Aam Khas Bagh

Hrishi Desai

Note : No Plans/drawings found on internet, the pictures aren’t sure either, because of major parts of

site already ruined.

Pictures found on net, Claiming it as different building on every other site/image.

Claimed as ruins of ruins of Daulat Khana-E-Khas

Claimed as Aam Khas Bagh Complex

Claimed as Aam Khas Bagh Sirhind

Claimed as Aam Khas Bagh Naughara

HistoryLocated near Fatehgarh Sahib and Sirhind in Punjab, the Aam Khas Bagh bears the historic stamp of three famous Mughal emperors. Today it can be seen as a monument which showcases traces of Mughal architecture, as it has not been preserved well.

It was initially built by the first Mughal emperor of India, Akbar, as a highway-inn getaway which can be used by common people as well as the royalty during travelling to Lahore from Delhi.

After Akbar, it was rebuilt by Shah Jahan, another Mughal emperor along with the Mughal military road stretching between Lahore and Delhi. The royal couple used this place as their stay halt while plying between Lahore and Delhi.

Later on, Jahangir also made some additions in this monument. The garden area stretching over one and a half mile was segregated into two parts - the Aam for public use and the Khas for private use by the Royalty.

As per history, the city of Sirhind, witnessed repeated wars between Mughals and Sikh forces 1708 AD,

1758 AD and 1768 Ad.

Thus, this garden went through excessive damage and its tanks & waterways got filled with earth.

ArchitectureDuring the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar, it was built and planned by the Mughal architect Hafiz Rakhna. He styled this place as "Bagh Naulaka".

The Mughal emperors not only constructed the Aam-Khas Bagh but they also developed its hinterland to ensure a pleasant and comfortable stay for the visitors and Mughal royalties. Some of the rare plants from the Mughal era are still extant in this garden.

DesignThe Aam-Khas Bagh Complex was quite famous for its perfect air conditioning system which Mughals used to call "Sarad Khana". Along with air conditioning system, there existed Sheesh Mahal, Daulat khana-e-Khaas, the tank and the Hamam which possessed some unique methodology for heating the water.

The palace compound was beautified with a wide array of fountains and waterfalls. Water for these was drawn from a nearly located huge well and this water was circulated through all the fountains with the help of undergrounds conduits.

The Garden complex has been designed on a north – south central axis with three main enclosures falling on to the axis, the rest are supporting.

The main architectural features of the complex are its buildings like Sard Khana, Daulat Khana, Hammam, The tank, Sheesh Mahal etc. and its complex water systems which include water channels, fountains, chinikhana, wells, tanks etc. with lawns and orchard around them.

There are ten enclosures of the garden complex which is enclosed by 5.2m high thick brick wall, adorned with serrated battlements.

The enclosure 1, 2 and 3 are the main enclosures which are located in the central axis of the garden; the enclosures 4 and 5 are located on the western side of the central axis and the enclosures 7-10 are located on the eastern side. While the enclosure 6 is on the central spine.

The complex was famous for a perfect air-conditioning system called Sarad Khana. The hamamand the tank had unique methods of heating water. The palace compound also had a set of fountains. Water for the fountains was drawn from a huge well nearby and circulated through underground conduits.

This is an air conditioned chamber of that time. The water was pulled out through large pulleys from the adjoining well and was passed through water channels running through the walls of this building and was used for fountains and waterfalls.

The following monuments are situated in the vicinity of Aam Khas Bagh.

Sarad Khana Sheesh Mahal Shahi Hamam The Tank Daulat Khana-e-Khaas

Sarad KhanaThis monument was built extensively under the reign of Mughal emperor Jahangir.

It used to be an air conditioned chamber for which water was pulled out from the adjoining well through large pulleys and was made to pass through the water channels running all through the walls of this building.

The circulation of water made this place cool and air conditioned. This water was also used for the waterfalls and fountains in the garden.

Daulat Khana-e-KhaasIt was a double storeyed building, which was used by Shah Jahan, as his residence. It was one of the most beautiful buildings of that era.

All the main walls and rooms of this building were festooned with some exclusive designs. The central hall of this building was quite big and its eastern walls had two tall minarets. The northern side possessed several tanks and fountains that added extensive value to the grandeur of this building.

Sheesh MahalThis beautiful monument was known for its astonishing architecture and it was also built on the orders of Jahangir, the Mughal emperor.

The domes of this beautiful building were bedecked with glazed tiles, traces of which still exist today.

Shahi Hamam : This monument was constructed on the orders of Jahangir, the Mughal emperor.

It was the channel of heated water where water was taken inside through some underground terracotta channels where a unique method for heating the water was applied.

The Tank : This tank was located marvelously between the quarters that were built for Mughal employees.

There used to be a Mehtaabi Chabutra in the centre of this tank which has now fallen down.

Thank You

Hrishi Desai