MUGHAL GARDEN

MUGHAL GARDEN
MUGHAL GARDEN
• Mughal gardens are a group of gardens built by the Mughals in the Islamic style.
• This style was heavily influenced by the Persian gardens, particularly the Charbagh structure.
• The primary purpose of Mughal gardens was to provide a serene and aesthetically pleasing space for
relaxation and reflection, in harmony with nature.
TIME LINE

18th Century
Early 16th 17th Century 19th Century
Century Decline of the
Mughal gardens British colonial
Mughal Empire
The concept of reach their peak rule influences
results in a
Mughal gardens of refinement and modifies
fading of
is introduced by under Emperor the design of
Mughal garden
Babur. Shah Jahan. these gardens.
construction.
TIME LINE

BABUR
HUMAYUN AKBAR
1526-1530
1530-1543 1556-1605
• The first Mughal –king • Has not contributed much to the • First Riverfront garden
• Fortress gardens landscape but had built PURANA • Eg, Humayuns tomb, Fatehpur
• RAM BAGH, AGRA QUILA (which there are traces of sikhri
• 4 division divided through landscape). • Same features as Char Bagh
water and pathway • Garden pavilion- surrounded by • Garden in persian style introduced
• Based on Char Bagh(4 flowering plants by Babur and continued
proportional plan)
TIME LINE

BABUR
HUMAYUN AKBAR
1526-1530
1530-1543 1556-1605
• The first Mughal –king • Has not contributed much to the • First Riverfront garden
• Fortress gardens landscape but had built PURANA • Eg, Humayuns tomb, Fatehpur
• RAM BAGH, AGRA QUILA (which there are traces of sikhri
• 4 division divided through landscape). • Same features as Char Bagh
water and pathway • Garden pavilion- surrounded by • Garden in persian style introduced
• Based on Char Bagh(4 flowering plants by Babur and continued
proportional plan)
TIME LINE

BABUR
HUMAYUN AKBAR
1526-1530
1530-1543 1556-1605
• The first Mughal –king • Has not contributed much to the • First Riverfront garden
• Fortress gardens landscape but had built PURANA • Eg, Humayuns tomb, Fatehpur
• RAM BAGH, AGRA QUILA (which there are traces of sikhri
• 4 division divided through landscape). • Same features as Char Bagh
water and pathway • Garden pavilion- surrounded by • Garden in persian style introduced
• Based on Char Bagh(4 flowering plants by Babur and continued
proportional plan)
TIME LINE

JAHANGIR 1605-1627 SHAH- JAHAN 1628-1658

AURANGZEB 1658-1707
• Did not build as much • Most beautiful garden- include
• Mix design (CharBarg + Floral design. • Aurangzeb has not developed much
riverfront) • High wall with 4 watch tower gardens except Chaurburji.
• Based on Char Bagh concept • Terracing, pavilions, a wide canal, • Architectural landmark
• Approached by canal from fountains and a great tank with a • Gate to the garden - Charbagh
lake marble platform in its midst layout and use of fountains
• Central Pavilion- arched • Example, Shalimar(lahore), Taj
niches, cascade falls mahal, Red fort, Nishat
• Eg, Shalimar garden. garden(kashmir).
TIME LINE

JAHANGIR 1605-1627 SHAH- JAHAN 1628-1658

AURANGZEB 1658-1707
• Did not build as much • Most beautiful garden- include
• Mix design (CharBarg + Floral design. • Aurangzeb has not developed much
riverfront) • High wall with 4 watch tower gardens except Chaurburji.
• Based on Char Bagh concept • Terracing, pavilions, a wide canal, • Architectural landmark
• Approached by canal from fountains and a great tank with a • Gate to the garden - Charbagh
lake marble platform in its midst layout and use of fountains
• Central Pavilion- arched • Example, Shalimar(lahore), Taj
niches, cascade falls mahal, Red fort, Nishat
• Eg, Shalimar garden. garden(kashmir).
TIME LINE

JAHANGIR 1605-1627 SHAH- JAHAN 1628-1658

AURANGZEB 1658-1707
• Did not build as much • Most beautiful garden- include
• Mix design (CharBarg + Floral design. • Aurangzeb has not developed much
riverfront) • High wall with 4 watch tower gardens except Chaurburji.
• Based on Char Bagh concept • Terracing, pavilions, a wide canal, • Architectural landmark
• Approached by canal from fountains and a great tank with a • Gate to the garden - Charbagh
lake marble platform in its midst layout and use of fountains
• Central Pavilion- arched • Example, Shalimar(lahore), Taj
niches, cascade falls mahal, Red fort, Nishat
• Eg, Shalimar garden. garden(kashmir).
EVOLUTION OF MUGHAL GARDEN
CONCEPT

• Mughal gardens evolved by blending elements from different cultures,

including Persian, Islamic, and Indian influences.
• The concept evolved from relatively simple gardens during the reign of Babur
to highly complex, geometric, and intricate designs under later emperors like
Shah Jahan.
• They also incorporated principles of Islamic garden design and integrated
natural and architectural elements seamlessly.
ELEMENTS OF MUGHAL GARDENS

• WATER FEATURES: These gardens often include water channels, fountains, cascades,
and reflecting pools.
• Running water (perhaps the most important element) and a pool to reflect the
beauties of sky and garden
• Flowers of different species were used for beautification of gardens, the flowers are
chosen according to their depiction and belief of life and death , Aesthetics &
fragnance
• Significant use of symmetrical, rectilinear layouts are made within the walled
enclosures.
• Pavilions: The garden might include a raised hillock at the center, reminiscent of the
mountain at the center of the universe in cosmological descriptions, and often
surmounted by a pavilion or palace
• Charbagh Layout: The "fourfold garden" layout is a common feature, with the garden
divided into four quarters by walkways or water channels
DESIGN CONCEPT

• Mughal gardens design derives primarily from the Islamic garden, although
there are influences that come from the Persian and Timurid gardens
• The most important feature of Mughal garden is Charbagh system.
• The Mughals were obsessed with symbol and incorporated it into their
gardens in many ways.
• Gardens influenced from Islamic gardens Symbols used in Mughal garden
PHILOSOPHY

• To paradise were in the architecture, layout, and in the choice of plant life •
• Numerological and zodiacal significances connected to family history or
cultural significance, were often used.
• The numbers eight and nine were considered auspicious by the Mughals and
were found in the terraces or in garden architecture E,g. octagonal pools
• The design symbolizes 4 flowing rivers of Paradise and reflects the gardens
of Paradise derived from the Persian paridaeza, meaning walled garden
Abundance with 4 rivers flowing from a central spring or mountain,
separating the garden into north, south, east and west.
CASE STUDY {TAJ MAHAL GARDENS}

• Built by Shah-Jahan
• According to Quran, garden is symbolic of Paradise
Garden divided into 4 part - CHARBAGH
• Further divided into 16 sections of flower beds with
raised pathways
• Symmetry and pattern can be seen in the relationship
between
sunlight and shade
plants and water
light and dark tones
• Trees of Taj garden are
Cyprus(signifying death)
Or of the fruit bearing type (signifying life) arranged
in a Symmetrical pattern.
• Garden conjures up the Islamic concept of heaven
where rivers of water, milk, wine and honey flow
USE OF WATER

TAJ MAHAL Raised tank

• A raised marble water tank at the center of the garden, halfway between the tomb and gateway, with a
reflecting pool on North-South axis reflects the image of the Taj Mahal.
• From the central, water channels flow in four directions dividing the garden into four.
• The formal garden is based on Char Bagh
THEMES AND CONNECTIONS

• It’s a mixture of Charbagh and riverfront garden from both

side
• The thematic connection within Islamic, is divided into 3,
• Presence of flowing water is necessary
• Strategic sitting of the garden at a place with convenient
access to a water source
• Use of grid, plotted internal spaces for many functions –
ceremony, recreation, sensory stimulation as well as
horticultural production
• At the centre of design, continuous flow of water, whose
primary purpose is to irrigate the garden and maintain its
health.