File:Diwan-i-Khas, Fatehpur Sikri interior.jpg

English: Built by Emperor Akbar between 1571 and 1585 in honor of Salim Chishti, a famous Sufi saint of the Chishti order, Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of the Mughal empire for 14 years. One of the best examples of a Mug hal walled city, with defined areas and imposing gateways, its architecture is a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles, and reflects Akbar's secular vision as well as his type of governance. The city was abandoned, some say for lack of water, in 1585, and many of its treasures were plundered.

The Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), found at the northern end of the Pachisi Courtyard (to your right), is a two-storey building with corner kiosks. It is a single room with a unique circular throne platform. A debating chamber, Akbar would spend long hours here in discussion with Christians, Jains, Buddhists, Hindus and Parsis. They would sit along the walls of the balcony connected to the Throne Pillar by screened ‘bridges’, while courtiers could listen to the discussions from the ground floor.

It looks nothing special from the outside, but the interior is dominated by a magnificently carved stone central column. This pillar flares to create a flat-topped plinth linked to the four corners of the room by narrow stone bridges. From this plinth Akbar is believed to have debated with scholars and ministers who stood at the ends of the four bridges.

The hall is a unique fusion of different architectural styles and religious motifs – the pillar is lotus shaped (a Hindu and Buddhist motif), the Royal Umbrella ( chhattri) is Hindu, and the Tree of Life, Islamic. The bottom of the pillar is carved in four tiers; Muslim, Hindu, Christian and Buddhist designs. The Throne Pillar can be approached by steps from the outside although there is no access to the upper floor. The design of the Hall deliberately followed the archaic universal pattern of establishing a hallowed spot from which spiritual influence could radiate. In his later years, Akbar developed a mystical cult around himself that saw him as being semi-divine.