1 minute read
JHAROKA DARSHAN
These platforms hold an almost ritualistic historic value. During the Mughal reign, emperors were known to practice ‘jharoka darshan’ – the daily act of appearing on the strategically designed jharoka to greet their patiently awaiting audience in the Diwan-e-Aam (courtyard of the ‘commoners’). It was once an essential custom, creating a bond between the rulers and his subjects.
Advertisement
The sun filtered through the intricately carved jalis (lattice) of the heavily ornamented balconies. This play of light and shadows formed enticing geometrical patterns, adding to the allure of the Mughal emperor’s daily appearance on the jharoka. Shah Jehan, during his 30-year reign, never failed to address his audience from his elevated platform alongside his wife, Nur Jehan. The custom held such a prominent value that failure to emerge from the jharoka during his illness in 1657 lead to the rumors of his death (Koch 2010).
