Naqqar khana
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. You can assist by editing it now. A how-to guide is available, as is general documentation. This article has been tagged since March 2007. |
Naqqar khana or Naubat khana is a term for a drum house or place for an orchestra during ceremonies. They are a distinct sign of Mughal architecture. They are to be found in India, Pakistan, Iran etc. The name comes from Naqqar or Naubat meaning Shehnai, and khana means 'a place related to', thus Naubat khana means a place where Shehnai is performed.
In Red Fort in Delhi, on the eastern side of the ten pillars lane was the main entrance and a pavilion where royal palanquins and other paraphernalia were placed. There was an another pavilion housing 18 kinds of musical instruments that used to form part of the royal entourage. These pavilions existed in a dilapidated form, until 100 years ago and were called Naubatkhana. The Naubatkhana was so dilapidated during the last century that the American Mission declined to take it as a gift. It was then restored by George Fisher in 1858 for the use of the new Zilla School. Naubatkhana was used for some time as the police headquarters. Now a middle school of Sourastra Community is functioning in this building.
The construction of the palace was completed in 1636 CE. But during 1659 it was suffered to damage by the then ruler and the grandson of the builder Thirumalai Naick. His grandson Chockanatha Naick, in order to carry the materials to Trichy to establish a new palace pulled down some of the portions like Rangavilasam. The throne, costly jewels and other valuable treasures were taken to Trichy. But there too the materials were not utilized and no palace was constructed there. Due to passage of time and neglect a number of other parts of the palace disappeared. In the last century, a part of the building to the west of the celestial pavilion collapsed in a torrential rain. Then most of the palace portions were encroached by the people and converted into their residences.
Bharat Ratna Bismillah Khan's family had played shehnai for generations in Naubatkhana, which overlooked palaces and temples, and enabled their music to be heard across the countryside.
