Name: Aman Tair

Roll no: 2017-nca-arch-343

Dept: Architecture

Subject: Landscape Design/ 4th year

2. How did the Mughals transform the arid plains of India through their landscape
garden tradition?
Originating as a borrowed aesthetic from the hills of Central Asia, the gardens of India herald as an
epitome in the history of landscape tradition. Before Babur loathed over the aridity of India, curating
gardens and domesticating landscape was far-fetched to the indigenous mind. Hence the ideology of
landscape design was incorporated into the arid plains of Sub-continent which played an imperative role
in defining a holistic spatial layout of Mughal architecture.

An inevitable character of formality and symmetry adorns these palatial complexes whose patrons
aspired planning from the Safavid Dynasty. Axially planned and meticulously crafted, these premises
were an ode to human perception and how man dwells through his sensual experience in a world
dominated by nature. Therefore, to appease one’s authority, nature was subjected to obey the Emperor
choreography.

Since water hindered its availability at allocated spots, an intricate system of canals and water wheels
was engineered in order to thrive these vacant lands.

Hence, the territorialized space was enclosed, forming into a Hortus Conclusus. And following within, a
quadripartite layout, referred to as a Chahar Bagh would determine a sequence of multiple gardens.
Divided by streams and edged with walkways, these elements pronounced both political agendas and
held allegorical significance; such principles paid homage to the idea of Bagh-e-Bahisht.

As the typology of the principle structure changed, the gardens surrounding it altered altogether. They
may serve as a delight in the pleasure gardens of Shalimar or stand on guard in eternal remembrance at
Humayun’s mausoleum. These gardens acted as an entourage to the main building, complementing the
demeanor of the present landmark. So the elements and plantations had to be strategically chosen to
orchestrate a particular scene.

The fauna nestled among the Fruit Orchards, groves and fragrant bushes which involved the tangents of
taste and smell while water composed the entire picture into an ideal Oasis at Wah or Srinagar with
Cascading water over marble Chadar, bubbling fountains and reflecting pools gratifying both visual and
auditory aspects. Hence the former journeys both long and tiring eased as travellers now had retreats
along the way. Therefore the garden became a unification point of various classes, distinguished
spatially by terraced platforms.

Detailed craftsmanship was sought to sculpt the Chini khanas to hold lamps and flowers or Pavilions and
Chatris which were erected at ingenious angles to view a specific standpoint, be it across the Ganges or
the moonlit gardens of Mehtab Bagh.

Hence, the zenith of Mughal era saw the royal line dotting various terrains and scaling numerous
typographies defining their set of ideals from Fergana on the vast and harsh geography of Hindustan.
3. The Mughal Chahar Bagh is a powerful metaphor for the organization and
domestication of landscape and man’s authority over nature. Explain with
examples.
The prominent quadrangles from Mughal masterpieces hold more significance than mere landscaping.
These acres of manicured gardens encompass the very essence of the Paradise gardens. Like God,
created the divine realm of Bagh-e-Bahisht, man in his own accord, recreates the idea of paradise on
earth in the form of Chahar Bagh. While dissecting its formal quadripartite plan, we are exposed to axial
geometry and defined ratios. These underlying factors decipher the political and social propaganda
hidden among the grafted setting of Mughal Landscape tradition. Man, domineers himself upon fellow
counterparts and above nature. He controls and nurtures every asset that falls into his domain.

Louis XIV, who exercised his philosophy of absolutism over France, erected his colossal Palace over the
marshes of Versailles and declared himself as The State, physically manifesting the ideology of a
Supreme Monarch destined to rule, both over nature and its inhabitants.

Similarily the, Mughal Emperors shared a parallel path, promenading over the philosophy of class
distinction and strict social and political hierarchy. This social strata is seen in the Shalimar Gardens of
Lahore, where spatial typology is planned by altering the flat land into terraced levels, segregating
between exclusive and inclusive spaces. The Emperor’s marble throne sits on the Faiz Buksh (Giver of
Bounties) terrace in the heart of the garden complex, above the public platform, in remembrance that
he is the primary figure of the State.

The provision of water acts as an essential element in the landscape ideology, it held symbolic
representation. The Mausoleum at Bagh-e-Babur alleviates the prominence of water as it flows from the
funerary complex and cascades down onto multiple terraces, depicting that even though Babur lays
asleep in his eternal slumber, the blessings he bestows from Allah, seem not to cease.

Along the Ganges riverfront, the reputed premises of Taj Mahal stand with eternal glory. Its four main
tributaries cutting through the Chahar Bagh’s layout personify the four rivers of Paradise. Their
conjunction gives rise to the main fountain. Hence the tomb is heightened to a state of divinity as
streams emanate before this principle structure.

From turning streams for water provision to manipulating land for defining social hierarchies, the
Mughals did set an exemplary feat in proving their worth against Nature’s will. Rejuvenating desolate
plains and fighting against the odds to forge their perspective instills their name as an eminent dynasty
in the history of the Indian Sub-Continent. Their rule may be seen as a metaphoric expression towards
the landscape tradition they imparted. Like a gardener, these rulers from the blossoming capitals of
Samarkand and Bukhara nurtured this soil from its raw nature to prospering gardens. Weeding with
precision and tilling the soil so that one day this land might dignify their rule. Delving philosophers and
thinkers alike to be inspired from the allegories embedded in their Landscape design.
4. How did the Safavid landscape practice impact the urban planning of the capital
city of Isfahan?
Because of its arid climate, rocky terrain, and river-less geography, Persia; the cradle of civilization
existed remotely from the landscape garden traditions. Hence, to celebrate this idea of contrasting the
harsh desert against alluvial enclosures, Cyrus the Great initiates an obsession for Pairidaeza which
traversed further along his successors. Consequently, the Persians sought out the ingenious qanat
systems to manifest their arduous vision.

The painstaking, portrayal of the archetypal Bagh-e-Bahisht with its formal aspects, arabesque patterns,
exotic flora, fruit trees, shady enclosure and exquisite fauna was enhanced through the weaver’s loom.
These Bedouin rugs travelled through the Levant, depicting the notion of Paradise on Earth. Hence the
paradigm of reflecting God’s beauty came into vogue.

Shah Abbas I congregated this prototype into his magnum opus, stretching across with sheer glory,
across the boulevard from the Royal Mosque, the huge arena of Naqsh-e- Jahan embodies the
significance of landscape practice in the urban fabric of central Isfahan. While re-planning the new
capital, the emperor introduced the unconventional Urban Square which acted as a secular garden. Its
rectilinear form echoed the Safavid landscape layouts, comprised of axial planning and rigid geometry.
Naqsh-e-Jahan laid on the Maidan typology of Safavid gardens. Aligned to this Magnus complex stood
important religious and stately avenues of Lotfullah Mosque, Ali Qapo palace, the portico of Qaysariyyeh
and the Grand Bazaar. Hence the first colossal square in the history of Persian Landscape enabled the
king to bridle his control over the religious clergy, bourgeoisie merchants and the working-class. These
public spaces not were meant to be utilized only by religious patronage, but by travellers, merchants,
traders, and common-folk in general. Situating its presence on the grand silk route, Isfahan and
Subsequently Naqsh-e-Jahan, became a blend of various cultures. It acted as a communal theatre,
beating in the heart of the city, generating dialogues between numerous schools of thought, amplifying
economic stakes and befitting to the global market. As a result the grand capital of Isfahan heightened
its stature through social and cultural diversification during the Safavid era

Adjacent to this complex, the neighboring buildings were erected based on the same formal principles.
Their rectilinear form were drafted on axial scales and although smaller in scale, each structure was
composed of enclosed gardens, preserving the archaic character from the Safavid Dynasty.

The quaint Avenue of Chahar Bagh lives and breathe as a visual treat. Its boulevard, lined with poplar
trees and inlaid with a paved street follows a similar trail in landscape tradition. Either sides are hedged
by the Hasht Behesht (the eight heavens), and the reflection pool overlooking the pavilion of Chehel
Sotoun. Geometric ratios were brought about in determining the axial planning. The Hayat typology
abounds the entire garden complex, punctuating with streams, pergolas, and fountains enclosed within
to form the much admired Pairi Daeza.

Indeed, Shah Abbas levitated the Safavid aesthetic while folding out the palatial urban context of
Isfahan.
5. Monastic gardens in the medieval era comprised of kitchen and medicinal
gardens. Critically analyze how they have evolved into the community and herb
gardens of the modern world and integrated themselves into the contemporary
lifestyle.
The timeless garden traditions of medieval Europe retain their character because of its holistic and self-
sustaining approach, addressing the current context of Climate change.

From the advent of Industrialization to the devastation of the earth’s biomes, the ongoing societal
affairs oscillate around sustainable incentives. Today, architecture is informed as a response to
environmental threats and landscape bears no difference in highlighting this global agenda.

Harking back onto the archaic plan of St. Gall’s Abbey, one may extract the intrinsic elements of self-
reliant units which allude to the existence of the entire spatial program. Therefore, the modern mind
learns from a medieval facet and implies its application into the contemporary garden.

The Scandinavian and Nordic communes have pioneered this exemplary feat by inaugurating farmer’s
markets, where town squares are paraded from fresh lots, delivered daily from local farms. Be it the
quintessential capital of Bavaria or the rustic appeal of Tuscany, modern gardeners have impacted
commercial lines on a larger scale. This flow emanates from farm workers who have sought
entrepreneurship in seeking a respectable profit. As a result, many domestic households have revived
the medieval ways of landscape tradition, whereby the gardens abide by functional purposes instead of
solely acting as ornamental spaces.

The serene commune of Brig in the Swiss Alps provides an adequate income for the local community by
the weekly market that houses a versatile palate from fresh seasoned vegetables to daily products. Like
many others, annual food festivals are organized which not only boosts the economic value but
highlights the crucial aspects of kitchen gardens into the tourist chart.

County fairs and annual carnivals in the States of Kentucky and Pennsylvania and have seen a national
increase in homemade products as stalls are pinned along communal areas, speculating the idea of
competent community gardens. Such public affairs draw a considerable amount of attention to
landscape traditions over the masses that congregate.

Due to the presence of various social platforms, diverse gardening groups now aggregate and question
factors such as inflation, expense and health facts. People have become more aware of the toxins that
are parceled along mass produced commodities and are altering their retailing options. Instead of
venturing out into super markets for canned stocks, communities are relying on both kitchen and
medicinal gardens which offer a reasonable price tag and guarantee the nutrition value. The distance
between the gardener and the grocer has now diminished. Innovative tutorials, articles and gazettes are
published daily across limitless applications and through various means, encouraging people and
imparting the basics of gardening. Hence the old garden traditions have disseminated beyond cloistered
patches and rightfully integrated into the contemporary lifestyle of the 21 st century.
6. Evaluate how and why gardens of the Monasteries evolved and developed into
gardens found in castles and Manors.
Supplementing the entire Monastic complex, the beloved garden spaces of monks and nuns have always
instilled emotions of belonging and nurturing. But in 1536, England King Henry VIII upheaved against the
Church, parting from the papacy and initiating the infamous dissolution of Monasteries and Abbeys.
Resultantly, Abbots and Monks were executed across Europe and Monasteries, suppressed or destroyed
by the state. Unfortunately, the fate of these decrepit institutions received no consolation.

Since these grounds were possessions of the Imperial family, the owner’s ideology appropriated the
entire premises. Monastic complexes of varied character now hosted members of the aristocracy. These
palatial communes entertained hunting, seasonal feasts or make-shift lodging. Hence, cloisters and
arcades bordering sprawling gardens were converted into pleasure gardens.

The defined axial layouts were sculpted according to the structure’s utility. If it were to be a hunting
lodge, the lawns surrounding it were converted as an extension of the neighboring woodland. The
existing landscape was asymmetrical planted; curvilinear geometry mimicked the natural terrain, fruit
orchards and alpine thickets created breeding grounds. Hunting parties were then treated to these
artificial woods on desired ventures. An example stands in the Austrian state of Styria, where the
grounds of Neuberg Abbey set an ideal arena for hunting expeditions. Although the original geometry of
the Abbey Church remains intact, the surrounding landscape has been manicured to suit the travelling
groups.

In Dorset England, the Forde Abbey, a former Cistercian monastery still contains its planned kitchen
gardens juxtaposed to the verdant Informality of the English gardens. The acres enveloping this historic
site is plunged by a series of groves, bird Hideouts, pools and sprouting fountains. The contrast between
remnant patches and wild landscape hint the existence of a former institution.

But with modernism on the verge, the communal engagement towards tending gardens became old-
school, food provisions were readily available hence people ceased the practice of growing their own
crop. Landscape altered immensely. Bleeding acres of productive patches now sprouted ornamental
plants. The monastic traditions were far faded from these well versed soils.

Eminent families succeeded these monastic complexes but were alien to the former traditions and
continued to morph the landscape in accordance to Imperial manor houses and castles. The inherent
knowledge broke along the ancestral line. Gardens were stereotyped as a defined realm of visual
retreat; they became grounds to promenade upon. Follies were erected amid chirping woods, pavilions
were centralized as key elements, and twines cascaded over trellises. The whole arena became a play of
sight. This trend was further heighted by the dawn of Romanticism which incorporated its Gothic charm
of Charlotte Bronte or the whimsical canvases by William Turner. These artists concreted the former
ideals as the trend of time. Hence movements and the paradigm of society dominated a singular aspect
of landscape design over layers of history, and layers of time. Today as one gazes across these
manipulated complexes, questions of authenticity, logic and propaganda sure seem to cross the mind.