Shalimar Bagh in Lahore is an eternal tale of Mughal architecture. There are several famous stories related to the name of Shalimar Bagh. Historical accounts reveal that Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan originally named this garden something else, but people started calling it Shalimar Bagh. Historians suggest that the garden was initially named “Shola-e-Mah” meaning “moonlight,” due to its beauty. Over time, the name Shola-e-Mah evolved into Shalimar Bagh. Some historians believe that Shah Jahan himself proposed this name. Let take you on a tour of the famous Shalimar Bagh today.
Shalimar Bagh: A Grand Mughal Legacy
Shalimar Bagh is located in Lahore, the capital and historical city of Punjab province in Pakistan. When Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan held his court in Lahore, Ali Mardan Khan informed him of a skilled person available to construct a canal. Delighted, Shah Jahan ordered a canal to be dug from the Ravi River to pass near Lahore. When Shah Jahan visited Lahore again, the canal was completed. The emperor commanded the construction of a vast and beautiful garden along the canal, with baradari (pavilions), royal baths, fountains, and fruit-bearing trees. Khalilullah Khan was appointed as the special assistant for this task. Khalilullah Khan, along with other courtiers, began the construction of the garden. Trees for the garden were brought from Kandahar and Kabul. Shalimar Bagh, spread over 80 acres, was laid out in 1637 and completed in 1641.
Location and Royal Monuments in Shalimar Bagh
Shalimar Bagh is located about 5 kilometres from the walled city of Lahore, in the area of Baghbanpura, near the GT Road, formerly known as the Grand Trunk Road. The garden has two large entrances and tall minarets at two corners. The garden is divided into three sections: Farah Bakhsh, Faiz Bakhsh, and Hayat Bakhsh. These sections are approximately twelve feet higher than each other, connected by beautiful stairs. There are 105 fountains in the first section, 152 in the second, and 153 in the third. These fountains were installed to alleviate the heat during summer. The garden features beautiful marble baradaris. The expertise of the architects of that time is evident from the fact that the water flow system in the garden has not been fully understood to this day.
Royal Baths and Baradaris: Reflections of Mughal Architecture
The royal bathhouse in the garden consists of three parts, with two fountains in one section and a pool in another. The marble baradaris were designed for the royal family to enjoy the rain during the monsoon season. Marble niches were created to hold lamps, which, when lit, would create a rain-like atmosphere in the pool. In the Hayat Bakhsh section, a beautiful marble throne was constructed where Shah Jahan would hold his court. Nearby, a marble waterfall was built, creating a captivating view of water flowing down.
Tradition of Hosting Heads of State: The British Era
The tradition of hosting distinguished guests in Shalimar Bagh continued during the British era. In 1876, during a visit to the subcontinent, Emperor Edward VII, then Prince of Wales, was honoured with a grand evening feast at Shalimar Bagh by the Governor of Punjab. The garden was so brightly illuminated that it seemed like day at night. In 1907, during his stay in Lahore, King Habibullah Khan of Afghanistan was also treated to a splendid banquet at Shalimar Bagh by the Governor. When Emperor of Iran visited Pakistan in 1950, Shalimar Bagh was beautifully adorned. The garden’s beauty reached its zenith. Similarly, notable dignitaries including Queen Elizabeth of the UK, former Turkish President Celal Bayar, Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai, Indonesian President Sukarno, former US President John F. Kennedy, former Saudi King Saud bin Abdulaziz, and former Chinese President Liu Shaoqi were all warmly welcomed at Shalimar Bagh. Each of these dignitaries praised the garden’s beauty and the hospitality of Lahore’s residents.
Shalimar Bagh: A Jewel of Lahore and the Spring Festival
Shalimar Bagh attracts tourists due to its beauty. If you visit Lahore during spring, you can enjoy the garden’s splendour along with the festival of lights. People come from far and wide to visit the garden. At the beginning of spring, a grand festival of lights, the largest in Punjab, is held. Thousands from the city and surrounding villages come to the festival, singing, dancing, and celebrating. Hundreds of tents are set up, and people celebrate in their own vibrant ways. This garden is a living monument to the grandeur of Mughal emperors.
Shalimar Bagh Declared a World Cultural Heritage
In 1981, UNESCO declared Shalimar Bagh a World Cultural Heritage. It is listed among the world’s most beautiful and grand gardens. UNESCO has allocated an annual grant for the preservation of this magnificent Mughal legacy in Pakistan. Today, Shalimar Bagh remains a vital part of Pakistan’s cultural and historical heritage, and both the government and people of Pakistan spare no effort in its maintenance and care. The garden’s historical significance and beauty attract tourists from around the world, making it a vibrant representation of Pakistan’s history and culture.
