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MUGHAL GARDEN -NISHAT BAGH1CONTENTS:Introduction- Mughal gardens in KashmirPhilosophyNishat BaghHistorySite

Layout and planning Terraces and levels Elements and their composition Vistas and views2INTRODUCTION:MughalGardens of KashmirMughal Gardens,reflects the sense of beauty and the lavish styles of the Mughal era in India.

Although the Mughals never deviated drastically from the original form or concept of the gardens, their biggest challenge in Kashmir was to exploit the chosen site and the abundance of water resource to its maximum potential.

The sites selected were at the foot of a mountain, wherever there was a source of water either in the form of streams or springs. This feature eventually resulted in terraced garden layouts.

Floral display, vine plantations and surrounding chenars

Terraces leading down to lake3PHILOSOPHY:'...Typically, in the pleasure gardens of Kashmir, the garden site is at the lower elevation of a hill, between the hill and the lake.

Towards the lake, the visual link between garden and valley is marked by the flow of water in that direction and the progression of terraces downwards with the grand chinars on either side.

These direct the eye away from the details of the garden to the extended lake panorama and hills beyond.

The garden celebrates the beauty of the valley. The physical limits are extended towards the larger setting....'

4Nishat Bagh means "Garden of Joy," or "Garden of Delight.It was laid by Asif Khan, the brother of Nur Jehan in the year 1633. Larger than Shalimar, in fact it is the largest of the remaining gardens on the lake.

SITE : Zabarwan hills acts as the backdrop of this beautiful garden that is situated on the banks ofDal Lake close to Srinagar. 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. NISHAT BAGH:

Location of Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh near Dal Lake in Srinagar 5The dramtaic mountain backdrop at Nishat BaghVIEW TO THE EASTCentral axis and channel of Nishat Bagh framed by Chinar treesVIEW TO THE WEST

6Layout and Planning:Even though the layout of Nishat Bagh was based on the basic conceptual model of thePersian gardens, it had to be remodelled to fit the topographic and water source conditions at the site chosen in the Kashmir valley.

The plan, instead of being central with four radiating arms in a square pattern as in the case of CharBagh was changed to an axial stream flow design to fit the hill condition with water source originating at the top of the hill end.

This resulted in planning a rectangular layout rather than a square layout.

Nishat Bagh's exceptional quality lies therefore in its setting, the complex terraced layout, the play of water cascades, the views it offers, and its ecology.

Length-wise, the garden consists of twelve terraces, supposedly symbolizing the twelve signs of the zodiac.

The width of the garden consists of seven linear sections, which make up three main sections; a central wing with the main water features and two lower laying side wings.

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A mountain stream is directed through this sloping garden.

The slope is graded into steps with water channels connecting the terraces.NolakeoFlow of stream Zabarwan hills 8TERRACES AND LEVELS:

The terraces in the garden rise not only from the Dal Lake up the mountain side, along the length of the garden, but also along its width from the side wings to the central channel axis.

The sophisticated geometrical manner by which thechar bagh concept and terraces have been adapted to the contours of the mountainside contribute towards making Nishat Bagh one of the finest representations of traditionalchar baghgarden layouts spread across the Islamic world.

Nishat Bagh as laid out now is a broad cascade of terraces lined with avenues ofchinarandcypresstrees, which starts from the lakeshore and reaches up to an artificial faade at the hill end. Rising from the edge of the Dal Lake, it has twelve 12terracesrepresenting twelveZodiacalsigns.

9The schematic perspective -the twelve terraces - one for each sign of the zodiac.

The main axis is on the centerline of the garden while the secondary axis is a walkway along the top of the retaining wall for the upper terrace.(Zenana floor)

At the ends of the wall are gazebos.

10THE TWELVE TERRACES

The details of the twelve terraces have been recorded as originally built:

The first terrace is a water collection chamber that is also linked to the side flow from the garden.

The second terrace is accessed through a gate. This terrace has five fountains that is supplied water from the third terrace, from where it flowed to the lowest terrace.

The third terrace has a different design. The water chute has five arched open niches in the front and similar niches on the sides. Stairways, on either side of the channel lead to the third terrace, which has a square chamber with five fountains. Moving up the flight of steps (four steps) on either side of the channel leads to the fourth terrace.

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This perspective recreates the Baradari or garden house. It no longer exists.The baradari on the third terrace of the Nishat Bagh was a two-storied Kashmir structure .The lower floor is 59' long by 48' wide, enclosed on two sides by wooden latticed windows.In the middle there is a reservoir about 14' square and 3' deep with 5 fountains.BaradariThe fourth terrace has two levels namely, a water channel and a square pool. Stairways with 7 steps lead to the fifth terrace.

The fifth terrace, where a stone bench is provided across the channel to enjoy the scenic beauty. This also has a square chamber with five fountains.1212The sixth terrace is at two levels with five fountains and distinctive paving pattern.

The seventh terrace, where the same pattern continues.

The eighth terrace is only a water channel or chute.

The ninth terrace, at the end of two stairways, there is an octagonal bench. The pool in this terrace has nine fountains.

The stairways to the tenth terrace are along the side retaining walls where only the water chute with fountains is provided.

Engraved paths lead to an impressive eleventh terrace, which has twenty five fountains in a pool. Up from this dramatic terrace is the last one.

The Zenana chamber, the twelfth terrace, is covered in the front by 5.5 metres high wall with a faade of blind arches. Only one arch in this blind facade provides an opening to the twelfth terrace.

13The upper terrace of Nishat Bagh is supported by a beautiful retaining wall with arcades that provide a shady walk. At the each end of this terrace wall is a three story gazebo from which one has views of rice fields and Lake Dal.

This perspective shows the arcades and retaining wall for the upper terrace - the Zenana or ladies garden. The dramatic chadar (water chute) drops to a large square pool with fountains. There is a chadar at every elevation change shown in this perspectiveZenana building and garden terrace (or the twelfth terrace )

14VISTAS AND VIEWS:

The location of the garden along the bank of Dal Lake is of a great significance, with the lowest terrace directly connecting to the lake and with key historic views from the terraces and pavilions to the lake.

The Oont Kadal, a historic bridge located in the lake, forms an integral part of the composition, as key views from the garden align with it and continue across it to the Hari Parbat Fort, which rises above Srinagar across the lake.

The views towards the vast Dal Lake from each of its ascending terraces are wide and uninterrupted, presenting the full expanse of the wide Dal Lake and its western shores.

The historic approach to Nishat Bagh offers remarkable views and reveals the full scope of the rising terraces and the wider historic agricultural landscape and mountain backdrop.

A view at sunset across the terraces at Nishat Bagh

The water flow from one terrace to the next is over stepped stone ramps that provide the sparkle to the flow. At all the terraces fountains with pools are provided, along the water channel.

15FEATURES:

The side wings and terraces were predominantly terraced orchard plantations with irrigation channels, terraced walks and shading avenues.

Each terrace rises from the east of DalLake and appears not less than a mountain with dramatically beautiful and vibrant flower beds and lush green gardens.

Nishat Bagh was a more private garden than its near neighbour, the Shalimar Bagh, which was also used for holding Royal Durbars.

It therefore did not require having as many associated buildings as Shalimar Bagh. Yet the magnificence of the garden is so powerful that it often enjoys more praises than the Shalimar Bagh.

The central canal, which runs through the garden from the top end, is 4 metres wide and has a water depth of 20 centimetres . Water flows down in a cascade from the top to the first terrace at the road level, which could be also approached from the Dal Lake through ashikararide.

At channel crossings, benches are provided for people to sit and enjoy the beauty of the garden and the cascading flows and fountain jets

16Key historic architectural structures include : the water channel the water cascades and pools the fountains the terrace walls the boundary walls stone abutments at the bank of the lake pavilions, and the watch towers (burjis) at the corners of thezenanaretaining wall

Most of the mughal gardens share certain similarities in siting in addition to structure: they are sited at springs or where small stream from melting snow originate. they are on the lower slopes of the mountain. they utilise the great view of the lake dal and the surrounding hills.

17Chardars, Channels and TerracesThe most exciting elements in the garden are the falls of white water called Chadars. In these images the steep inclines are shown. The water is white because air is in the water.The second image shows the pool below the Zenana and the contrast between the rushing water and the delicate treatment in the pool.The last image shows a water chute without the water. The texturing of the ramp enters air into the water turning it white. It, also, creates a pattern which the sun reflects.

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Nishat Bagh along with 5 other Mughal Gardens (Chashma Shahi,Shalimar Bagh,Pari Mahal,Verinag Garden,Achabal Gardens) has a nomination onto the Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage submitted in 2010.

Among the important projects undertaken by the INTACH (The Indian Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) J&K Chapter, is the restoration of baradari, water channels and pools at Nishat Bagh

The restored water chutes and fountains Flower beds of Nishat Bagh

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