GAYATHRI MR

SPA/NS/AC/882
INSPECTION REPORT: SEMESTER 1

DIWAN-I-AM, RED FORT DEPARTMENT OF

BUILDING MATERIALS AND STRUCTURAL ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION
SYSTEMS
SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE,
NEW DELHI
 Building Structures Inspection Report: Diwan-i-Am

CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION
1. Identification
2. Location
3. Site setting
4. Protection Status

II. DESCRIPTION
1. History
2. Architectural Description
3. Structural System used in Construction
4.State of Conservation

IV. CONDITION ASSESSMENT

V. INSPECTION DETAILS
1. Inspection particulars
2. References

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 Building Structures Inspection Report: Diwan-i-Am

I.INTRODUCTION
1.IDENTIFICATION
Historic Name : Diwan-i-Am
Present Name : Diwan-i-Am
Period of Construction : 1639-1648 AD.
Typology : Building
Patron : Shah Jahan
Architect : Ustad Ahmad Lahori

2.LOCATION
State/Territory : New Delhi
Geographical Coordinates : 28°39'19.6"N, 77°14'32.1"E

Address: Opp. Chandini Chowk, Lal Qila, Old Delhi, New

Delhi, Delhi ,110001
Locality : Shahjahanabad

Fig: Plan of
Shahjanabad
showing red
Fort (Source
:CRCI,2006)
3.SITE

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 Building Structures Inspection Report: Diwan-i-Am

The Diwan-i-Am is a large pavilion for public imperial audiences at the centre of the
Red Fort. The entrance is through the Naubat-Khana (Drum house), from where
musicians played during ceremonies.It was formerly surrounded by arcaded
aprtments used by chiefs and Umaras on duty. To the north of the great hall was a
gateway leading to another smaller court, to the larger of the two courtyards before
the Diwan-i-Khas. The Diwan-i-Am is positioned between the public and private parts
of the fortress. It faces a large open courtyard, and behind the back wall lie the private
imperial palaces.

Fig: Location of Diwan-i-Am in Red Fort

4.PROTECTION STATUS
State of Protection : Protected
Ownership : Public, Archaeological Survey of India
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Monument No : ASI no. DL018(Red Fort)
Listing Status : Zafar Hasan listing Vol I: 12

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 Building Structures Inspection Report: Diwan-i-Am

Fig: The regulated development zone around Red Fort

In 1914 a large area within the Red Fort was designated as ‘Archaeological Area’ by
the British Indian Government. This area comprised most of the Mughal buildings
and remnants of gardens. The remaining part of the Fort was in the possession of the
Army. Post 1947, the designated area continued to be protected by the ASI while the
area under the Army came into the possession of the Indian Army. The Army vacated
the Fort precinct only in 2003, where-after this area too came under the jurisdiction
of the ASI.

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II.DESCRIPTION
1.HISTORY:
The Diwan-i-Am, or Hall of Audience, is a building in the Red Fort of Delhi where
the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and his successors received members of the general
public and heard their grievances. Its planning and aesthetics represent the zenith of
Mughal creativity prevailing during Shah Jahan's reign. In 1739, Persian
emperor Nadir Shah easily defeated the Mughal army, plundering the Red Fort
including the Throne. It was used as a garrison by the Marathas and British in the
later periods. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 as part of the
Red Fort Complex.

2.ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION
The Diwan is a hypostyle hall in red sandstone, 9 bays wide and 3 bays deep. Each
column has 12 sides, and supports cusped arches; this arch form, much used under
Shah Jahan, has early Indian origins that can be traced to both Hindu and Buddhist
sources. During Shah Jahan's time, the columns were plastered, painted and gilded,
with rich cloths draped between them to create an opulent atmosphere. The hall
measures 80 feet in length by 40 feet in breadth. It stands on a 4 feet plinth, the roof
parapet being some 30 feet above the level of the latter. In the centre of the east wall
is a recess some 21 feet in width and faced with the most exquisite designs in pietra
dura work. This ornate, canopied, throne-balcony for the emperor is of white marble,
carved and inlayed with precious stones. A low bench in front of the throne seats a
minister.It is known as Nashiman-i-Zill-i-Ilahi meaning the “ Seat of the Shadow of
God”. Panels of pietra dura work depicting birds and flowers decorate the wall behind
the throne; some of these were imported ready-made from Italy, while their settings
are in a similar, but Mughal, technique. The north west and south west corners of the
roof are emphasised by small chattris while a deep chajja sets off the lines of the
façade on the north, south and the west.
The Red Fort combines influences of diverse origins, such as indigenous Indian
architectural and decorative forms and European techniques andstyles: for instance
the Bangla roof, the chaukhandis, the relief work, the foliated arches and numerous
other influences of subcontinental origin; and baluster column (as argued by Ebba
Koch) and Italian inlay techniques and motifs of European origin (the figure of
Orpheus in the Diwan- i-Am jharokha).

Materials Used: The hall is built throughout of ed sandstone. Red sandstone columns
support the roof. The upper floor and the ante court of the Emperor, right behind the
throne balcony is made of Lakhori bricks and plastered with lime. The throne balcony
is made of white marble, inlayed with precious stones.

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Fig: View of Diwan I Am from Naqqar Khana Fig: Multifoliated arch bays in the court

3.STRUCTURAL SYSTEM USED IN CONSTRUCTION

Roof plan

Ground floor plan

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4.STATE OF CONSERVATION
The inlaid panels of throne balcony were said to have been in great damage during
the last Emperors of Mughal, and after the mutiny further portions were removed
and taken to England.In 1902, Lord Curzon brought back the portions and an Italian
craftsman restored it in its old position.This is documented and a detailed account is
published in ASI.
The Fort is owned by the Government of India and is in the possession of the
Archaeological Survey of India. While the Mughal buildings are protected under the
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act)
the colonial buildings are not.

The Government of India, by Order No. S.O.1764 dated 16 June 1992 (published in
theGazette of India, Part II, Section 3, sub-section(ii) dated 4 July 1992) declared
areas up to 100 metres from the protected limits, and beyond up to 200 metres near
or adjoining protected monuments to be ‘prohibited’ and ‘regulated’areas
respectively for the purpose of various operations such as mining and
construction.This notification protects the Red Fort complex and its immediate
surrounding areas from building activities that could be detrimental to the historic
fabric. In December 2003, the Indian army handed over the areas in it possession to
the Ministry of Tourism and Culture to facilitate restoration of the monument.

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III.CONDITION ASSESSMENT

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Exfoliation
It is the detachment of multiple thin stone layers (cm scale) that are sub-parallel to
the stone surface. This defect is a result of the way the stone is used in the building.
As red sandstone is a sedimentary rock, it has layers of sedimentation on its surface.
When it is used vertically for cladding, due to weathering, layers of the stone are
lost.

Cracks
Cracks in a structure can be caused because of many reasons like structural
movement or settlement of soil, weathering, defects in the material/internal
material shrinkages, hard re-pointing mortar, vibrations, fire/ frost/ temperature
variations, moisture/ humidity or chemical reactions.
Efflorescence
It is generally whitish, powdery or whisker-like crystals on the surface.
Efflorescence is
generally poorly cohesive and commonly made of soluble salt crystals.
Efflorescence is commonly the result of evaporation of saline water present in the
porous structure of the stone.

Bursting
It is the local loss of the stone surface from internal pressure usually manifesting in
the form of an irregularly sided crater. This deterioration pattern is due to the
increase of volume of mineral inclusions (clays, iron minerals, etc.) Naturally
contained in the stone and situated near its surface. The corrosion of metallic
reinforcing elements may also induce bursting.

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IV. CONCLUSION
The building is structurally stable, although minor cracks have started appearing
from the roof to the centre of arches. All the major defects in the building are also due
to seepage of moisture from the roof. The major effect of seepage of moisture is acidic
reactions of minerals in stone and salt deposit from rain water.This has resulted in
following defects.
1. Exfoliation of roof ceiling stone and flooring due to stagnant water.
2. Development of Cracks
3. Efflorescence due to salt deposits in rain water
4. Blackening and discoloration of stone.
5. Deteriorating parts of stone in the ceiling
6. Deterioration of Ceiling plaster
7.Bursting of stone joints
8. Erosion of floor surface.

All these major defects can be controlled by correcting the slope of the roofs and
laying a layer of damp proof coursing. Also, additional spouts have to provided and
also channelised to the ground to avoid splashing of water to the structure.

V.INSPECTION PARTICULARS
1.INSPECTION DETAILS
Name : Gayathri MR
Designation : Student, Masters in Architectural Conservation,
SPA, New Delhi.
Contact : +91 9496058010
Date and time of Inspection : 06.11.2019, 09:30 – 13:30 hrs

2.REFERENCES
BOOKS
• Koch, Ebba, 1991. Mughal Architecture. Munich: Prestel, 112-3.
• Mukherji, Anisha Shekhar. 2003. The red fort of Shahjahanabad. Delhi; Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
• Tillotson, G.H.R. 1990. Mughal India. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 58.
WEBSITES
• Programme, Aga Khan Trust for Culture Education.
https://archnet.org/sites/2544. n.d. English. 14 11 2019.
• Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Red-Fort. n.d. 2019.

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