नक़्क़ार ख़ाना / نقّار خانہ

A Naubat Khana/ Naggar Khana is a space that literally translates to ‘Drum House’, located in the upper storey of the main entrance to a palace/temple complex. Naubat Khanas were typical of Indo-Islamic culture where playing the drum (the Naubat) and music at the beginning of an important event/travel/venture is considered auspicious. Playing the drums also signifies celebration and victory. The Naubat Khana is located such that the sound of the drums can be heard both inside and outside a palace/temple complex, at the same time, allowing for processions to pass unhindered through the entrance gate. The Naubat Khana also functioned as a time-keeper, announcing the opening and closing of the gate by playing different types of rhythms. In Ahmedabad, Gujarat, the Naubat is still played 3 times a day at the entrance of the King’s tomb.