Mehtab Bagh in Agra is famous for its mughal architecture. The Mughal sense of beauty and buildings are evident all round the city. The Taj Mahal gardens that were built by Mughals are also the splendid example of taste and sense of architecture at that time. Mehtab Bagh is one of such structures.
Mehtab Bagh is typical Charbagh complex located in Agra. It is built at northern side of the Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal but on the other bank of Yamuna River, at the plains that are filled by floods during rainy season. The shape of whole garden complex is a square, and measures around 300x300 square meters which can be translated to approx 980 ft by 980 ft and is completely in sync with the Taj Mahal situated at the opposite side. During the monsoon, these grounds become partially flooded.
The Mughals built eleven gardens on the side of Yamuna River. Ram Bagh was the first and the Mehtab Bagh garden was the last of these. The emperor noted this crescent-shaped flood plain covered with grass around the Yamuna River and found it a great location to view the Taj Mahal from some distance. He then conceptualized it as a pleasure garden filled with moonlight and name it Mehtab Bagh. Fruit trees and flowers were planted while constructing walkways made of white plaster, fountains and pools, airy pavilions as an integral part of this garden. The design of the garden presents it as an inseparable portion of Taj Mahal and its surrounding complex in the pattern of riverfront terrace. Few of its proportions, such as its width was similar to that of the Taj Mahal. Mehtab Bagh came later in the possession of King of Amber, Raja Man Singh Kacchawa. He was also the owner of the land circumscribing Taj Mahal.
History of Mehtab Bagh
Mehtab Bagh has an interesting history. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Babur during his reign in the early 1500s. Later Shah Jahan, upon realizing the breathtaking view the Taj would make from here, chose the site for his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal’s mausoleum. The Mehtab Bagh was originally designed in the Mughal era’s favorite Charbagh style - a Persian style layout divided into four parts. The garden is built in a square piece of land of 300 meters on all four sides. The garden was divided with the lanes of white walkways, and large fountains with water pools and spacious pavilions filled with colorful fruit trees. The garden has a stepped fountain in the north, the water from which feeds an octagonal pond located on the south of the garden and aptly named Reflection Pond. Reflection of the Taj in this pond is a splendid sight. On the eastern side is a large pond that has channels to circulate water around the garden. Sandstone domes, temples, ponds, statues, are some other structures for the photographers to create perfect pictures.
In the Early 1900s, however, the beautiful gardens were reduced to a huge mound of sand, by frequent floods and misuse of facilities. ASI (Archeological Survey of India) in a quest to find the story behind the black Taj Mahal myth re-discovered the Mughal Gardens. ASI later started working towards the restoration of gardens to regain their original glory by planting hibiscus, guava, and citrus trees to make it look like how it did during Shah Jahan’s time.
Reasons to visit the Mehtab Bagh:
• To see the Taj at sunset or sunrise. Both are mesmerizing views. An added attraction is the reflection of the Taj in the octagonal pond.
• Enjoy the garden. It is a good place for taking pictures, stroll and enjoying the cool evening breeze.
• Enjoy the camel rides outside the garden and on the roadside.
• The garden provides great angles of the Taj Mahal and awesome picture ops for the photography lovers.
• The road leading to the Mehtab Bagh is full of souvenir shops should you plan to take some of Agra along with you.
Timings: 6 AM to 7 PM
Ticket price: For Indians: Rs. 25, for foreigners: Rs. 300, and for tourists from SAARC/BIMSTEC countries: Rs. 25.