Mughal Gardens renamed as Amrit Udyan

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• What is the history of Mughal Gardens in India?
• How did the Rashtrapati Bhavan get Mughal Gardens?
• Evolution of Mughal Garden at Rshtrapati Bhavan

Why in news?

• The iconic Mughal Gardens at the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President’s House) in Delhi have been renamed as Amrit Udyan.
• The cluster of about 15 gardens will collectively be known as Amrit Udyan.
  • Individual gardens within the sprawling Presidential Estate — Herbal Garden, Musical Garden and Spiritual Garden — will retain their names.

What is the history of Mughal Gardens in India?

• The Mughals were known to appreciate gardens. In Babur Nama, Babur says that his favourite kind of garden is the Persian Charbagh style (literally, four gardens).
• Defined by its rectilinear layouts, d ivided in four equal sections, these gardens can be found across lands previously ruled by the Mughals. 
• From the gardens surrounding Humanyun’s Tomb in Delhi to the Nishat Bagh in Srinagar, all are built in this style – giving them the moniker of Mughal Gardens.
• A defining feature of these gardens is the use of waterways, often to demarcate the various  quadrants of the garden. 
  • These were not only crucial to maintain the flora of the garden, they also were an important part of its aesthetic. 
  • Fountains were often built, symbolising the cycle of life.

How did the Rashtrapati Bhavan get Mughal Gardens?

• In 1911, the British decided to shift the Indian capital from Calcutta to Delhi.
• About 4,000 acres of land was acquired to construct the Viceroy’s House with Sir Edwin Lutyens being given the task of designing the building on Raisina Hill. 
  • Lutyens’ designs combined elements of classical European architecture with Indian styles, producing a unique aesthetic that defines Lutyens’ Delhi till date.
• Crucial in the design of the Viceroy’s House was a large garden in its rear. The initial plans involved creating a garden with traditional British architecture.
• However, the wife of the then Viceroy wanted something in the Mughal style and urged the planners to create a garden in that style.
  • It is believed that she was inspired by the book Gardens of the Great Mughals (1913) by Constance Villiers-Stuart as well as her visits to Mughal gardens in Lahore and Srinagar.

Evolution of Mughal Garden at Rshtrapati Bhavan

• The gardens have evolved over time. While roses remain the star attraction, residents of the Rashtrapati Bhavan have all added their own personal touch to the garden.
• E.g., C Rajagopalachari, the last Governor General of India, made a political statement when during a period of food shortage in the country, he himself ploughed the lands and dedicated a section of the garden to foodgrains. 
• Today, the Nutrition Garden, popularly known as Dalikhana, stands in that spot, organically cultivating a variety of vegetables for consumption at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• President R Venkatraman added a cactus garden and APJ Abdul Kalam added many theme based gardens: from the musical garden to the spiritual garden.

Q1) Who was the last Mughal emperor?

 The last Mughal emperor was Bahadur Shah II, also known as Zafar. He died in a British prison in Burma in 1862.

 Q2) What was built by Edwin Lutyens?

 English architect Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens (March 29, 1869 – January 1, 1944) has been credited with shaping the pre-independence British capital of New Delhi, with iconic buildings such as the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Viceroy’s House, Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone, Baroda House, Bikaner House, Hyderabad House, and Patiala House.

Source: Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Mughal Gardens renamed: a brief history | Times Now | The Hindu