Pari Mahal
| Pari Mahal | |
|---|---|
| File:A view of Pari Mahal Jammu and Kashmir India.jpg | |
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| Type | Garden |
| Location | Dal Lake, Srinagar, India |
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| Elevation | 5,200 feet (1,600 m) |
| Founder | Shah Jahan |
| Built | 1650 |
| Built for | Residence of Haano and Maano |
| Current use | closed |
| Governing body | Government of Jammu and Kashmir |
| Website | srinagar |
Pari Mahal (lit. 'palace of fairies')[1] is a seven-terraced Mughal garden built on the top of the Zabarwan mountain range. It overlooks the city of Srinagar and the south-west of Dal Lake in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. This garden is a fine example of Islamic architecture and patronage of art during the reign of the then Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, featuring arched doorways, terraced gardens, and intricate water channels. The garden is a popular tourist destination and also provides a view of Dal Lake and the city below.
History
[edit | edit source]Pari Mahal was built in the mid-1600s by Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It was constructed on the ruins of an old Buddhist monastery.[2][3] It also served as a library and a learning center for subjects like astrology and astronomy.[4] Dara Shikoh is believed to have stayed here in the years 1640, 1645, and 1654. Later, the garden came under the ownership of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.[5]
Over time, Pari Mahal has also been used as a top-secret interrogation centre and as a base for high-level bureaucrats.[1] In recent times, the location has been used to film several movies, including the Bollywood movie Lamhaa.[6]
Architecture and design
[edit | edit source]Pari Mahal has seven terraces, each one constructed on a slope. The Islamic architecture is reflected in the Mughal style plan, which has arched halls, fountains, symmetrical lawns, and tiny water tanks.
See also
[edit | edit source]References
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Further reading
[edit | edit source]- Brookes, John. Gardens of Paradise: The History and Design of the Great Islamic Gardens. New York: New Amsterdam, 1987.
- Kak, Ram Chandra. Ancient Monuments of Kashmir. New Delhi: Sagar Publications, 1971.
- Sharma, Suresh K., and S. R. Bakshi. Encyclopaedia of Kashmir. New Delhi: Anmol Publications Pvt Ltd, 1995.
