Mughal gardens are a group of gardens built by the Mughals in the Islamic style of architecture. This style was heavily influenced by the Persian gardens particularly the Charbagh structure. Significant use of rectilinear layouts are made within the walled enclosures. Some of the typical features include pools, fountains and canals inside the gardens.
The Mughal Gardens in Srinagar reflects the sense of beauty and the lavish styles of the Mughal era in India.
Nishat Garden or Nishat Bagh is the garden that was laid by Asif Khan the brother of Nur Jehan in the year 1633. Zabarwan hills acts as the backdrop of this beautiful garden that is situated on the banks of Dal Lake. The garden, which has an area of 548mx338m, is house to beautiful flowering trees and the tall chinars add a majestic touch to the garden. The garden has terraces and water canals flowing through the middle. The most striking feature of the Nishat Bagh, which is perhaps the largest of the three Mughal Gardens in Srinagar, is the presence of 12 zodiac signs in the 12 flowering terraces of the garden. The flowering terraces gradually come down in slopes almost intermingling with the water of the Dal Lake in Srinagar. Shalimar Garden or Shalimar Bagh, second in size among the Mughal Gardens at Srinagar also has the name of Nur Jehan attached to it. This is because this garden was built by Jahangir for his wife Nur Jehan. This garden is also marked by the presence of terraces that are separated by water channels. There are four terraces in this garden having an area of 539×182 meters and the water to this garden is supplied from Harwan through a canal which is lined with fountains.
The topmost terraces were reserved for the royalty especially the 4th terrace which was meant for the royal ladies. There is a pavilion, in the 4th terrace, which served as a banquet hall. The pavilion gets its support from the marble pillars, black in color and having beautiful engravings in them. The garden is designed in such a fashion that the fountains and the trees create the illusion of slowly moving towards the horizon.
Chashmashahi in Srinagar, which is the smallest among the Mughal Gardens of Srinagar, is famous for its springs. However, here also you will find beautiful flowering trees and elegant Cypresses and Chinars. There are several small and large gardens located in and around Srinagar. The oldest of the Mughal Gardens in Kashmir is Nasim Bagh which was constructed by Emperor Akbar in 1586 and one may have a very pleasant view of the Dal Lake from Nasim Bagh.
You can reach the Mughal Gardens either by taking a taxi, or by car or by the buses plying through the highway. It will take you around 10 to 12 hours to cover the distance and on the way you have to cross the famous Jawahar Tunnel that acts as a link between Kashmir and the rest of India.
Mughal gardens are the gems of kashmir. we offer special packages to visit these historical mughal garden keeping your budget needs in mind. mughal gardens are the oldest gardens in kashmir.
History
The founder of the Mughal empire, Babur, described his favourite type of garden as a charbagh. This word developed a new meaning in India, as Babur explains, India lacked the fast-flowing streams required for the Central Asian charbagh. The Agra garden, now known as the Ram Bagh, is thought to have been the first charbagh. India, Bangladesh and Pakistan have a number of Mughal gardens which differ from their Central Asian predecessors with respect to “the highly disciplined geometry”.
An early textual references about Mughal gardens are found in the memoirs and biographies of the Mughal emperors, including those of Babur, Humayun and Akbar. Later references are found from “the accounts of India” written by various European travellers (Bernier for example). The first serious historical study of Mughal gardens was written by Constance Villiers-Stuart, with the title Gardens of the Great Mughals (1913).