Sheesh Mahal Delhi: Explore the Mughal Pleasure Garden and Historical Palace

Rajkumari Sharma Tankha

Nestled in the crowded bylanes of Shalimar Gaon, near Shalimar Bagh in northwest Delhi, Sheesh Mahal is one of the many historic Mughal pleasure gardens north of Shahjahanabad. A few kilometers off the Ring Road, in the Sheesh Mahal District Park, the monument stands as a testament to Mughal architecture and landscaping.

Architectural Marvel: Sheesh Mahal Palace

Constructed mainly of brick and red sandstone, Sheesh Mahal features a layout of four small rooms with a colonnade of Shahjahani-style bulbous columns at the front. Ornamental niches decorate the interior walls, and traces of lime plaster and painted designs can still be seen on the exterior.

A later addition to the main palace survives only as a solid brick structure, with three large arched openings facing the garden. Though scattered ruins of other buildings exist in the complex, the main palace remains ASI-protected.

The Gardens: Mughal Chaharbagh Design

Like most Mughal gardens, Sheesh Mahal was designed with water channels, ornate fountains, and square stepped pools. The square pool at one end features elaborately sculpted kangura motifs, a stylized battlement design used for decoration. The overall layout follows the Persian chaharbagh style, combining symmetry and aesthetic water features.

The garden, originally a fruit orchard, contains trees like jamun, mulberry, guava, mango, neem, and amla, along with traditional fruits such as badhal, amrak, and karaunda. Once stretching to Subzi Mandi in Azadpur, the orchard was partially reduced in the 1970s when the Delhi Development Authority built residential flats. In 1977, the area between Haiderpur and Shalimar was developed into a park and named District Park Sheesh Mahal.

Historical Significance of Sheesh Mahal

Construction of the Sheesh Mahal Bagh began in 1632 under the reign of Shah Jahan, guided by his wife, Azu-nissa Begum (Bibi Akbarabadi). Originally called Aizzabad, the complex featured a palace at the center and multiple auxiliary buildings, many of which have now vanished. A similar garden by Azu-nissa Begum, known as Shalimar Gardens, was built in Lahore in 1641.

Sheesh Mahal has witnessed key historical events:

• Aurangzeb crowned himself emperor here on July 21, 1658 after eliminating his brothers.

• During the Battle of Karnal in 1739, Persian ruler Nadir Shah captured Delhi after the governor, Lutfullah Khan, surrendered the keys of the fortress, treasury, and storehouses.

Shah Jahan frequently used Sheesh Mahal as a royal halt during trips to Kashmir, Punjab, and Lahore, and it later became a favored country residence of Emperor Aurangzeb.

During the British Raj, officials like Sir David Ochterlony and Lord Metcalfe used the garden as their summer lodge, adding another layer to its rich history.

Experience Sheesh Mahal Today

Today, Sheesh Mahal remains a serene escape in northwest Delhi, where narrow kuchcha pathways lined by fruit trees create a peaceful ambiance. The garden is home to peacocks and peahens, with the monsoon season offering particularly stunning sights. Though water channels are no longer functional, the lush greenery, chirping birds, and historical architecture make it a captivating spot for visitors and history enthusiasts.