“Did you know that Mehtab Bagh once almost disappeared?” I ask. This captivating garden in Agra holds a secret. A secret whispered on moonlit nights. Mehtab Bagh meaning Moonlight Garden lies north of the Taj Mahal. It sits on the opposite bank of the Yamuna River.
For centuries Mehtab Bagh was a charbagh a square Mughal garden. Emperor Babur the first Mughal emperor built it. It was the last of eleven such gardens along the Yamuna. It’s perfectly aligned with the Taj Mahal. Imagine the view. The Taj Mahal mirrored in the waters of the garden’s octagonal pond. A breathtaking sight especially under the moonlight.
Shah Jahan later enhanced Mehtab Bagh. He envisioned it as the perfect spot to admire his masterpiece the Taj Mahal. But Mehtab Bagh nearly vanished. Floods ravaged the land. Villagers took stones and bricks. The garden decayed. By the 1990s it was forgotten. It was little more than a mound of sand overgrown with weeds.
Then came restoration. The Archaeological Survey of India ASI began a meticulous effort. They carried out extensive excavations. They unearthed an octagonal pond with twenty-five fountains. They carefully replanted the garden. They used plants that would have been familiar to the Mughal emperors. Guava maulshri Nerium hibiscus and citrus trees. They also added other plants shrubs and flowers. Some even bloom brilliantly under the moonlight.
The ASI worked hard. They even consulted with Americans. They recreated the garden. They created a space for reflection a place of stunning beauty. The restoration project itself set new standards for Mughal garden research. The work included a detailed surface survey historical research and paleobotanical assessment.
Today Mehtab Bagh is a vibrant space. It reflects the grandeur of the Mughal era. It offers unparalleled views of the Taj Mahal. It’s a peaceful haven. It’s a place for quiet contemplation. It’s a place where history comes alive under the moonlight. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Mughal empire and its gardens.