Nishat Bagh

🎋NISHAT BAGH🎋
By-Anwesha Marik
Roll No.-520219005
 TYPE - Mughal Garden
 AREA - 46 acres
 FOUNDED - 1619 AD
 OPENED - 1633 AD
 FOUNDER - Asif Khan
 ELEMENTS :
• Rectilinear layouts
• Pools
• Fountains
• Canals
• Raised Hillock
• Terraced style
• Trees and plants
• Pathways
• Pavillions
SITE PLAN OF NISHAT BAGH,
SRINAGAR, INDIA
Nishat Bagh is a terraced Mughal garden built on the eastern side of
the Dal Lake, close to Srinagar in the union territory of Jammu and
Kashmir, India. It is the largest Mughal garden in the Kashmir Valley .
• ‘Nishat Bagh’ is Urdu, and means the "Garden of Joy," "Garden of
Gladness" and "Garden of Delight.“
• Located on the bank of the Dal Lake, with the Zabarwan Mountains as
its backdrop, Nishat Bagh is a garden with views of the lake beneath
the Pir Panjal mountain range.
• The Bagh was designed and built in 1633 by Asif Khan, elder brother
of Nur Jehan.
• Nishat Bagh as laid out now is a broad cascade of
terraces lined with avenues of chinar and cypress trees,
which starts from the lakeshore and reaches up to an
artificial façade at the hill end.
• Rising from the edge of the Dal Lake, it has twelve
12 terraces representing twelve Zodiacal signs.
• However, it has only two sections, namely the public
garden and the private garden for the Zanana or harem
vis-à-vis the four sections of the Shalimar Bagh; this
difference is attributed to the fact that the latter Bagh
catered to the Mughal Emperor, while Nishad Bagh
belonged to a man of his court, a noble.
There are, however, some similarities with the Shalimar Bagh,
such as the polished stone channel and terraces.
• The source of water supply to the two gardens is the same.
• Built in an east-west direction, the top terrace has the
Zenana garden while the lowest terrace is connected to the
Dal Lake.
• In recent years, the lowest terrace has merged with the
approach road.
• A spring called the Gopi Thirst provides clear water supply
to the gardens.
• There are a few old Mughal period buildings in the vicinity of
the Bagh.
•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. A
pavilion (baradari), a two-storied structure, which existed here
when it was originally built, has since been dismantled. 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.
•The 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 to take in the
view across the channel. This also has a square chamber with
five fountains.
•The sixth terrace is at two levels with five fountains and
distinctive paving pattern.t
•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 (18 ft) high wall with a façade of blind arches. Only one
arch in this blind facade provides an opening to the twelfth terrace.
Two small octagonal towers on either side of the retaining walls
provide views of the lower level terraces. A two-storey pavilion here is
surrounded by a lovely garden with lush plantings.
Out of all the terraces, the second terrace is

considered the most impressive in view of the twenty-
three niches provided in the arched recess just behind
the cascade.
Originally lighted lamps used to be placed at these
niches. The second terrace also has an abundance of
Persian lilacs and pansies coupled with sparkling
cascading water over the chute, which provided a
lovely sight.
Another interesting feature in the Nishat Bagh is of the
many stones and marble thrones that are placed at the
head of almost every waterfall.
A two-story wooden baradari (pavilion)
was originally located atop this projection,
but was later removed to improve the
view.
Moving up to the third terrace via one of
the two side staircases, the visitor would
find a square pool (formerly located under
the removed baradari) containing five
fountains.
• Every pool has multiple water-
fountains lined-up in the centre,
outlined by rows of Chinar trees and
walk-ways running in tandem with the
pool.
• The source of water is the central
water-canal ‘Shah Nahar’, fed as it is
by a mile long canal drawing water
from the Dal Lake. FOUNTAIN
Second Terrace
DESIGN ELEMENTS
Cypress trees main

Fountains element of design in the
Garden
Chinar trees imported

by Mughals from
Persia to India .
Small cascade –
passage for water
flow between
terraces. Pathways
🙂THANK YOU🙂

Nishat Bagh

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🎋NISHAT BAGH🎋

Out of all the terraces, the second terrace is

Cypress trees main

Chinar trees imported

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