By Lt Gen (R) Sardar Hasan Azhar Hayat
MD Pakistan Land Port Authority
Ex MD Green Tourism Pvt. Ltd
Beauty of Mughal Gardens Wah is enhanced by Cypress trees (Saroo )! Many of you may not know but these trees have different interpretation in different cultures & religions in Eastern & Islamic Culture they are considered to be icon to endurance & Beauty. In Ancient Greek mythology they are synonymous to Gods, in Christianity it’s consider to be sign of resurrection and eternal life and often planted in cemeteries, likewise they have importance in Japanese & Chinese culture. Since Childhood these trees have mesmerised me. I saw these trees dying having outlived their life, while some still standing tall. In my research their life varies from 1000 to 1500 years, if looked after well. The oldest are in Iran and Greece / Southern Europe.
As far as Wah Mughal Gardens are concerned they were first explored and pondages were made by Maan Singh one of ministers of Shanshah Akbar 1581-1585. Later Emperor Jehangir visited these Mughal Gardens and gave expression of “Wah” the place was called Jalalsar before, after one of our ancestors and the name was changed permanently to Wah. Emperor Shah Jahan stayed here four times; in his first visit in 1639 he tasked famous Archetect Ahmed Lahori to build a Baradari and Canal system with outer perimeter with 12 gates. The purpose to indicate all this is that Cypress trees are planted astride the water channels so are around 950 years old. Famous for Lokat primarily my research says some of our ancestors had imported this from Japan and Mughal gardens are surrounded by Lokat orchards now getting thin as housings societies are creeping around. Later from 1813 – 1847 the Gardens came under Sikh rule, the Khattars of Wah, my clan resisted and sided with Britishers but gardens were considerably damaged.
In 1865 the British bestowed upkeep of Wah Mughal Gardens to Nawab Muhammad Hyat Khan a Khattar Chieftan our elder and author of Hyat e Afghani, the Khattar ancestral grave yard is opposite Wah Mughal Gardens but my great great Grandfathers grave exists inside the Mughal Gardens Sadar Ghulam Khan who was brother of Nawab Muhammad Hyat Khan. In 1976 Bhutto Sahib was invited on Walima of Sardar Shaukat Hyats son and I can recall as a child the serenity of the place and baloons on waters with tall pine and Chinar trees so serene, with cypress trees guarding the canals, thereafter the gardens were acquired by government from family and we saw trees fading away and also remember Dani Sahib the famous archaeologist did excavation and main pond was discovered with Turkish Hamams, I can keep going but coming back to Cypress trees.
The Cyoress trees have mostly lived their life but one can hardly make a symmetry as some have vanished / fallen while some have dried. While I plant some every year for last couple of years, but made efforts this year to plant more this spring! Old dried trees were removed and got plants from Patoki through CDA, they are just 4 feet and will require lot of care. This drive will continue for next 2-3 years to replace dried trees to get back the old charm, we planted 30 cypress trees. I believe we may not live to see them grow but important to retain the actual beauty of Mughal Gardens Wah and the Cypress trees .
However I find need to request Punjab Government to pay special attention to Wah Mughal Gardens they have natural water and environment compared to Shalimar Gardens made in same timeframe and design but have 12 tube wells to charge while Wah Gardens have natural water source. We make all efforts and struggle to retain greenery and save the acquadects coming out of nearby mountain, which is always prone to selling and housing societies, primarily belonging to again Khattar family of Wah.
Today we also charged the main central canal water system and it looks beautiful when charged, with tall Cypress trees on sides, usually the main canal is not charged. The gravity fountains one of its kind are not working, will work with archeology department to make them functional.
In personal capacity I am doing what I can the place has total 3 people including curator & gardener vert less so as a local we chip in. I was able to plant around 200 trees this year in Wah Gardens.
Regarding fish ponds, had to consult Punjab Fisheries as these pondages are not registered. The Mughal Garden ponds has excellent Fona including Eels & Masheer, but Carp Fish locally called Gulfam which found place is spoiling the environment, this will be removed and Masheer and Talapia an anti-dengue fish will be retained with help of fisheries department, to get back the reefs and weeds so important for environment.
Today we also charged the main central canal water system and it looks beautiful when charged, with tall Cypress trees on sides, usually the main canal is not charged. The gravity fountains one of its kind are not working, will work with archeology department to make them functional. In personal capacity I am doing what I can the place has total 3 people including curator & gardener vert less so as a local we chip in. I was able to plant around 200 trees this year in Wah Gardens. Regarding fish ponds, had to consult Punjab Fisheries as these pondages are not registered. The Mughal Garden ponds has excellent Fona including Eels & Masheer, but Carp Fish locally called Gulfam which found place is spoiling the environment, this will be removed and Masheer and Talapia an anti-dengue fish will be retained with help of fisheries department, to get back the reefs and weeds so important for environment. I think Wah Mughal Garden is crown of Northern Punjab and Mughal architecture and needs attention by landscaping, horticulture, preservation of water & environment and restoration of baradari and facilities! Rowdy crowd in summers needs to be controlled and no swimming with police over watch. Local visitors don’t care about plantation and water. This place has history and so do the Cypress trees of Wah Gardens and needs to be preserved in actual shape.
