The Taj Mahal is an epitome of unparallel architectural skills of the “Great Mughals” on display and has an equally grand entry which enhances the grandeur of this monument but do you know that the Emperor Shahjahan had the glimpse of Taj (which inevitably gave the best view of Taj from a distance) from a crescent shaped floodplain across the River Yamuna. This Famous place is known today as “Mehtab Bagh”.
The origins of the Mehtab Bagh are not documented in history though it is said it probably existed even before the Taj was built and was later refashioned to suit the mausoleum’s symmetry. Mehtab Bagh, was a beautiful moonlight garden boasting of white plaster pathways, breezy pavilions, pools and fountains was lost in the ravages of time until it was excavated again in 1994 and brought into focus again in the public memory.
Tourists at Mehtab Bagh
Abit on Design Principles
It was designed as an integral part of the complex in the riverfront terrace pattern seen and its width is identical to that of the rest of the Taj. Four sandstone towers marked the corners of the garden of which only the south-eastward one remains today. The foundations of two structures remain immediately north and south of the large pools which were probably garden pavilions. Other important features of the garden included a stepped waterfall, a typical square cross axial plan with a square pool in the centre & an aqueduct which probably fed the garden.
Mehtab Garden
The location of the garden made it prone to floods as early as its inception. A historical record mentions Aurangzeb complaining of flooding of the garden reaching upto the Taj complex to his Father Shahjahan. The situation had got worse in the recent times till 1994 as ASI launched major conservation efforts to reclaim the past glory and grandeur of the bygone era.
Restored Glory!!
During restoration, exotic plants such as Maulshri, Kaner and Jamun of the bygone era were included in the new list of plantation in the famed garden. An interesting feature of these trees is that they have bright coloured flowers which shine in the moonlight. Special care was taken in order to arrange the trees in order of their height .i.e. Tall trees are followed by shorter ones, followed by shrubs and finally small flowering plants. All these endeavours have ensured that Mehtab Bagh has regained much of its lost glory.
The Famous Rumour about “Black Taj”
Mehtab Bagh was also rumoured to be the proposed site for the Taj’s black marble twin that Shahjahan wanted as his mausoleum. This legend was fuelled by the 17th century French traveller Jean Baptiste Tavernier who observed in his account that before Shahjahan could begin work on his tomb he was exiled by Aurangzeb. To put an end to all these rumours extensive excavation was undertaken by ASI IN 1994. What they found in the course of these efforts was no “Black Taj” but remains of the Mehtab Garden complex.
Mehtab Garden –Destination unexplored!!
All in all If you have already been to Taj and if you want to go on a historical journey of offbeat & unexplored destinations around Taj “Mehtab Garden” is surely your cup of tea……
Location, Timings and Charges Details:
The Garden complex is situated opposite to the Taj and can be easily accessed by foot or a rickshaw. The Timings to visit the Garden are from Sunrise to Sunset and the charges are Rs 5 for Indian nationals and visitors from SAARC nations and US 2$ for foreign nationals.
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