Baradari (architecture)

Hazuri Bagh-Baradari, Lahore (around 1820)

Gujranwala - Baradari, interior view

As Baradari or Bara Dari ( Urdu بارہ دری) in the north of India and in the north-east of today's Pakistan is an originally single-storey, twelve-door ( bara = 'twelve', dar = 'door'), representative reception or festival pavilion, open on all sides. In some regions or in some buildings the terms 'Baradari' and 'Diwan-i-Am' or 'Diwan-i-Khas' overlap.

History and function

The first Baradaris seem to come from the Mughal period and were integrated into the building ensembles of the large fortress and palace complexes (e.g. Red Fort, Delhi ). Later they were erected as isolated structures in public gardens. They acted as a representative ambience for receptions and parties; the covered middle section was often used as a dance floor or for musical or acrobatic performances. Later the Rajput princes of India (especially in Rajasthan ) imitated these buildings. Some cities (e.g. Lahore ) had multiple baradaris. A few two-storey baradaris were also built in the 19th century.