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Monument near Samnabad
The Chauburji (four minars) gateway is all that remains of an extensive garden known to have existed in Mughal times. The gate bares an inscription dated 1646, stating that Jahan Ara first built the garden's entrance gate, but then bestowed it upon Miyan Bai, most likely a high ranking attendant. Although little is known about Miyan Bai, she possessed adequate wealth to finish the garden herself. Originally it was the gateway to the Garden of Zebinda Begum (Zeb-un-Nissa), the daughter of Aurangzeb.
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* (more on this gateway) *
Zeb-un-Nissa is also said to have been excessively fond of one particular kaneez (serving girl), Mian Bai. This intimacy was a subject of gossip. Perhaps it was the same Mian Bai who was gifted the Chauburji garden in Lahore. The Chauburji building has the Ayat-ul-Kursi inscribed on the main gate. The date of its completion was recorded as 1646 AD by SM Latif, the famous Lahore historian who translated the Persian verse carved at the monument entrance:
"This garden, in the pattern of Paradise, has been founded
The garden has been bestowed on Mian Bai
By the beauty of Zebinda Begam, the lady of the age"
According to Latif, Mian Bai was the favourite female attendant of Zeb-un-Nissa. Shah Jahan Nama also throws some light on the gardens and their gift to the lucky Bai. Since Mian Bai had supervised the laying out of these gardens, the local people called it Mian Bai’s gardens. Respecting local opinion, Zeb-un-Nissa bequeathed these gardens to her favourite slave girl. Eventually, she fell out of royal favour, not for her eclectic pursuits but for the rebellion of her brother Akbar, who proclaimed himself as emperor in 1681. While the rebellion was short and unsuccessful, Zeb-un-Nissa kept corresponding with her exiled brother; this landed her imprisonment in a Delhi fortress until her death in 1702.
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This is Lahore, this is Pakistan. Mahsha'Allah!
Copyright © Noor Mohammad Khan.
m.bugi | 14-Dec-2007 08:03 | |