Fatehpur Sikri is a hill palace outside of Agra, constructed by Akbar. This is the Diwan-i-Khas, or Hall of Private Audience. The central pillar, which has a square base and an octagonal shaft, both carved with bands of geometric and floral designs, further its thirty-six serpentine brackets support a circular platform for Akbar, which is connected to each corner of the building on the first floor, by four stone walkways. It is here that Akbar had representatives of different religions discuss their faiths and gave private audience.