Mughal Administration c11.12

c11.12

In the eastern wall of the Agra palace (as well as at Delhi) there is a balcony, called the *jharokha-i-darshan*, overlooking the foreshore of the Jamuna which stretches like a plain below. Vast crowds of expectant people assembled on this sandy plain every morning while the Emperor was in residence. He used to appear at the balcony about three quarters of an hour after sunrise and show his face to his subjects, who at once bowed, while he returned their salute. Half an hour or more was spent here, not merely in showing himself but also in doing business. The plain being outside the fort walls, the public had free access to it, and the oppressed could submit their petitions and make their complaints to the Emperor without having to grease the palms of the door-keepers and Court-underlings. Often a string was let down from the balcony, and the people tied their petitions to it, which were then drawn up by the attendants and submitted to the Emperor.