Bagh e Safa: Another Mughal’s tribute towards nature

A beautiful and fresh garden where clean water, tasty fruits and eccentric birds resides. Bagh e Safa definitely an epitome of Mughal’s esthetic sense in reality. Once a lush green garden now seeks an attention from authorities.

Kalar Kahar, Chakwal: Bagh e Safa, also known as Clean Garden or Pleasure garden founded in the beautiful valley of Kalar Kahar Pakistan. Around 100 kilometers from Islamabad and 30 kilometers from Chakwal, you can reach to this destination conveniently. Near 1500 feet above sea level and surrounded by trees, fresh air and clear water river. Bagh e safa is definitely a favorite spot for various tourists as well as local travelers.

11 Kanals of space covered with fruit trees and plants. Loquats, pomegranates, grapes and apricots can found here abundantly. Water or river is clean as mirror whereas peacocks and many beautiful birds lives here in a beautiful natural habitat.

Also See : Mighty Karakorum Highway: Silk road of Pakistan

Located in close proximity to the Lake on an elevation is the Shrine of two Muslim Martyrs (Yaaqoob and Ishaaque) son of Abd-ur-Razzaq Gellani who was son of renowned Muslim Saint Abdul Qadir Gilani. A number of peacocks reside in its vincinity and near the Lake. They are fed by the shrine’s caretakers at dawn and sunset. According to local legend, a kind of “spiritual bonding” between the deceased Saint and the peacock exists, and anyone harming them may experience bad luck.

History of this Mughal’s art

Zaheer Uddin Babar was the first Mughal king who invaded India. He came from Fergana (Now Uzbekistan) and ruled India for decades. In one of his excavation he stops at the point in 1519 AD . His horses were thirsty and this place was airy and fresh. On the first glance he call this place as Kahar that means Charming place with good air. He liked this place so much that he ordered to build a beautiful garden over here. He named it Bagh e safa, the description of this garden can found in his book Babar Nama as well.

Another amazing place a stone placed here known as Babar’s throne or Takht e Babari. It said that Babar use to sit here and order his army to do chores. A big place dedicated to the throne. An inscription stone placed near it so that tourists can know the history of this unique throne. A lake is behind this throne, that explains the esthetic sense of Mughal king really well.

Bagh E Safa seeks for attention

For the longest time this garden was the highlight of the state. After the fall of Mughals, Britishers took care of it. Since they are very good at preserving places. Garden was in its best condition till 1900s. After the partition garden starts to deteriorate slowly. Fruit trees are still green and gave enough fruits and peacocks are enough to entertain tourists.

Also See : Mohatta Palace: A Magnificent love story with a spooky twist

Executive District Officer (Agriculture) Liaquat Ali who has the authority to maintain this place continuously asks for funds. According to him there were four daily wager gardeners here earlier, now there is only one. Peacocks life are in danger because of tourists and their unhealthy behavior.

Surprisingly, when Loquats ripens, authority gets active to cash them from contractors. They sold for approximately 93,000 pkr. Whereas pomegranates, grapes and other fruits destroyed by the negligence of people. In recent times government urge to renovate the garden but lack of funds stops the project in between.