Page:The Seven Cities of Delhi.djvu/34

 "If Paradise be on the face of the earth, It is this, even this, it is this."

Once the Peacock Throne stood in this hall ; when that had been carried away a canopied throne of wood, covered with thin gold plates, was substituted. This, presumably, was broken up after the Mutiny. Another throne of block crystal, which used to stand in this hall, is now at Windsor ; this may have come from Arangpur, a few miles south of Delhi. There remains now only a marble seat.

Khās Mahal (p. 156). — Next to the Diwan Khas is a little group of buildings, the "Picture Room" and "Octagon Tower" adjoining, which the king himself occupied. Projecting over the river-wall is a rather modern balcony, constructed by Akbar Shah the Second; from this he used to show himself daily to his subjects, assembled in the river-bed below ; this was an ancient custom, instituted by the Great Akbar. Many Hindus would not take their food unless they had attended this ceremony, which was considered of great importance, and rightly so, for who knew if the emperor were alive, if he did not appear ? Palace intrigue was thoroughly understood in those days.