The Charbagh style, a historical and integral part of the Persian garden design, has been an architectural wonder and aesthetic of Delhi. It has emerged as a symbol of paradise, the Charbagh is a quadrilateral garden layout based on the ‘four gardens’ according to the Quran.

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Origins of the Charbagh style

The Charbagh style which flourished in the 16th century originated from Persian Garden Traditions and reached India with the Mughals. Charbagh means “four gardens” in Persian referring to the four-part garden by walkways and water channel, uniquely describing the four rivers of paradise according to the Islamic text.

The Charbagh-style gardens emphasised geometry, water features, and floral patterns. In Delhi the four gardens are incorporated with elevated terraces, water channels and fragrant flower beds, giving a harmonious environment and reflecting the Mughals lifestyle. It was under the reigns of Babur, Humayun, Akbar and Shah Jahan that the Charbagh style flourished in India, making Delhi its centre.

The Charbagh Style Designs and Floral Patterns

The Charbagh style is based on an elevated highly structured and geometrical layout. It is usually centred with a tomb or a pavilion along with four quadrants that represent the four gardens of paradise in Delhi. Of all the quadrants each is divided further into a small plot, giving a sense of infinity and order.

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In Delhi, these floral patterns and the gardens were carefully selected for their symbolic and unique qualities as well as their visual appeal.

Charbagh can be understood as a quadrilateral garden into parts by water channel. The name is derived from the Urdu and Persian word chāhār bāgh, meaning ‘four gardens’. The oldest garden of this type is at Pasargadae in Iran. A dry place and the main role of water channels is to supply water, probably for irrigation and to feed people who live in tents.

One can only guess but it seems an assumption that the idea of using rectilinear canals in this way must have come from the lost gardens of Mesopotamia. The ancestors of the Aryan tribes who built Pasargadae were known to be nomads. They had wandered Central Asia and, when they came south, they learned about architecture, agriculture and gardens from the settled civilisations of the rich flood plains watered by the Rivers Tigres and the Euphrates. Pasargadae is built on stone and rock. This lets the water channels survive. In Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) they were built with mud, washed away by floods and destroyed by agricultural change.

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1. Water channels: According to the Islamic tradition water which is a key feature of paradise played a crucial role in Charbagh’s design. It represented pool fountains and flowing water channels which help create a serene environment according to the garden’s symmetry.
2. Floral beds: The floral beds in Charbagh Gardens are properly arranged with beautiful flowers such as lilies, roses and marigolds that took centre stage. Each flower had a unique meaning with the rose representing priority and love while the Marigold representing life-giving energy.
3. Architectural harmony: The garden layout is surrounded by the central tomb or pavilion which serves as the centre point. 
4. Trees and shade: Numerous fruits like oranges and pomegranates were planted in Charbagh gardens providing shade and sustenance. The reason for these fruits was to complement the floral patterns and create a sense of harmony.
   

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The Charbagh style floral motifs are not only confined to gardens but are also found in decorative arts, textiles, manuscripts and other architectural decorations. Floral carvings can be seen on Mughal monuments like the Taj Mahal and Jama Masjid which were influenced by the Charbagh floral patterns.

The Growth of the Charbagh Style in Delhi

With the reign of Mughal emperors and their love for gardens and architecture, Delhi became the centre of the Charbagh-style gardens. 

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Humayun’s tomb and the birth of Charbagh in Delhi: Built in the 16th century, Humayun’s tomb was one of the earliest and most famous of the Charbagh style in Delhi. It was built by Empress Haji Begum. The garden was designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, a Persian architect who divided the Charbagh-style garden into four quadrants with walkways and water channels. The tomb of Humayun was placed at the centre.

Shah Jahan’s Charbagh Garden: It was during the reign of Shahjahan the Charbagh style reached its peak. Shahjahan was known for his architectural genius and commissioned numerous gardens in Delhi, especially those around the Jama Masjid and the Red Fort. 

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The Shalimar Bagh in Delhi was also the work of Shah Jahan’s architectural genius. The garden was carefully planned with symmetrical flowerbeds, water channels and verdant trees used as a royal retreat especially for the emperor to take a break from the court.

The Charbagh style in pop culture

Numerous movies have been made depicting the lives of Mughal emperor Akbar like “Jodhaa Akbar” and “Mughal-e-Azam” showcasing the grandeur of Mughal-era Delhi. In the movie, Jodha Akbar numerous scenes were set in the Royal Garden with lush flower beds, water channels and walking pathways giving a sense of paradise and the beauty of Mughal architecture.

The Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi was built during the British colonial rule and it is a contemporary interpretation of the Charbagh style with a mix of the Mughal, Persian and British architectural design. The Islamic Garden at the Aga Khan Centre in London was also inspired by the Charbagh Garden reviving the age-old tradition in public spaces. 

Conclusion 

The Charbagh style which is known for its floral patterns and spiritual symbolism has played an important role in shaping Delhi’s Mughal-era historical landscape. It is rooted in the Persian traditions where the Charbagh style layout has reflected the Mughal emperor’s vision and ideas. 

Although many of the Delhi Charbagh styles have disappeared, efforts have been made to restore and preserve the ones existing. From the majestic Humayun’s tomb to the Shalimar Bagh, the Charbagh-style Gardens continue to captivate tourists with their timeless architectural design and serene charm, providing a view of the paradise the Mughals envisioned.