Introduction
The Mughal gardens of India are among the most enchanting symbols of Mughal architecture and culture. Inspired by the Persian concept of Charbagh—a quadrilateral layout divided by water channels and pathways to symbolize paradise—these gardens seamlessly blend art, spirituality, and engineering. They were not merely spaces for leisure but representations of harmony between man and nature, often laid out around royal tombs, palaces, and fort complexes. Today, Mughal gardens continue to be treasured as historical landmarks and public spaces, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of the Mughal era and their refined aesthetic sensibilities.
Prominent Mughal Gardens of India
Delhi
- Rashtrapati Bhavan Gardens (Amrit Udyan) – Originally designed in the Mughal style by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with Mughal charbagh features, fountains, canals, and terraced lawns.
- Shalimar Bagh, Delhi – Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1653 as a royal garden retreat, still a fine example of Mughal garden design.
- Safdarjung’s Tomb Gardens – Classic charbagh layout surrounding the 18th-century tomb.
- Humayun’s Tomb Gardens – UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the earliest and finest Mughal charbagh gardens in India.
- Red Fort Gardens – Once resplendent with water channels and orchards, partly restored.
Agra & Uttar Pradesh
- Mehtab Bagh, Agra – Laid opposite the Taj Mahal across the Yamuna, designed as a viewing point for the monument.
- Ram Bagh, Agra – One of the oldest Mughal gardens in India, established by Babur in 1528.
- Itmad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb Gardens, Agra – Delicate charbagh setting around the marble tomb.
- Taj Mahal Gardens, Agra – Perhaps the most famous charbagh in the world, perfectly symmetrical with water channels reflecting the mausoleum.
- Khusró Bagh, Prayagraj – A vast walled garden with tombs of Khusró Mirza and other Mughal royals.
Kashmir (The Paradise of Mughal Gardens)
- Shalimar Bagh, Srinagar – Laid by Emperor Jahangir for his wife Nur Jahan, featuring terraced lawns and chinar-lined vistas.
- Nishat Bagh, Srinagar – “Garden of Delight,” a 12-terrace masterpiece on Dal Lake.
- Chashme Shahi, Srinagar – Famous for its natural spring and terraces.
- Pari Mahal, Srinagar – A terraced garden built around a Buddhist monastery, overlooking Dal Lake.
- Achabal Bagh, Anantnag – Another beautiful garden built by Nur Jahan, with perennial springs.
- Verinag Garden – Around the source of the Jhelum River, created by Jahangir.
Punjab & Haryana
- Pinjore Gardens (Yadavindra Gardens), Haryana – Mughal-style terraced gardens later developed by local rulers.
- Aam Khas Bagh, Sirhind, Punjab – Once an imperial inn and pleasure garden built by Babur and extended by Akbar and Shah Jahan.
Rajasthan
- Sisodia Rani Bagh, Jaipur – Though influenced by Rajput style, it incorporates strong Mughal charbagh features with murals and fountains.
- Aram Bagh, Ajmer – A retreat attributed to Jahangir, blending Mughal garden traditions with local elements.
Madhya Pradesh
- Roshanara Bagh, Burhanpur – Associated with Empress Mumtaz Mahal, a lesser-known Mughal-style garden.
Why They Matter Today
These gardens are not just green spaces—they represent the Mughal vision of paradise on earth. They highlight advanced water management systems, architectural symmetry, and cultural symbolism. Many are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and UNESCO, drawing visitors from across the globe.
The most popular Mughal baghs of India—such as the Taj Mahal Gardens and Mehtab Bagh in Agra, Humayun’s Tomb Gardens in Delhi, and the Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh in Srinagar—stand as timeless examples of Mughal landscape artistry and continue to draw visitors from across the globe. Protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and several recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, these gardens embody the grandeur and elegance of the Mughal era.
For a heritage tourism platform, Mughal gardens are essential under Mughal Architecture in India, as they complete the narrative alongside forts, palaces, and mausoleums.