Question

With reference to Mughal architecture, what does the term Chahar Bagh mean?

• A. Garden layout in the shape of a triangle based on the gardens of Paradise mentioned in the Quran.
• B. Garden layout based on the four gardens of Paradise mentioned in the Quran.
• C. Garden layout based on the gardens of Eden mentioned in the Quran.
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is B Garden layout based on the four gardens of Paradise mentioned in the Quran.

Charbagh or Chahar Bagh is a Persian and Islamic quadrilateral garden layout based on the four gardens of Paradise mentioned in the Quran. The quadrilateral garden is divided by walkways or flowing water into four smaller parts. In Persian, "Chahar" means four, which corresponds to "Char", which means four in Urdu, while "bagh" means 'garden' in both Persian and Urdu.
Shah Jahan adapted the river-front garden in the layout of the Taj Mahal, the grandest architectural accomplishment of his reign. Here, the white marble mausoleum was placed on a terrace by the edge of the river and the garden was to its south.