Nishat Bagh in Srinagar

Nishat Bagh is a terraced Mughal garden that was constructed on the eastern shore of Dal Lake, close to Srinagar in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is the second biggest Mughal gardens within the Kashmir Valley. The biggest in terms of size of all is Shalimar Bagh, which is situated on the bank of Dal Lake. “Nishat Bagh” is Urdu that translates to “Garden of Joy,” “Garden of Gladness” and “Garden of Delight.

The Nishat Bagh is located on the shores of Dal Lake, with the Zabarwan Mountains as its backdrop, Nishat Bagh is a paradise garden that has stunning views of the lake under its snow-capped Pir Panjal Mountain range which is located from towards the West side and west of the valley. The Bagh was planned and constructed during 1633. It was designed and built in 1633 by Asif Khan, the elder Brother of Nur Jehan.

An interesting story about the jealousy felt by his emperor Shah Jahan on beholding such beautiful gardens, that nearly shut down the garden for a time, is told. After Shah Jahan saw this garden following its completion in 1633, the emperor expressed his admiration of the beauty and grandeur of it. It is believed that he expressed his appreciation at least three times in front of Asif Khan the father of his children in the hope that he would give the garden to him. As the offer was not given by the Asif Khan Shah Jahan was piqued and was able to order the closing for the supply of water to the gardens. For a time the garden was abandoned. Asif Khan was depressed and devastated; he was not interested in the things. While he was reclining under the canopy of trees on one of the gardens his servant was courageous enough to switch off the water supply source that came from Shalimar Bagh. Shalimar Bagh. When Asif Khan was awakened by the sounds of water as well as the fountains the fountains were roaring, he immediately ordered the closure of the water sources, as he was afraid of the most severe punishment from the Emperor for this indifference. The servant was fortunate as well as Asif Khan Shaha Jahan, who had been informed of the incident in the garden was not bothered or irritated over the disobedience to his instructions. Instead, he praised the servant’s loyalty to his master. He then granted full restoration rights to the water supply to the garden for Asif Khan the Prime Minister of his country and father-in-law. Mughal Princess Zuhra Begum was laid to rest in the garden of her father. She is the daughter of Mughal Emperor Alamgir II, and grandchild of the Emperor Jahandar Shah.

Layout

Although the design in Nishat Bagh was based on the fundamental conceptual model that was used in The Persian garden, the layout was required to be redesigned to meet the topography and water sources at the location chosen in the Kashmir valley. The design rather than being a central with four arms radiating with a square-shaped pattern, like in Chahar (suited for flat country sides) it was altered to an axial flow pattern to accommodate the hill’s terrain, with the water sources coming from the top and ending at the bottom. This led to the layout as a rectangular rather than the square design. This made it easier to eliminate the long sides. So, a rectangular design that had an east-west length of 548 meters (1,798 feet) and a width of 338 meters (1,109 feet) was chosen.

Architecture

This is why Nishat Bagh as laid out in the present is a large series of terraces that is lined with avenues of cypress and chinar trees, that begins from the lake’s shore and then stretches all the way to an artificial wall at the hill’s end. The hill rises up from it’s edge, Dal Lake, it has twelve 12 terraces that represent the twelve Zodiacal signs. It has two sections, which are the public garden and the private one to be used for Zanana or harem in comparison to all four areas of Shalimar Bagh; this difference is due in part to the fact the Nishad Bagh was a catering establishment for The Mughal Emperor, whereas Nishad Bagh belonged to a gentleman of his court and was and was a noble. However, there are certain similarities to the Shalimar Bagh, such as the stone channel that is polished and terraces. The water source to both gardens is the identical. They are situated in an east-west orientation The upper terrace houses the Zenana garden, while the bottom terrace is linked to the Dal Lake. In recent times the lower terrace has joined with the road that leads to it. A spring known as the Gopi Thirst supplies a clean water for the gardens. There are some ancient Mughal period structures near the Bagh.

The main canal that runs through the garden starting at the top it is 4 meters (13 feet) wide and features the thickness of around 20 cm (7.9 inches). The water runs in a cascade that runs from at the top, to the next terrace on the road that can also be accessible from the Dal Lake through a shikara ride. Water flows from terraces to another facilitated by the steps of stone that give the sparkle that the water flows. In all terraces, the fountains have pools along the water channel. In the crossings of the channel benches are made available for visitors to sit down and take in the beautiful garden and the flowing fountain jets.

The Twelve Terraces

The particulars of these twelve terraces have been documented in the original construction:

• One terrace acts as a storage chamber that is connected to the flow that flows from the garden.
• The second terrace is accessible via the gate. The terrace is home to five fountains, which are fed with by the third terrace which it flows down to the bottom terrace.
• The third terrace is of distinct design. The water chute features five arched niches that open in the front, and niches similar to those at the corners. An enclosure (baradari) is a two-story structure that was present when it was first constructed and has since been removed. Stairways on each side of the channel, take you onto the third terrasse that has a rectangular chamber that has five fountains. The staircase (four steps) both sides of the channel will lead onto the 4th terrace.
• The fourth terrace is composed of two levels. It is an water channel as well as the square pool. Stairways with seven steps take you towards the fiveth terrace.
• The fifth terrace is where there is a stone-built bench across the channel for you to take in the stunning views. The fifth terrace also includes an enclosed square with five fountains.
• The sixth terrace is on two levels, with five fountains and a distinctive pavement pattern.t
• Seventh terrace. the same pattern is repeated.
• 8. The 8th terrace just an water channel or chute.
• The ninth terrace, located at the bottom of two stairways there is an Octagonal bench. The pool of this terrace is surrounded by nine fountains.
• The stairs leading to the tenth terrace run along the walls of the side that contain there is only a water chute that has fountains is installed.
• The paths are engraved and take you to an impressive eleventh terrace with twenty-five fountains within a pool. The highest point of this impressive terrace is the final terrace.
• Its Zenana chamber, which is the twelveth terrace is enclosed in front by a 5.5 meters (18 feet) high wall that has an archway of blinds. One arch on this blind façade opens to the twelveth terrace. Two small , octagonal towers each side of the retaining walls offer glimpses of lower terraces. The two-storey pavilion can be found surrounded by gorgeous garden that is lush with plants.

Of every terrace, this is thought to be the most stunning because of the twenty-three niches within the arched recess in front of the waterfall. Lighted lamps were originally intended to be positioned in these niches. The second terrace also features an the most beautiful Persian pansies and lilacs, along with sparkling water cascading down the chute, creating an amazing sight.Another fascinating feature of this area is the Nishat Bagh is of the numerous marble thrones that were that are situated at the top of the waterfall and along the channel.

Information for visitors

Nishat Bagh located in the Srinagar District is 11 kilometres (6.8 miles) from the city’s centre. The closest airport is located 25-30 km (16-19 miles) from Humhama. The Airport is connected to the main cities of India. Jammu is the closest Rail Head which is 300 km (190 miles) away. There is a National Highway NH1A connects the Kashmir valley to the rest of the country. One option to visit the Bagh is by crossing it’s Dal Lake using the famous “water taxi” of Kashmir known as the Shikara.

[dcp_show type=’coupon’ number=’2′]