question_answer 6)

An inscription in Shah Jahan's diwan-i khas in Delhi stated; "It there is Paradise on Earth, it is here, it is here, it is here." How was this image created?  

Answer:

The architectural design of Shah Jahan's diwan-i khas (audience hall) at Delhi has an image of Paradise on Earth. His audience hails were specially constructed to resemble a mosque. The pedestal on which the Emperor's throne was placed was frequently described as the quibia, the direction (west) faced by Muslims at prayer, since everybody faced that direction when court was in session. The idea of the king as a representative of God on earth was suggested by these architectural features. The construction of Shah Jahan's audience hall aimed to communicate that the king's justice would treat the high and the low as equals creating a world where all could live together in harmony. These are some of the major features which created the image of Paradise on earth.