Jahaz Mahal
Jahaz Mahal (in Urdu Language 'Jahaz' means "Ship" and 'Mahal' means "Palace", the "Ship Palace"), is located next to Hauz-i-Shamsiin Mehrauli, Delhi on its northeastern corner. It was so named, since its reflection (illusion) in the surrounding reservoir looked like a ship floating on a lake. It is inferred to have been built during the Lodi dynasty period (1452–1526) as a pleasure resort or a sarai or an inn.
History
One reason for building the Jahaz Mahal retreat was to provide transit accommodation as a seraior (inn) to the large number of pilgrims from Afghanistan, Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Morocco and Turkeywho came to Delhi to visit the many Muslim shrines. Another version is that it was built as a retreat for the emperors, (Akbar Shah II and Bahadur Shah II and their families, during the summer months, away from the heat and dust of Delhi.[3] Its construction is dated between 1451 AD and 1526 AD, before Babar's invasion and the beginning of Mughal rule in Delhi.
Structure
The palace is approached from the eastern side. A courtyard, originally in a rectangular shape now seen in 'U' shape, is in the center of the palace. The palace has carved impressive squarechhatris (six of them with different numbers of pillars – six, eight and twelve) or towers in the corners and the centre, ornamented with beautiful squinches in different chambers and walls (pictures in the gallery). The domed pavilion over the central gate is decorated with blue tiles. A small mosque is also located within the palace, as discerned from a mihrab in a niche on the west wall.
Cultural event
Jahaz Mahal is the venue of the annual colorful festival of the Phool Walon Ki Sair (means a procession of the florists) or 'Sair-i-Gulfaroshan' held in October. A procession of flower bedecked pankhas (fans) made and carried by the flower vendors starts from Mehrauli at the overflow outlet of the Hauz-i-Shamsi tank, called "Jharna", stops at the Yogmaya Temple for the first offering of the flower fan as mark of reverence, moves to the Jahaz Mahal and finally ends at the famous dargah of Hazrat Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki for the presentation of the fans and chaddar atKaki's dargha. It marks the syncretic Hindu-Muslim composite culture. The festival was started by Emperor Akbar Shah II in 1820. It was popularised by Emperor Bahadur Shah II. It was discontinued from 1942 for a time during theBritish period but was restarted in 1961 at the initiative of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. The three day festival is held at the Jahaj Mahal where elaborate cultural programmes are organised. Cultural troupes from several States of India perform dances, drama programmes and hold musical soirees (particularly Qawwalis), in their colourful regional costumes and aspire for honours recognising their talent. Fire dancers lead the procession with pankahs.
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