Naubat – Ahmedabad Taking Traditions Forward

Naubat, The Naubat Khana, or Naqqar Khana, is the drum house that stands at the entrance between the outer and inner court of Rajano/Badshahno Hajiro, Ahmedabad. Naubat is actually a type of music that is played using Shehnai (similar to flute) and Naqqar/tikorkhana (Drum). 

The musicians from the Naubat Khana would announce the arrival of the emperor and other dignitaries at the court of the public audience. In the past, the music was also played five times a day at chosen hours.

The beauty is that this tradition is being upheld by the direct descendants of the original musicians who were appointed by the Badshah. That’s what we call culture, Ahmedabad’s culture.

Today, this tradition is followed by Amir, Moinuddin, and Sheru. They play the shehnai and tikorkhana facing Badshah no Hajiro. They were trained by their father Banumiyan. We are happy to share that they will pass this tradition to their coming generations so that they continue to play in memory of the Sultan.