Naqqar Khana ( hi, नक़्क़ार ख़ाना, ur, ) or Naubat Khana (Hindi: नौबत ख़ाना, Urdu: ) is a term for a drum house or orchestra pit during ceremonies. The name literally means ''drum'' (Naqqar/Naubat)-''house'' (Khana).
They are a distinct sign of
Mughal architecture and were constructed under areas their influence in
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
,
Pakistan
Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...
and nearby countries.
Bismillah Khan
Bismillah Khan (born Amaruddin Khan, 21 March 1916 – 21 August 2006), often referred to by the title ''Ustad'', was an Indian musician credited with popularizing the shehnai, a reeded woodwind instrument. While the shehnai had long held imp ...
's family had played
shehnai
The ''shehnai'' is a musical instrument, originating from the Indian subcontinent. It is made of wood, with a double reed at one end and a metal or wooden flared bell at the other end.[Red Fort
The Red Fort or Lal Qila () is a historic fort in Old Delhi, Delhi in India that served as the main residence of the Mughal Emperors. Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned construction of the Red Fort on 12 May 1638, when he decided to shift ...]
in
Delhi
Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India containing New Delhi, the capital of India. Straddling the Yamuna river, primarily its western or right bank, Delhi shares borders w ...
is near the entrance on the eastern side of the ten pillars lane, next to a different pavilion where royal palanquins and other paraphernalia were placed. It housed 18 kinds of musical instruments that used to form part of the royal entourage.
It was constructed in 1636 CE by the Mughals. After the end of their patronage, Naubat Khana fell into a state of disrepair and remained in that state for almost a century until a Britisher named George Fisher restored it in 1858 for the new ''Zilla School'' (district school). After the end of
British Raj
The British Raj (; from Hindi ''rāj'': kingdom, realm, state, or empire) was the rule of the British Crown on the Indian subcontinent;
*
* it is also called Crown rule in India,
*
*
*
*
or Direct rule in India,
* Quote: "Mill, who was himsel ...
, the place became dilapidated. The American Mission declined to take it as a gift due to its poor condition. The government used it as the police headquarters for some time, but currently it serves as a middle school.
Recently, one of its side was painted white (from the original red) by
Archaeological Survey of India
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is an Indian government agency that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural historical monuments in the country. It was founded in 1861 by Alexande ...
as it is thought to be its original color.
Taj Mahal
The
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal (; ) is an Islamic ivory-white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the river Yamuna in the Indian city of Agra. It was commissioned in 1631 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan () to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mu ...
complex has two Naubat Khanas overlooking the pool in the Charbagh garden.
References
Mughal architecture elements
Medieval music
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