Type: Monument - Garden
Province: Punjab
District: Lahore
Period: Historic
Relative Chronology: 1526 - 1857 CE
Description: It is located at Shalamar Chowk on the G.T. Road in Shalamar Town near Baghbanpura. Shalamar Garden was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan during 1641-1645 CE. To irrigate the Garden, a canal named “Shah Nahar” meaning Royal canal, was brought from over 160 kilometers. The canal intersected the Gardens and discharged into a large marble basin in the middle terrace. From this basin, and from the canal, rise 410 fountains, which discharge into wide marble pools. It is a credit to the creativity of the Mughal engineers that even today scientists are unable to comprehend how the fountains were operated. Originally, the gardens had seven ascending terraces, but now only three remain in successive terraces in the middle of the garden, raised one above the level of the other by a height of 4 to 5 m. These existing terraces are named: (1) Farah Baksh means Bestower of Pleasure. (Upper Terrace), (2) Faiz Baksh means Bestower of Goodness. (Middle Terrace), and (3) Hayat Baksh means Bestower of life. (Lower Terrace). The garden is spread over an area of about 169968 sq.m. There is a marble pavilion under which water flows and cascades down over a carved, marble slab creating a waterfall effect. Across the waterfall is a marble throne. At the end of the second terrace is a beautiful structure called Sawan Bhadon. The royal harem is located in one corner of the garden complex. This beautiful garden comprises of many attractive structures inside it which include Khwabgah, Dewan-e-Khas-O-Aam, Baradaries, The Aiwan, Two huge minarets in the corners of this enchanting garden. The lower terrace has Chini Khan to illuminate lamps. The middle terrace has pools, fountains and Baradaris. The upper terrace has Audience halls, Royal Bath plus resting places of Emperor and Queen.
Latitude: 31.585833333
Longitude: 74.381944444
Ownership: Federal Government
Legal Status: Protected by The Antiquity Act 1975 (As amended in 1992)
Title of Publication: Archaeological Sites and Historical Monuments Protected Under the Antiquities Act, 1975
Published In: Federal Department of Archaeology & Museums, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad
Year of Publication: 1987
Bibliography/Reference: Khan, Ahmad Nabi
