LAHORE, Pakistan: Shalamar Garden Lahore is indeed a manifestation of taste and style which harnessed nature to its maximum.
Even since its creation it has been a favourite resort of the royalty who often visited and stayed there to enjoy cool breeze, calm waters, jetting fountains and above all, the rhythmic and serene environment, says Dr. Muhammad Arif, expert of Archeology and museums.
He said that the Mughal emperor Shahjahan is celebrated for erecting numerous monumental buildings in various parts of his empire.
“Among these the famous recreational garden Shalamar, at Lahore stands out prominently for its superb buildings and allround scented greenery,” he said.
The whole garden, measuring 2,006 feet by 874 feet, has been provided with high perimeter wall crowned with merlons and strengthened with octagonal corner-towers surmounted with red sand stone pavilions, the exterior of the wall’s lime plastered while the interior has an arrangement of deeply recessed and arched panels, augmented with fresco lining.
The premier wall possessed two elaborately designed gateways; one on the east and the other on the west, both opening in the lowest terrace. The lower terrace was named Faiz Bakhsh (bountiful).
Square on plan and measuring 874 feet, it has no elaborate buildings except a pavilion created along the northern wall in its centre, opening to the neighbouring garden.
The area of the terrace has been divided into four big plots by means of water channels and walkways with shallow tank in the centre. The tank and the water channels have been augmented with as many as 135 fountains. In the plots were planted traditional fruit trees of every season and climate, like mangoes, cherries, apricots, peaches gokchas, sultanis (rai jaman), apples, alonds, seedless mulberry, oranges, etc.
The central or middle terrace is more elaborate for buildings as well as horticultural arrangements.
The upper or the third terrace, the second stage of Faiz Bakhsh is square on plan measuring 874 feet side.
Divided into four equal parts on the pattern of Persian charbagh and augmented with fabulous Khwabgahs, aramgahs, Khayabans and water channels with fountains, it is the most beautiful part of his royal pleasure garden.
Today, the Shalamar is only a shadow of its former glory inspite of expensive and extensive restorations.
The unabated vandalism from which it suffered during the days of Sikh anarchy, deprived it to its sumptuous ornamentation in marble, red sand stone and other precious and semi-precious stones.
