Shalimar Garden | Lahore History & Architecture

Shalimar Garden

The Shalimar Gardens are a collection of Mughal gardens situated in Lahore, Pakistan. The gardens are one of Pakistan's most well-liked tourist attractions and date back to the Mughal Empire's artistic and aesthetic height.

The Shalimar Gardens' Persian paradise garden design was developed to represent an idealised version of earth where people coexist peacefully with all other elements of nature. The gardens were built under the reign of Shah Jahan, beginning in 1641 and ending in 1642. Due to its representation of Mughal garden design at its apex, the Shalimar Gardens were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.

History Shalimar Garden

A tract of land near to the River Ravi was allegedly revealed by a flood in Lahore sometime in 1620. Because of the constant water supply, the naturally graded topography, and the great, nutritious soil, it was the ideal place to set up the garden.

The area was formerly owned by Baghbanpura's illustrious and aristocratic Arain family. They were honoured for their aid and accomplishments during the Mughal dynasty by being given the royal title "Mian."

The family was then under pressure from royal engineers to give up this plot of land. The patriarch of the family, Mian Muhammad Yusuf, eventually contributed to the construction of Shalimar Gardens.

But Shah Jahan compensated them by appointing them as custodians. It was run for approximately 350 years. until General Ayub Khan declared it state property in 1962, by the family.

Planning for the complex started in 1641 and was completed in 1642. Khalilullah Khan, a nobleman in Shah Jahan's court, directed the project's execution. The attempt to reconstruct the Garden of Eden is referred to as "the lost paradise."

Its main inspiration came from the Shalimar Gardens in Kashmir, which Jahangir (Shah Jahan's father) had built in 1620. This is the kind of private garden that Shah Jahan desired for his family and court officials. For this reason, it is surrounded by tall boundary walls.

During the fall of the Mughal empire, the Shalimar Gardens suffered substantial harm; the marble had been seized, and the gates had been taken and sold. However, the king of that time rebuilt it in 1806. Significant repairs have now been performed to maintain this rich, lovely setting.

 Architecture Shalimar Garden

The garden is over 80 acres in size and measures 658 by 258 metres. The rectilinear design smoothly mixes Iranian influence with conventional Islamic architecture. Seven terraces once existed, but only three remain. They used to slope from the south to the north of the garden.

They are separated by conventional flowerbeds, a variety of trees (including cypress, poplar, gotcha, mango, and plum), as well as elaborate water features, and each is set roughly 15 feet above the other.

The name of the tallest terrace is Farah Baksh. (Bestower of Pleasure). It is believed that monarchical women used it the most frequently due to its privacy and partial concealment from view. The middle terrace, also known as Faiz Baksh (Bestower of), was personally commissioned by the monarch  Kindness).

The bottom terrace, Hayat Baksh, was the only one having a public entrance. (Bestower of Life). The public occasionally had restricted access, and it was accessible to the court's noblemen. The escalating hierarchy of the terraces provides a crucial visual representation of the many social classes that are represented in the court.

Art historians consider the red masonry walls around the terraced garden, which include intricate fretwork, to be a true representation of Mughal art.

To irrigate the garden, a canal known as Shah Nahar (Royal Canal) was transported from Rajpur. It circulates across the entire park before draining into a sizable marble basin on the middle terrace, where it supplies 410 fountains (105 on the upper terrace and 152 on the middle terrace) with water. 153 on the lower-level terrace, and 153 on the mid-level terrace).

The architecture of the building enables the water to cool as it enters the substantial marble ponds at the base of the three terraces.

The garden is also large and contains numerous miniature buildings that the royal family employed for a variety of uses. Two of the most popular halls are the Aiwan and the Diwan-e-Khas-o-Aam. The former was a spectacular hall that was frequently utilised for a variety of purposes. the emperors of Mughal.

However, the latter was used to entertain both domestic and foreign visitors. The park also has a few summer pavilions that provide shade from the heat of the season.

FAQ

Where is Shalimar Garden located?

The Shalimar Gardens are located in the old peninsula of Lahore on the eastern side of the Walled City. It is situated on the Grand Trunk Road next to the Shahi Qila, another outstanding piece of architecture. (Lahore Fort).

It is open to the public every day of the week, and admission only costs Rs. 20.

Who built Shalimar Garden?

In 1641-2, Shah Jahan constructed the Shalimar Gardens, a Mughal garden. It is evidence of the pinnacle of Mughal aesthetic expression and layers of Persian influences over mediaeval Islamic garden norms.

What is Shalimar Garden famous for?

The Shalimar Bagh's china khanas, or arched nooks, are well-known. They are located beneath the garden waterfalls. These set the Bagh apart as a whole. These nooks were lit at night by oil lamps, giving the waterfalls a surreal appearance.

How much does Shalimar Garden cost?

The neighbourhood has 40+ luxury properties with rents > 20000/month, 20+ mid-segment properties with rents between 15000 and 20000/month, and 20+ affordable properties with rents of 15000/month. At Shalimar Bagh, the average monthly rent ranges from $12,200 to $28,800.