IDNO

P.97231.WIL

Description

View of the Khas Mahal from the Anguri Bagh (Garden of Grapes) with the tank with fountains visible to the left. The Khas Mahal has arched recesses, with the richly ornamented ceilings of the palace being flat and the complex has stylishly carved and molded brackets. In the background to the left are the rounded roof of the portico (as seen in MW.7.37-38), and the copper gilded topped domed of the Musamman Burj (Octagonal Tower). [JD 7/5/2008]

On Cech’s list describing prints:
“(224-236 were taken during a sight-seeing tour the Williamsons made in North India, ending up in Delhi.)
229c/d. “In Agra fort (Peggy) 29.1.34”.” [printed text]
For more information see Cech’s list.

Place

S Asia; India; Uttar Pradesh; Agra; Agra Fort

Cultural Affliation

Named Person

Photographer

Williamson, Margaret

Collector / Expedition

Date

28 - 29 January 1934

Collection Name

Williamson Collection

Source

Williamson, Margaret

Format

Print Black & White

Primary Documentation

Other Information

The transcription of this album by Mark Turin and Sara Shneiderman was carried out with reference to Krystina Cech’s catalogue list alone. Alex Nadin has since revised their cataloguing by systematically matching their records to the images. Margaret Williamson’s handwritten captions for photographs have now been transcribed into the Inscription field, and Cech’s descriptions appear in the Description field. Correct entries for Place, Named Person and Other Nos. have also been entered by Alex Nadin. [Sudeshna Guha 29/10/2002]

Place: “Built by Shah Jehan between 1631-40, 'Khas Mahal' or 'Aramgah-i-Muqaddar' has river on the one side and Anguri Bagh on the other. Built for the two favorite daughters of Shah Jehan, Jahanara and Roshanara, it has a beautiful tank in front with fountains, white marble pavilions and open courts. The central hall or baradari and the adjoining colonnade or portico is almost of same size. The arched recesses of the main hall lead to the side rooms. The richly ornamented ceilings of the palace are flat and the complex has stylishly carved and molded brackets. The niches in the walls are believed to have contained portraits of Mughal emperors while the iron rings in the roof of the central hall were meant for the chandeliers.
It is believed that Jahanara lived in the northern one of the two almost identical pavilions separated from the central hall by a high marble wall. These red sand stone pavilions have been plastered with white shell plaster and have skilful gold work in its mural paintings. The interiors are profusely ornamented in floral and geometrical patterns from the dados to the ceiling. Gold and blue, the royal colors, have been abundantly used here and still their traces are visible on the walls. [Source: Agra: the Taj City, www.agraindia.org.uk/agra-fort/anguri-bagh.html, JD 7/5/2008]

Place: “Shah Jehan built Anguri Bagh or the Garden of Grapes in 1637. With Khas Mahal to its east and red sandstone arcades on the other three sides, it was the principal square of the zenana apartments or the living area of the royal ladies. There was a marble paved platform with a fountain in its centre and the garden itself was divided into compartments in intricate geometrical pattern. As the name suggests, this garden was known for harvesting choicest of grapes and flowers throughout the year. It was designed to be a pleasant retreat or the paradise garden for the royal ladies and ensured their complete privacy. Hammams or imperial bathhouses adorned with exquisite wall paintings in royal blue and gold were located to its northeast. The tanks near the Jehangiri Mahal ensured the water supply to the ponds and baths of this garden.” [Source: Agra: the Taj City, www.agraindia.org.uk/agra-fort/anguri-bagh.html, JD 7/5/2008]

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Jocelyne Dudding 7/5/2008]