Kings Audience Hall / Durbar Hall

Overview of King’s Audience Hall

King’s Audience Hall or alternatively in a colloquial language known as Durbar Hall is located within the grand complex of Royal Enclosure in Hampi. As the name suggests, the building was used by the Kings of Vijayanagar Empire. King’s Audience Hall fell during the raid of the Deccan Sultanate, but the ruins are still royally magnanimous placed on the western quadrant of the Mahanavami Dibba. 

According to historians, the structure held a significant place within the Royal Enclosure and in Hampi. The colossal structure was appropriate for the King of Vijayanagar to conduct their royal business. Although structures in Hampi are almost ruined, King’s Audience Hall urges the visitors to include in their Hampi tour package.

History of King’s Audience Hall

During the Vijayanagar Era, the King used to hold meetings with his citizens and other noblemen to discuss the common grievances. Although, the archaeologists claim by studying the ruins that the King’s Audience Hall held a significant position in Hampi, the renowned Historian Abdur Razzak left behind proofs of the grandiosity of the place. He paid a visit during the rule of Vijayanagar King Devaraya II. 

The historians say that many significant noblemen used to visit the court. Those subjects used to travel from far distances into the Durbar Hall. Within the premises, along stone-built was discovered which solely indicates the storage of water for the noblemen’s horses. This is one of the interesting places to visit in Hampi.

Architecture of King’s Audience Hall

The ruined King’s Audience Hall building was constructed from the expert hands of the Vijayanagar Kingdom. The structure included wood and large blocks of stones. Within the Durbar Hall, there are remnants of a broken staircase, which indicates the structure was of two-storied. The pillars were constructed out of Sandalwood trees. 

Therefore, this maybe the reason due to the downfall of the superstructure. Inside the ruined structure, UNESCO and Government preserved whatever carvings were left within the walls. The Durbar Hall stood in a magnificent place which used to witness the epitome of beauty of the town. This place is worthy sightseeing in Hampi tourism.