dewans

Dewans is a term derived from the Persian diwan, used across several languages to denote a government office, a council, or a large hall used for audiences. The word carries administrative and ceremonial associations and appears in both historical and contemporary contexts. In Persianate administrations, a diwān referred to a department or office responsible for matters such as revenue, justice, or state correspondence; the head of such a division might be titled diwān or minister. In Mughal and related dynasties, diwāns included diwān-e-ām (the public audience hall) and diwān-e-khās (the private audience hall), as well as the revenue diwān overseeing taxation and accounts.

In architectural and ceremonial usage, a dewan or diwan denotes a grand hall within a palace, fort, or mosque used for receptions, councils, or court sessions. The term is preserved in various place names and official designations, reflecting its dual sense as both an administrative office and a ceremonial space.

In modern contexts, the word remains common in legislative and parliamentary terminology in some languages. Notably in Malaysia, two houses of government are called the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives) and the Dewan Negara (Senate). The term also appears in other Southeast Asian and South Asian languages to denote a council body, a legislative chamber, or a public hall, depending on local usage. Spelling and pronunciation vary by language, including dewan, diwan, or divan.