Khas Mahal (Red Fort)

28°39′22″N 77°14′37″E / 28.656087°N 77.243579°E / 28.656087; 77.243579

The Khas Mahal in the Red Fort
Bahadur Shah II enthroned underneath the Scale of Justice (1837–38)

The Khas Mahal served as the Mughal emperor's private residence in Delhi. The structure is located inside the Red Fort, which is a large defensive and governmental complex located inside the city.

It consists of three parts: the Chamber of Telling Beads (Viz-tasbih-khana), the sleeping chamber, (khwabgah) and the wardrobe (tosha-khana) or sitting room (baithak). The interior is decorated with carved white marble painted with colourful floral decorations. The ceiling was also partially gilded. The marble screen was carved with the scale of justice (Mizan-i-adal), and above it is a particularly important item of Mughal art.[1] The scale used was a depiction of the emperor's justice.[2]

The projecting tower to the east of the Khas Mahal is called the Octagonal Tower (Muthamman Burj). The emperor would address his subjects every morning in a ceremony called Jharokha Darshan.[2]

  • The Tusbeeh Khana with the imperial seat and the Stream of Paradise (1843)
    The Tusbeeh Khana with the imperial seat and the Stream of Paradise (1843)
  • Interior with the Stream of Paradise
    Interior with the Stream of Paradise
  • Marble screen with the scale of justice
    Marble screen with the scale of justice

References

  1. ^ Murray, John (1911). A handbook for travelers in India, Burma, and Ceylon (8th ed.). Calcutta: Thacker, Spink, & Co. p. 197. ISBN 978-1175486417. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Khas Mahal of Red Fort". Archaeological Survey of India. 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2013.

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