Hathi Pear

Built by Emperor Shah jahan in 1631-32 A.D, the Hathi Paer or Elephants Stairs served the purpose for passage ways meant for elephants carrying the royalty to and from the palace above. These stairs took the royalty starting from the Shah Burj Gate and ending at the entrance of the Shish Mahal. It is an expansive staircase having 58 low and broad steps 216 feet in length and 18/8 feet in width.

 It was constructed with small bricks and lime plaster, paving the way for the exclusive access of nobility to the private quarters. The western wall has multiple niches both in the lower and upper storey. The Royal guards, Khawja-Saras (Eunuchs) and Naqibs used to stay here to serve the royalty and to announce their movement. The upper gallery of this building is connected to Shish Mahal. The high-end panel walls of east and west were damaged in 1841 during the succession wars in Sikh period.