PACHISI BOARD.—­In the northern half of the great palace quadrangle is a pachisi board, cut on the pavement, similar to the one in the Samman Burj in the Agra Fort.  Here Akbar and the ladies of the Court would amuse themselves by playing the game with slave girls as living pieces.  The dice were thrown on the small platform in the centre of the board.

THE DIWAN-I-KHAS.—­Further towards the north, immediately opposite to the Kwabgah, is a square detached building, a fine example of the dignified style of the period, for it owes none of its effects to imposing dimensions, but only to the skill with which the architect has treated a difficult subject.  This is the Diwan-i-Khas, or Hall of Private Audience.  On the outside it would appear to be a two-storied building, but on entering it is seen to contain only a single vaulted chamber, surrounded halfway up by a gallery.  A magnificent carved column, with a gigantic bracket capital (Plate XI.), standing alone in the centre of the chamber, supports four branches or railed passages, which meet this gallery at the four corners.  This most original construction carried Akbar’s throne, which was placed immediately over the great column.  The ministers attended at the four corners of the gallery; the great nobles and others admitted to the audience thronged the floor beneath.  The gallery is approached by two staircases, in the thickness of the walls, which also lead up to the roof. [14]

THE ANKH-MICHAULI.—­Close by the Diwan-i-Khas, on the west side, is a building which the native guides, always ready to amuse the innocent tourist, describe as the Ankh-Michauli, or “Blind-man’s Buff House.”  There is a legend that Akbar here played hide-and-seek with the ladies of the zanana.  The same story is told about a set of apartments in the Jahangiri Mahal in the Agra Fort, but the only ground for it seems to be that the arrangement of the rooms might lend itself to such diversions.  It most probably contained strong-rooms for the safe custody of valuables, either state archives or jewels.

THE YOGI’S SEAT.—­At the corner of the Ankh-Michauli is a square platform covered by a domed canopy.  The great carved brackets which support the architraves are very characteristic of Jaina construction.  This was the seat of one of the Yogis, or Hindu fakirs, who enjoyed the Emperor’s favour.  Akbar devoted much attention to the occult powers claimed by these men.  He even practised alchemy and showed in public some of the gold made by him.

THE HOSPITAL.—­Adjoining the Ankh-Michauli are the remains of a long, low building, which was the hospital; a few of the wards still remain.  Possibly this was arranged on the model of the hospital which Akbar allowed the Jesuit Fathers to build in the city.  He also permitted them to construct a small chapel.  The records of the missionaries tell us that Akbar once came there alone, removed his turban and offered prayers, first kneeling in the Christian