Name: Srinagar
Rating: 4.3

Nishat Bagh, Srinagar Overview

The Nishat Bagh is a 12 terraced garden located near Srinagar's famous Dal Lake. It is the second-largest Mughal garden in Kashmir after Shalimar Bagh. Popularly known as "Garden of Bliss", it has a splendid Mughal central water channel with several fountains, which is surrounded by tall Chinar trees. Nishat Bagh was designed and built in 1633 by Asif Khan, the elder brother of Nur Jehan.

Even though the layout of Nishat Bagh was based on the design of the Persian gardens, the actual landscaping was done in accordance with the terrain and water patterns unique to Kashmir Valley. A stream of standstill water divides the garden into two halves, and each level of the garden is marked by a raised embankment which has its collection of kaleidoscopic flowers. You can catch a magnificent view of the Dal Lake with the Zabarwan Mountains as its backdrop.

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Twelve Gardens of Nishat Bagh

The twelve gardens of Nishat Bagh translate to its twelve well-manicured terraces. This set of 12 Persian-based patios represent the 12 signs of the zodiac. Nishat Bagh is divided into a public and a private garden. Besides being bracketed by several Cyprus and China trees, each terrace also hosts an array of roses and lilies. Every terrace here holds unique features such as:

Terrace 1 - A water reservoir that is also linked to the main inflow for the garden.
Terrace 2 - With a gateway, this patio hosts over five fountains.
Terrace 3 - Housing a unique design, this terrace has a two-tiered structure with five tiny slots in the front alongside the same on the sides.
Terrace 4 - Hosts a water channel and a pool.
Terrace 5 - Has a stone-surfaced seating arena along with a squared enclosing of five fountains.
Terrace 6 and Terrace 7 - Sites two levels each with five fountains and a much different overall design.
Terrace 8 - Has a water channel.
Terrace 9 - Houses an eight-sided seating area along with a nine-fountain equipped pool.
Terrace 10 - Hosts a water channel with fountains that can be reached with two bracketing stairways.
Terrace 11 - This patio has 25 fountains.
Terrace 12 - Also known as the Zenana chamber, this area has a protective front walling induced with ornamental arches. Besides, this terrace also hosts two paralleled octagonal towers, and a double-layered structure encloses a garden alongside beautiful paintings.

History of Nishat Bagh

The Nishat Bagh was designed and built in 1633 by Asif Khan, elder brother of Nur Jehan. The then emperor of Mughal India Shah Jahan was in Kashmir in 1633, when he visited this garden. He was so impressed by the heavenly beauty of the Nishat Garden that he had wanted the garden to be gifted to him by Asif Khan. When Asif Khan failed to do so, the water supply to the garden was stopped by the emperor.

Distraught, Asif Khan was heartbroken and lost interest in everything else. One day, as he was sitting beneath a tree in the garden, one of his servants was bold enough to turn the water supply from Shalimar Bagh. When Khan got to know about this, he ordered for it to turned off immediately fearing Shah Jean's livid reaction to the breach of his orders.

However, Jehan did not really get annoyed at the situation. Instead, he appreciated the servant for loyal service to his master and then ordered full restoration rights for the supply of water to the garden to Asif Khan.

How to Reach Nishat Bagh

Located on the banks of the Dal Lake, Nishat Bagh can be reached by public transport such as buses and auto rickshaws. However, the best way to navigate to this place is by the means of a privately hired cab.