Aam Khas Bagh
Encyclopedia
Aam Khas Bagh, today is actually remains of a highway-inn constructed for the use of royalty as well as common people (as its name denotes). This Royal inn was initially built by Babur extended and almost rebuilt by Mughal
Emperor Shah Jahan
along the Mughal military road
between Delhi
and Lahore, and The Royal couple used to stay here in the old building complex, while going to and coming back from Lahore
.
The complex was famous for a perfect air-conditioning system called Sarad Khana. The Sheesh Mahal of the Daulat-Khana-e-Khas, the hamam and the tank had unique methods of heating water. The palace compound also had a set of fountains. Water for the fountains was drawn from a huge well nearby and circulated through underground conduits. A beautiful garden and the Nursery is being maintained.
The old complex, which has archaeological value, is being maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India
. The area was maintained till a few years ago. Buildings in worst condition include Daulat Khana Khas, Sard Khana and Shahi Hamaam. Lack of upkeep has ruined these buildings.
The brief description of the monuments situated in the vicinity of the Aam Khas Bagh is as under:
at Fatehgarh Sahib
, the light and sound programme regarding the history of Sirhind
and the martyrdom of younger sons
of Guru Gobind Singh
in the form of Play - Sirhind Di Deewar is shown to the visitors at night in the Aam Khas Bagh.
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
Emperor Shah Jahan
Shah Jahan
Shah Jahan Shah Jahan (also spelled Shah Jehan, Shahjehan, , Persian: شاه جهان) (January 5, 1592 – January 22, 1666) Shah Jahan (also spelled Shah Jehan, Shahjehan, , Persian: شاه جهان) (January 5, 1592 – January 22, 1666) (Full title: His Imperial Majesty Al-Sultan al-'Azam wal Khaqan...
along the Mughal military road
Grand Trunk Road
The Grand Trunk Road also formerly known as Uttarapatha, Shah Rah-e-Azam or Sadak-e-Azam or Badshahi Sadak is one of South Asia's oldest and longest major roads...
between Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
and Lahore, and The Royal couple used to stay here in the old building complex, while going to and coming back from Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
.
Aam Khas Bagh complex
The old complex, which has archaeological value, is being maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India
Archaeological Survey of India
The Archaeological Survey of India is a department of the Government of India, attached to the Ministry of Culture . The ASI is responsible for archaeological studies and the preservation of archaeological heritage of the country in accordance with the various acts of the Indian Parliament...
. The area was maintained till a few years ago. Buildings in worst condition include Daulat Khana Khas, Sard Khana and Shahi Hamaam. Lack of upkeep has ruined these buildings.
Monuments
- Sard Khana - This monument was got built by emperor JahangirJahangirJahangir was the ruler of the Mughal Empire from 1605 until his death. The name Jahangir is from Persian جهانگیر,meaning "Conqueror of the World"...
. This is an air conditioned chamber of that time. The water was pulled out through large pulleys from the adjoining well and was passed through water channels running through the walls of this building and was used for fountains and creating water falls.
- Sheesh Mahal - This beautiful building was known as Daulat-Khana-E-Khas and was also called Sheesh Mahal. This was got built by the orders of Emperor Jahangir. There have been some subsequent alterations in the original building. The domes of this monument were decorated with glazed tiles, some of which can be noticed even today.
- Hamam - This monument was constructed by the orders of Emperor Jahangir. In this, water was taken through underground terracotta channels and a unique method of heating the water was adopted.
- Tank - This tank was got prepared by orders of Emperor Jahangir. There was a Mehtabi-Chabutra in the centre which has fallen down. On the east and west sides of this tank quarters for Mughal Employees were built.
- Daulat Khana-E-Khas- This double storeyed monument was got built by Mughal Emperor Shah JahanShah JahanShah Jahan Shah Jahan (also spelled Shah Jehan, Shahjehan, , Persian: شاه جهان) (January 5, 1592 – January 22, 1666) Shah Jahan (also spelled Shah Jehan, Shahjehan, , Persian: شاه جهان) (January 5, 1592 – January 22, 1666) (Full title: His Imperial Majesty Al-Sultan al-'Azam wal Khaqan...
as his private residence. This must have been the most beautiful building of those time. All the rooms and main walls of this building were decorated with designs. The central hall measured 18 x 14 and eastern walls were having two tall minarets. On the northern side there were many tanks and fountains which added to the grandeur of this building.
Light & Sound show
During the famous Shaheedi Jor MelaShaheedi Jor Mela
Shaheedi Jor Mela is organised every year in December at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, in the Fatehgarh Sahib district of Punjab to pay homage to the martyrdom of Baba Zorawar Singh ji and Baba Fateh Singh ji, the youngest of the tenth guru of sikhs Guru Gobind Singh's four sons.-Supreme sacrifice:Both...
at Fatehgarh Sahib
Fatehgarh Sahib
Fatehgarh Sahib is headquarters of Fatehgarh Sahib district, one of the twenty districts in the state of Punjab in North-West India.-History:The city is an historically important town north of Patiala, especially for the Sikh faith...
, the light and sound programme regarding the history of Sirhind
History of Sirhind
Sirhind is the older and more popular name of Fatehgarh Sahib. It is situated on the Delhi to Lahore Highway. It has a population of about 60,852. It is now a district headquarters in the state of Punjab; the name of the district is Fatehgarh Sahib....
and the martyrdom of younger sons
Saka sirhind
Chhotte Sahibzade of Guru Gobind Singh attained martyrdom on 26 December 1705 at a very young age. This is known as Saka Sirhind. Everyyear on 26 December, Shaheedi Jor Mela is organised at Fatehgarh Sahib, to commemorate the supreme sacrifice at the place of their martyrdom....
of Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh is the tenth and last Sikh guru in a sacred lineage of ten Sikh gurus. Born in Patna, Bihar in India, he was also a warrior, poet and philosopher. He succeeded his father Guru Tegh Bahadur as the leader of Sikhs at a young age of nine...
in the form of Play - Sirhind Di Deewar is shown to the visitors at night in the Aam Khas Bagh.
See also
- Gurdwara Fatehgarh SahibGurdwara Fatehgarh SahibGurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib is named so, because it marks the conquest of the Sikhs in 1710 when under the leadership of Banda Bahadur, the Sikhs ran over the area and razed the fort to the ground.-History:...
- Jahaz HaveliJahaz HaveliThe Haveli Todar Mal popularly known as Jahaz Haveli or Jahaz Mahal is the 17th-century residence of Todar Mal Jain, a local businessman from Sirhind, and an ardent follower of the Sikh Gurus, who became the diwan in the court of Nawab Wazir Khan, the Governor of Sirhind, under Mughal Empire...