The Shalimar Gardens sometimes written as Shalamar Gardens, is a Mughal garden complex located in Lahore, Pakistan.[1] Construction began in 1641 AD[2] (1051 AH) and was completed the following year. The project management was carried out under the superintendence of Khalilullah Khan, a noble of Shah Jahan's court, in cooperation with Ali Mardan Khan and Mulla Alaul Maulk Tuni. The meaning of the word 'Shalimar' remains a mystery, but it is probably of Arabic or Persian origin as asserted by Anna Suvorova in her book Lahore: Topophilia of Space and Place.[3] The Shalimar Gardens are located near Baghbanpura along the Grand Trunk Road some 5 kilometers northeast of the main Lahore city. Shalimar Gardens draws inspiration from Central Asia, Kashmir, Punjab, Persia, and the Delhi Sultanate.
The site of the Shalimar Gardens originally belonged to the Arain Mian Family Baghbanpura. The family was also given the royal title of 'Mian' by the Mughal Emperor, for its services to the Empire. Mian Muhammad Yusuf, then the head of the Arain Mian family, gave the site of Ishaq Pura to the Emperor Shah Jahan,
after pressure was placed on the family by the royal engineers who
wished to build on the site due to its good position and soil. In
return, Shah Jahan granted the Arain Mian family governance of the
Shalimar Gardens. The Shalimar Gardens remained under the custodianship
of this family for more than 350 years.
In 1962, the Shalimar Gardens were nationalised by General Ayub khan because leading Arain Mian family members had opposed his imposition of martial law in Pakistan. The Mela Chiraghan festival used to take place in the Gardens, until General Ayub khan ordered against it in 1958.
Fountains
From this basin, and from the canal, rise 410 fountains, which
discharge into wide marble pools.It is a credit to the creativity of
Mughal engineers that even today scientists are unable to fully
comprehend the water systems and thermal engineering from architectural
blueprints. The surrounding area is rendered cooler by the flowing of
the fountains, which is a particular relief for visitors during Lahore's
blistering summers, with temperature sometimes exceeding 120 °F
(49 °C). The distribution of the fountains is as follows:
- The upper level terrace has 105 fountains.
- The middle level terrace has 152 fountains.
- The lower level terrace has 153 fountains.
- All combined, the Gardens has 410 fountains.
The Gardens have 5 water cascades including the great marble cascade and Sawan Bhadoon.
Buildings of the Gardens
The buildings of the Gardens include:
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Trees of the Gardens
Some of the varieties of trees that were planted included:
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