Aam Khas Bagh

Park in Punjab, India

Aam Khas Bagh
Aam Khas Bagh, Fatehgarh Sahib district, Punjab, India

Type	Mughal garden
Location	Fatehgarh Sahib district, Punjab
Opened	Open to Public
Owned by	Archaeological Survey of India
Status	Under Repair,

Aam Khas Bagh is the remains of a highway-inn constructed for the use of royalty as well as common people. It was divided into two parts - the Aam for public use and the Khas for private use by the Royalty. This Royal inn was initially built by Akbar and planned by Mughal architect Hafiz Rakhna. It was rebuilt by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan along the Mughal military road between Delhi and Lahore. The Royal couple used to stay here in the old building complex while going to and coming back from Lahore. Later on, some additions were made to this monument by Mughal Emperor Jahangir.^[1]

Aam Khas Bagh complex

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 are being maintained. It is a Mughal type garden. The old complex, which has archaeological value, is being maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.^[2] The area was maintained until a few years ago. The buildings which are in worst condition include Daulat Khana Khas, Sard Khana and Shahi Hamaam. Lack of upkeep has ruined these buildings.^[3]

The complex also has an orchard spread over 11 acres of land. The orchard has mango, pear and guava plantations and some trees are more than 70 years old.^[4]

Monuments

The following monuments are situated in the vicinity of Aam Khas Bagh:^[5]

Sard Khana - This monument was built by Emperor Jahangir. This is an air conditioned chamber of that time. The water was pulled 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 waterfalls.
Sheesh Mahal - This beautiful building was known as Daulat-Khana-E-Khas and Sheesh Mahal. It was built by the orders of Emperor Jahangir. There have been some subsequent alterations to the original building. The domes of this monument were decorated with glazed tiles, some of which are still visible 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 constructed by the 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 built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as his private residence. 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 the building.

Light and sound show

During the famous Shaheedi Jor Mela at Fatehgarh Sahib, the light and sound programme^[6] regarding the history of Sirhind and the martyrdom of younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh in the form of Play - Sirhind Di Deewar^[7] is shown to the visitors at night in the Aam Khas Bagh.^[8]

Gallery

Main Entry Gate of Aam Khas Bagh
Entrance of Aam khas Bag, Sirhind, Fatehgarh Sahib district, Punjab, India
Aam khas Bag, Sirhind, Fatehgarh Sahib district, Punjab, India, North West side
Aam khas Bag, Sirhind, Fatehgarh Sahib district, Punjab, India, Entrance
Aam khas Bag, Sirhind, Fatehgarh Sahib district, Punjab, India, Sarad Khana
Aam khas Bag, Sirhind, Fatehgarh Sahib district, Punjab, India, view from height
ruins of Daulat Khana-E-Khas
Visitor's board in dilapidated condition
Sarai Wing ruins
Main Water Tank Aam Khas Bhag Fatehgarh Sahib
Hamam External Water Channel
Hamam internal view
Hamam internal underground water tank
View of well from saradkhana
Sardkhana adjoining water channel
Aam Khas Bagh, Sirhind Wells Near Saradkhana ways adjoining well
Aam Khas Bagh, Sirhind Wells Near Saradkhana 1
Aam Khas Bagh, Sirhind Wells Near Saradkhana
Aam Khas Bagh, Sirhind Wells Near Saradkhana with Pulleys to lift water
Aam Khas Bagh Sirhind Daulat Khana-Ekhas internal ruins
Aam Khas Bagh Sirhind Daulat Khana-Ekhas Inside
Aam Khas Bagh Sirhind Daulat Khana-Ekhas
Aam Khas Bagh, Fatehgarh Sahib
Water Channels in Aam Bagh Naugharana
Water Channels in Aam Bagh in front of Sardkhana 2

References

^ "Aam Khas Bagh - The Famous Monument of Punjab". www.discoveredindia.com. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
^ 1 Aam Khas Bagh, Old Complex
^ [1] Present condition of the internal structure-Source-Tribune India
^ "Indian Express".
^ [2] Archived 18 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Monuments situated in the vicinity of the Aam Khas Bagh
^ [3] Archived 9 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine Light & Sound program
^ [4] Sirhind Di Deewar
^ "Other Places - Fatengarh Sahib". Archived from the original on 9 April 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2010. Other Places