Palace of Parliament
History
The Parliament of Packilvania (luMijhalis luBas) was established in 1680 by Sultan Saidun the Conqueror. The body's members, who all sat in one house and were members of the nobility of Packilvania, first gathered at the Great Court of Lions (luKhama luBas aleGisam) in the Halaler Imperial Palace (luQasoor luShahitishme aHalaler) which was an indoor courtyard flanked by pillars capped by statues of lionine beasts. Under his successor, Sultan Ishak IV, the Mijhalis luBas met once a year in the Court of the Esma Ashrafiya (luKhama amuYusma Ashrafiya) once a year. The luKhama amuYusma Ashrafiya was expanded by Sultan Zygros I to accommodate the increasing number of members through a merger with the Court of Elephants (luKhama aleVuray) which were together referred to as the Court of the Kings of Beasts (luKhama aleMamluk aleQuyar). They continued to meet in this court until the reign of Sultan Zygros II who in turn made renovations and expansions to the luKhama aleMamluk aleQuyar. The body began to meet twice a year and Zygros II felt that the body's meetings were disruptive to the regular functioning of the court and so he commissioned the construction of the Ladiyam Palace which was built in the town of Ladiyam located 20 kilometres from the city of Bingol.
The Ladiyam Palace was built in the Ornamental Style fashionable in the era. The Grand Vizier of Parliament (muVazeer muBas aluMijhalis luBas or simply muVazeer aluMijhalis) became a permanent employee of the Crown and resided full-time in the Ladiyam Palace. His duties and powers expanded to not only act as the custodian of the Ladiyam Palace and its surrounding gardens, but also to summon members, organise and preside over sessions. The Sultan then managed the functioning of the Parliament through the muVazeer aluMijhalis, this enabled the professionalisation of this body and the creation of the Code of Procedure of the Parliament (luTalimat aluThariqa aluMijhalis luBas) which was housed in the Library of the Grand Vizier (Merufiyakhim amuVazeer muBas). This Library began being used by scholars and scribes working for the nobles who wanted to come prepared and be knowledgeable before coming to its sessions. This was especially important when the Sultan delegated the power to summon the body to the Grand Viziers. In wanting to promote their policies and profile they began to summon the luMijhalis luBas more often to report on their work resulting in meetings happening quarterly.
The nobles felt that they needed to live in Ladiyam or Bingol in order to serve their duties. So, the Sultan then had apartments constructed for what were called Permanent Members as opposed to Sessional Members who were represented by Proxies and attended only once a year. The Permanent Members and Proxies then had apartments to do their work and house their staff. Ishak V expanded the Parliament's size following protests by the merchants to be represented in the body through the formation of the Consultative Assembly. He then ordered the construction of Great Hall of the Commons (luShaam luBas ameAlmun) when the Consultative Assembly was summoned once a year. This was too small and the Sultan ordered the constitution of the Palace of Parliament, the modern building as it stands was constructed. The architect Khajnam Shulmaniyah designed the new structure.
Interior
The Legislative Council of Packilvania sits in the Chamber of the Legislative Council (luShaam aluMijhalis luKhanonifiya). The seats in the room are arranged in a hemicycle with a raised dais with desks and chairs where the officials of the body sit. The Speaker's chair sits in the Center of the dais. Behind the Speaker's chair is the Sultan's throne. Between the dais and the seats of the hemicycle is a lectern where speakers can speak. Beside the lectern is a plinth on which the Imperial Mace sits. The Imperial Mace represents the authority of the Legislative Council to pass laws and other legislative acts. There are galleries in the back where visitors and the public can sit. Before one reaches the Chamber of the Legislative Council is the Lobby of the Legislative Council (luShaamfitar aluMijhalis luKhanonifiya). The Lobby has tiled floors and pillars along the walls with paintings and decorations.
The Speaker's Rooms (leShaamne amuTamuk) are a section of the building where the offices and other ancillary rooms used by the Office of the Speaker are located. The Speaker's Office (luBuriy amuTamuk) is a room containing a large desk in the centre. There are windows opposite on the other side of the room. The office has a painting in the background and shelves for books. The Speaker's Library (luMerufiyakhim amuTamuk) is a room where there are books and other records accessible only to the Speaker and others invited there by his permission.