From the archive record
The Diwan-i-Khas or "hall of private audience" was used by the emperor for giving private audience to the courtiers and state guests. The hall, with openings of engrailed arches on its sides consists of a rectangular central chamber surrounded by aisles of arches rising from piers. The lower parts of the piers are inlaid with floral designs, while the upper portions are gilded and painted. The four corners of its roof are surrounded by pillared chhatris. Over the marble pedestal in its center stood the famous Peacock Throne which was removed in 1739 by Nadir Shah of Persia and later in the year 1760 the Marathas removed and looted the Silver ceiling of the Diwan-i-Khas. Through the center of the hall flowed the Nahr-i-Bihisht or the "stream of paradise". Over the corner arches of the north