Hidden away in the tranquil village of Jhor, about 15 km from Dholpur, lies the oldest Mughal Garden of the Indian subcontinent – Bagh-i-Nilufar, or the Lotus Garden. Built in 1527 AD by Emperor Babur, the garden was conceived as a paradise amidst Rajasthan’s rugged landscape, where nature’s elegance would blend harmoniously with Mughal artistry. Inspired by the serene beauty of Dholpur’s hills, Babur directed his chief architect, Ustad Shah Mohammad, to flatten a hill and carve out an exquisite garden adorned with water channels, ponds, and a grand octagonal tank. However, over the centuries, the garden faded from memory, its intricate design lost beneath the sands of time. It was rediscovered in 1978 AD by Elizabeth Moynihan, wife of the American Ambassador to India. Guided by Babur’s autobiography, Elizabeth meticulously traced the remnants of the Mughal landscape from Uzbekistan to Dholpur. Though much of its original grandeur had been wiped away, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has since worked tirelessly to preserve the remaining elements of this historic masterpiece. Architectural Highlights At the heart of Bagh-i-Nilufar lies a massive foliated octagonal water tank, carved from a single rock outcrop. Measuring 8.8 meters in diameter, the tank is surrounded by smaller, lotus-shaped ponds, all connected by intricate water channels. The garden also includes the remains of a hammam (bathhouse), an octagonal well with radiating chutes, and Sikander Lodi’s bund (dam) on a nearby reservoir. These elements reflect the fusion of natural beauty with thoughtful design, embodying the Mughal vision of a heavenly retreat on earth. A Walk Through History and Nature Exploring Bagh-i-Nilufar offers a rare glimpse into Babur’s vision—a blend of artistic refinement and natural elegance. Wander among the remains of water channels and lotus ponds, carved meticulously from rock, and imagine the garden in its original splendor. The preserved ruins whisper stories of Mughal ambitions, forgotten treasures, and the timeless allure of Dholpur’s hills.
