|
Paien Bagh &
Khilwat Khana
Quadrangle
Paien Bagh and
Ahata-e-Khilwat
Khana
(Quadrangle of
Chamber of
Seclusion)
These two ahatas or
courts are in
continuation with
each other. Most of
the structures are
now lost, except the
two major towers—Lal
and Kala Burj—jutting
out from the
northern periphery
wall—which define
the eastern and
western ends of the
ahatas.
The first area that
you encounter is
known as Paien Bagh
or the Zenana Garden
where remains of
foundations indicate
the footprints of
now-lost structures.
The northern portion
of the court is
known as
Ahata-e-Khilwat
Khana (Quadrangle of
the Palace of
Seclusion)—denoting
a private section.
However, during the
Sikh Period it was
known as the Khilat
Khana (the Palace of
Robes of Honour) or
a public arena where
nobles, ambassadors
and courtiers
congregated during
the Sikh reign,
giving the court
with an opposite
function and a
divergent
appellation.
Unfortunately, in
the absence of
historical accounts
or recognizable
structures it is
difficult to declare
with certainty the
name of this
quadrangle.
Khilwat Khana
The centre of the
northern edge houses
a small bangladar
pavilion, of
uncertain origin.
This building,
marked as the 'Hall
of Perfumes' on Sikh
Period maps, is
usually referred to
as the Khassa Khana.
Archaeologist Ph.
Vogel conjectured
that it was probably
a khass khana (khass
as opposed to khassa),
which would have
been enclosed with
the cooling device
of khass tattis
(screens of fragrant
matting) during
summer. However, if
it is the Khassa
Khana (fc/iassa=first
or royal) it would
mean royal palace,
which would indicate
exclusive use by the
imperial family.
During the British
Period it was part
of a house for the
commanding officer,
when the Mughal
Khassa Khana was
converted into a
bathroom.
Kala Burj
(Black Tower)
Both these towers,
Lal and Kala Burj
being Sikh
appellations, are
massive 4-storey
structures and are
thought to have been
used as residential
apartments. Both are
almost similar,
semi-octagonaltowers
and have attached
chambers. The towers
were designed
incorporating
galleries at a high
level encircling the
projecting
semi-octagonal
portion, and
facilitating a
breathtaking view of
the surrounding
country side.
The large
semi-octagonal
structure at the
northern end of the
western periphery is
popularly referred
to by the Sikh
appellation of 'Lal
Burj' (the Scarlet
Tower). The burj
projects out from
the adjacent
fortification wall
and also carries a
narrow ambulatory
overlooking the
northern aspect.
There are several
elements which
conform to the
constructional
elements of the
Makatib Khana
such as its simple
columns, and its
mucfarnas vault and
fresco decoration,
identifying the
structure with
Jahangir rather than
with Shahjahan. In
order to enter the
tower you will need
to use the opening
from the Shahjahan
Quad.
The tower underwent
extensive repairs
during the mid-1930s
when it was found
that it was
suffering from
unequal settlement.
At the time its
tendency to incline
outwards was halted
through remedial
measures, that is to
say, strapping and
tying with iron
rails. Attached to
this residential
tower are a few
extant chambers,
though foundations
alone of others are
now extant.
The Kala Burj is
entered from Royal
Tower Forecourt.
Although normally
kept closed, if you
can gain permission
to enter, Kala Burj
is definitely worth
a visit. It has been
definitively dated
to Jahangir's period
by the historian
Ebba Koch, and
represents some of
the remarkable
imagery of the
period. The ceiling
of the tower carries
a singular rendering
of angels and birds,
influenced by
European art. The
tower decoration
also portrays
Jahangir's
fascination with
painting,
particularly his
attempts at
encouraging Mughal
court artists to
paint according to
the themes and style
of Renaissance
painters.
Diwan-e-Aam Quadrangle
Moti Masjid Quadrangle
Jahangir's Quadrangle
Shahjahan's Quadrangle
Paien Bagh & Khilwat Khana Quadrangle
Shah Burj or Royal Tower
|
