Who built Shalimar Bagh in Srinagar and when?
Shalimar Bagh was built by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1619. He enlarged an existing garden on the site and named it Farah Baksh, meaning "the delightful."
Questions about Shalimar Bagh, Srinagar
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What does the name Shalimar Bagh mean?
The exact origin of "Shalimar" is unknown, but the most plausible etymology traces it to the Persian-Arabic expression shah al-'imarat, meaning Master of Buildings.
How many fountains does Shalimar Bagh have?
Shalimar Bagh has 410 fountains, supplied by the Shah Nahar, the central water channel that runs axially through the garden's three terraces.
What is the Persian inscription at Shalimar Bagh and who wrote it?
The inscription reads, in English translation, "If there is a paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here." It was written by the Persian poet Orfi Shirazi during a visit to Kashmir and is carved in the black pavilion at the top terrace; it is sometimes wrongly attributed to Amir Khusrau.
What did Jahangir say about Kashmir on his deathbed?
Jahangir is credited with saying "Kashmir, the rest is worthless" when asked about his cherished desire near the end of his life.
What novel is named after Shalimar Bagh in Srinagar?
Salman Rushdie's 2005 novel Shalimar the Clown takes its title and the name of its central character from the garden. The Globe and Mail described it as a "devastating portrait of the destruction of Kashmir."