Question

A central hall surrounded by eight rooms are known as ___.
A) Eight paradises
B) Diwan-i-Aam
C) Diwan-i-Khas
D) None of these

Answer 1

Hint:
- The Diwan-i-Aam is a section of the Agra Fort in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
- The emperor, Shah Jahan, would converse with his advisors and see important visitors in the Diwan-i-Khas, or Hall of Private Audience.
- The term 'Eight Paradises' refers to a sort of layout found in Persian and Mughal architecture.

Complete answer:
The term 'Eight Paradises' refers to a layout that is divided into eight chambers surrounding a centre room. The eight divisions of such constructions, as well as their prevalent octagonal forms, symbolise the eight levels of paradise for Muslims.

Let us look at the given options:
A) Eight paradises: This is the correct option. The first example of a tomb building may be found in Humayun's tomb. The tomb was created in the "eight paradises" or hasht bihisht fashion, with a central hall surrounded by eight apartments, in the centre of a large formal chahar bagh. The structure was made of red sandstone with white marble accents.

B) Diwan-i-Aam: This option is incorrect because built between 1631 and 1640 during Emperor Shah Jahan's reign, the Diwan-i-Am or Public Audience Hall is set back from the river and on a lower level. It has three sides that are open and overlook a wide courtyard. Three aisles of cusped arches make up the interior, giving it an attractive and harmonious aspect. It is not surrounded by eight rooms.

C) Diwan-i-Khas: This option is incorrect because Diwan-i-khas is not surrounded by eight rooms. During the reign of Shah Jahan, the Diwan-i-Khas, or Private Audience Hall, was constructed in 1635. It's made of white marble and has inlay work and sculpted reliefs on it. It has five cusped arches on its exterior and open colonnades that lead to a three-sided hall.

D) None of these: This option is incorrect because the correct answer is Option A.

Thus, the correct answer is Option (A) Eight paradises.

Note: Hasht Behesht is a 17th-century pavilion in Isfahan, Iran, that literally means "the Eight Heavens" in Persian. It was built on the orders of Suleiman I, Iran's ninth shah, and used primarily as a private pavilion. It's on Isfahan's well-known Charbagh Street. It was also known as His Majesty's School, and it was Isfahan's first modern school.