevated at the far end, separated from the crowd, so that access itself became part of the ceremony.

Britannica names Shah Jahan as the emperor connected with the Red Fort and says the work was begun in 1639. That fits the larger story of the fort as a new imperial capital, Shahjahanabad. The hall in this complex was meant for audiences with ordinary petitioners, and the audience ritual here was known as Jharokha Darshan.

The building you see has a front hall open on three sides, backed by rooms, and the main hall was divided into 27 square bays on columns supporting arches. Its eastern wall carries a marble canopy, with a marble dais below it, and the imperial seat was set off by railings.

Later, the hall was restored by Lord Curzon.

If you want to visit, it’s closed on Monday and open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Look for the engraved arch openings and the marble canopy at the far wall before you move on.