Ram Bagh Home > Uttar Pradesh > Attractions > Parks > Ram Bagh

Ram Bagh

Ram Bagh is located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. It lies around 5 kilometers in the northeast direction of the Taj Mahal, around 3 kilometers from the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, and around half a kilometer from Chini ka Rauza. This is India’s oldest Mughal Garden. It is built on the banks of the Yamuna River.

The original name of this garden was Aram Bagh, which means ‘Garden of Rest.’ Its name was later changed to Ram Bagh by the Marathas who reigned over Agra from 1775 to 1803 AD.

The garden was created as a recreational spot for Emperor’s guests. It was also meant to provide relaxation to the royal family. The garden is an epitome of beauty, depicting a unique design and a splendid layout. It shows Mughal’s love for nature.

History

Emperor Babur created Ram Bagh in 1528. It is believed that when the emperor passed away in 1530 his body was kept in Chaubureja for some time. This is a place near the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daula. Later, his body was taken for cremation at Kabul.

The garden gets its first historical mention as Bagh-Nur-Afshan. This misguided historians and they believed that the name was derived from Nur Afshan or Bagh-Gul-Afshan, which is a garden in Kabul. Emperor Jahangir is said to maintain this garden beautifully. Epigraphical evidences and paintings found in the remnants of the garden structure suggest this.

According to a legend, in the early March of 1621, Jahangir waited in the garden for the most auspicious hour as per astrology to enter Agra after he conquered the Fort of Kangra. The surviving and preserved structure of the garden dates back to his rule. It also displays the gardening skills of Nur Jahan, his wife.

The garden is also called Bagh-i-Nur Afshan or Light-Scattering Garden. Its another name is Aalsi Garden or Lazy Garden. As the legend goes, Emperor Akbar lay himself idle for 6 consecutive days in the garden to woo his third wife, who was a gardener there. He lazed around until she agreed to marry him.

Architecture

Ram Bagh or Aram Bagh is constructed in Persian style in which canals and pathways cut through the garden to signify Islamic style of paradise, a place where there is abundant shade and water element.

This Bagh is a variant of charbagh. Here, water flows down three terraces in a string of cascades. The garden has two viewing pavilions or baradari that face the Yamuna River. They have a subterranean ‘tahkhana.’ This provided relief to visitors from scorching hot summer. The garden features several fountains and water channels.

Ram Bagh is surrounded with huge walls and corner towers featuring pillared pavilions. Stone-paved pathways divide the garden in four sections. There is a terrace on the north-east of the building. From here, steps lead to a Hammam, the rooms of which are now ruined. To the immediate north of the garden is a row of houses featuring a gateway made from red sandstone. This, too, is in ruins.

Layout of Ram Bagh is along the pattern of Bagh-Hasht-Behisht and not along the pattern of the usual charbagh. The garden has three levels. The first is for vegetables and flowers. The second is for flower beds, kiosk, and stone-paved terraces. The third is for tanks, terraces, and structures. The overall pattern of the garden looks breath taking.

Bagh Timings

Ram Bagh is open for visitors from sunrise to sunset.

Best Time to Visit

Months from October to March are ideal for visiting Ram Bagh. Although visitors can come here at any time of the year, summers can be too hot to walk in the garden. Winters are great, as visitors can stroll in the wintry sunlight and soak themselves in the beauty of flowers. Aalsi Bagh or Ram Bagh can prove to be the perfect place for leisure, no doubt!

How to Reach

By Air

Kheira Airport is the nearest airport to Agra. It is about 5 km from the center of city. Agra is also linked to Varanasi, Khajuraho, and Delhi by air. Tourists coming from far off places can come to any of the nearby airports and then proceed their journey through bus or train.

By Train

Agra has four chief railway stations – Idgah Agra Junction, Agra Fort, Raja-ki-Mandi, and Agra Cantt. Agra is well connected to all big cities of India through railways. Tourists can avail themselves super fast trains that run from Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi.

By Road

National Highway 2 connects Agra through road with the rest of India. This city is easily accessible from Lucknow and Delhi through road. Tourists can avail themselves services of regular buses that ply from Delhi and Lucknow to Agra. Main bus stands are at Agra Fort and Idgah. Taxi service is also available. Delhi, the Capital of India, is about 210 km from Agra.

Related Image

Also Browse Following Under This Section

Related Topics

Waterfalls

uttar-pradesh has always been one of the wonderful tourist places in India. You can find some of the most beautiful and waterfalls that attract tourist from all over the country ....

Forts

One of the highly discussed entertaining and mesmerising natural spots in India with regards to travel destinations is uttar-pradesh and the place is indeed known for its culture ....

Jubilee Garden Rajkot

Jubilee Garden in Rajkot is the key attraction ...

Dutch Gardens Surat

Surat, nicknamed as the heart of the diamond ...