Who built Pari Mahal in Srinagar?
Pari Mahal was built by Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, in the mid-1600s. He constructed it on the ruins of an old Buddhist monastery on the Zabarwan mountain range.
Questions about Pari Mahal
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What was the original purpose of Pari Mahal?
Pari Mahal served as a library and a learning center, with a focus on subjects like astrology and astronomy. Dara Shikoh is recorded as having stayed there in 1640, 1645, and 1654.
How many terraces does Pari Mahal have?
Pari Mahal has seven terraces, each constructed on a separate slope. The design follows the Mughal style, featuring arched halls, fountains, symmetrical lawns, and small water tanks.
Where is Pari Mahal located and what does it overlook?
Pari Mahal is located on top of the Zabarwan mountain range in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It overlooks the city of Srinagar and the south-west of Dal Lake.
What Bollywood movie was filmed at Pari Mahal?
The Bollywood movie Lamhaa was filmed at Pari Mahal. In recent times the garden has been used as a location for several movies.
What unusual uses has Pari Mahal been put to over the years?
Beyond its role as a Mughal garden, Pari Mahal has been used as a top-secret interrogation centre and as a base for high-level bureaucrats. The garden is now under the ownership of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.