Khusro Bagh, Prayagaraj

Khusro Bagh, Prayagaraj | History, Timing & Ticket entry Fee

One of Allahabad’s most visited tourist spots is Khusro Bagh, which is located at Lukarganj. The Khusro Bagh’s walled bracketing is a magnificent example of Mughal architecture.

It has the three sandstone graves of the Jehangir family: Khusrau Mirza, his daughter Sultan Nithar Begum, his wife Shah Begum, and his eldest son Shah Begum. Aqa Reza, an artist on Jehangir’s court, is credited with designing the most of the space. The Bagh boasts ornate carvings and inscriptions on each mausoleum, set against the backdrop of a beautifully designed landscape filled with roses and guava trees.

History of Khusro Bagh, Prayagraj

Jahangir, the Mughal emperor, constructed Khusro Bagh in the early 17th century as a tomb for his relatives. Shah Begum, Jahangir’s first wife and the mother of his eldest son Khusrau Mirza, had the earliest mausoleum ever built. Distressed by the battle between Jahangir and Khusrau, Shah Begum killed herself in 1604 by ingesting opium. Her modest and devout nature is reflected in her plain, square, flat-roofed grave.

Khusrau Mirza, who was the heir apparent to the Mughal empire but was defeated and imprisoned by his father Jahangir after rebelling against him with the help of his grandfather Akbar, had his second tomb constructed. His brother Shah Jahan, who replaced Jahangir as emperor, later assassinated Khusrau Mirza. His tomb is a magnificent octagonal building with a tall dome that is embellished with geometric and floral designs. Although his real grave is in the basement, his tomb also features a fake cenotaph on the roof.

Nithar Begum, the sister of Khusrau Mirza and daughter of Jahangir, had the third and most ornate mausoleum constructed. Because she never married and dedicated her life to serving her father and brother, she was often referred to as the “Second Taj Mahal.” Her mausoleum is a stunning double-domed, hexagonal building with elaborate paintings and decorations. Her actual grave is located in a chamber below ground level, but her tomb also features a fake cenotaph on the roof.

During the Indian Revolt of 1857, Khusro Bagh also saw a significant incident when a party of Indian soldiers commanded by Maulvi Liaquat Ali attacked the garden and proclaimed rebel leader Nana Sahib to be the Peshwa of India. However, the garden was quickly retaken and the British forces regained control.

Since it is thought that Motilal Nehru, the father of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, lived close to the garden, Khusro Bagh is also associated with the Nehru-Gandhi family. Additionally, the Nehru family would come to the park and honor the tombs.

Architecture of the Khusro Bagh, Prayagraj

The Khusro Bagh’s ornately adorned gates give way to exquisitely crafted balconies. Only two tombs and one empty mausoleum—that of the daughter Nithar—are found across the entire building. Nithar’s tomb, which sits next to Sultan Begum’s, her mother, is reputed to have the most exquisite artwork of the three.

The chhatri, a notable dome-like structure in Indian architecture, covers the roof of Sultan Begum’s tomb. On the other hand, Nithar’s mausoleum features elaborate floral and theme motifs along with ceilings painted with stars. But Khuro’s tomb, which was the final component, isn’t particularly noteworthy architecturally.

How to Reach Khusro Bagh, Prayagraj

Roads, airplanes, and trains can all be used to get to Khusro Bagh, which is about 3.3 km from the center of Allahabad and about 12 to 12 km from the Prayagraj Airport, which is about 30 minutes away by car; it is also close to the Allahabad Railway Station, which is about 10 to 12 km away and can be reached by foot in 10 minutes; and it is only about 5 km from the attraction, the Allahabad bus depot on Sardar Patel Road, which is easily accessible with an 11-minute taxi or self-drive.

Best Time to Visit Khusro Bagh, Prayagraj

There is no admission charge, and Khusro Bagh is accessible year-round from 6 am to 7 pm. However, because of the nice and temperate temperature, October through March is the ideal time of year to visit Khusro Bagh. The garden is lush and verdant, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 30°C. You may take in the garden’s tranquility and beauty as well as the tombs’ artwork and architecture. Additionally, you can observe a few religious and cultural festivals and events that happen in and around the garden, such Diwali, Holi, and Muharram.