What does the name Nishat Bagh mean?
Nishat Bagh is an Urdu phrase meaning "Garden of Joy." The garden was built on the eastern bank of Dal Lake in the Kashmir Valley in 1633.
Questions about Nishat Bagh
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who built Nishat Bagh and when?
Nishat Bagh was designed and built in 1633 by Asif Khan, the elder brother of Nur Jahan and father-in-law of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
Why was the water supply to Nishat Bagh cut off?
Shah Jahan had the water supply cut off after Asif Khan refused to gift him the garden. Shah Jahan had expressed his admiration three times, hoping for the garden as a gift, but when no offer came he ordered the supply severed in displeasure.
How many terraces does Nishat Bagh have?
Nishat Bagh has twelve terraces, each representing one of the twelve Zodiacal signs. The lowest terrace connects to Dal Lake and the highest is the Zenana garden, a private space enclosed behind a 5.5-metre wall.
Who is buried in Nishat Bagh?
Mughal Princess Zuhra Begum is buried in Nishat Bagh. She was the daughter of Emperor Alamgir II and granddaughter of Emperor Jahandar Shah.
How does Nishat Bagh differ from Shalimar Bagh?
Nishat Bagh has two sections, a public garden and a private Zanana, while Shalimar Bagh has four sections. The difference is attributed to Shalimar Bagh serving the Emperor himself, while Nishat Bagh belonged to a nobleman of the court. Both gardens share the same water source and use polished stone channels and terraced layouts.