PERSIAN GARDENS

INTRODUCTION

The Persian Garden refers to a tradition and style of garden design which originated in Persia and which influenced the design of gardens throughout the larger region.

The origin of Persian gardens

may date back as far as 4000

BCE;

The decorated pottery of that

time displays the typical cross

plan of the Persian garden.

 El Partal in the upper Alhambra, Granada

Features These gardens are

enclosed.

The main purpose behind building such gardens was to provide relaxation in different manner such as spiritual, leisurely (e.g. meetings with friends).

“Pairi daeza” means enclosed space in Persian language.

This Christian mythology adopted this term to describe the Garden of Eden or paradise on earth.

Gardens Of Eden

More FeaturesThe construction of garden may

have an emphasis either on nature or on structure, however the main thing this garden should allow is maximization of function.

The Persian gardens were built as a retreat from the harsh landscape.

These gardens are followed by modern-day garden, from the sanctuaries and hunting parks of 5th century B.C., 19th century magical nightingale gardens of Tehran, etc.

The Cyrus's garden had a geometrical plan and stone watercourses.

• A high surrounding wall• Straight tile-lined channels of water• Bubbling fountains• Trees for shade and fruit• A Pavilion or gazebo• Strong emphasis on flowers in beds and

pots

Common features of Persian gardens

What really distinguishes Persian garden from the gardens of other nations,

however, is the unique and intricate geometrical design that governs it. Square and

rectangle are the predominant shapes.

 Despite their precise spacing and order, Persian gardens

still manage to create a range of different spaces

within their main space by using various natural and man-made materials that differ in shapes and sizes. 

SQUARE AND RECTANGULAR LAYOUT

The Five Elements

There are five elements which contribute to the geometry of Persian gardens.

• Perspective (or visual expanse of the garden) -The greater length of the garden is where its most significant elements are situated. Known as the spine of the garden, this area helps to create a space for meditation and enjoyment from the day-to-day. Roads stretched into the horizon, brooks running to the end of the garden, little gardens within the main garden, the natural slope of the land and the difference in vision angle from different locations in the garden enriches the perspective of the space. Also, one of the main principles of Persian architecture is internalization and this is why gardens are walled and enclosed spaces.

Persian-style garden which was layed out in Haifa, Israel.

• Water Pathway -The main issue was to get water from distance points. For this purpose, Qanats and wells were dug and constructed in the heart of the garden. Water flowing from these points would run into well-spaced brooks and branch into different sections of the garden like water filled veins.

Fin Garden, Bagh-e Tarikhi-ye Fin. Kashan, Iran.

• Overall rectangular geometry of the garden -This shape made locating a precise place for planting trees and implementation of other structural elements much easier. It also helped to specifically frame a part of the earth by imposing a definite geometrical structure

An overall top view of Pasargadae at Cyrus’ time. Note the canal, water channels; the two rectangles are gardens.

• Symmetry - The granges in the garden were not only built symmetrical but were also situated symmetrically. Trees, shrubs and flowers were also planted this way.

• Centralization of certain structures –

This is manifest in placement of granges, particularly granges of the Hasht Behesth (eight paradises) design where granges are situated at the crossroads that divide the garden into different sections and therefore draw more attention

The walkways, garden and pools of the Taj Mahal, seen on top of the platform on which the mausoleum stood.

TYPES OF PERSIAN GARDENS

Formal • Hayat (public and private)• Meidan (public)• Char Bagh (private)

Casual• Bagh (private)• Park (public)

HAYAT (PUBLIC) Publicly, it is a classical

Persian layout with heavy emphasis on aesthetics over function.

 Man-made structures in the garden are particularly important, with arches and pools (which may be used to bathe).

The ground is often covered in gravel flagged with stone. Plantings are typically very simple - such as a line of trees, which also provide shade.

HAYAT(PRIVATE) Privately, these

gardens are often pool-centered and, again, structural.

 The pool serves as a focus and source of humidity for the surrounding atmosphere. There are few plants, often due to the limited water available in urban areas

MEIDAN• This is a public, formal

garden which emphasizes more on biotic elements than structure.

• Here we see bedding plants, trees, shrubs, grasses, etc.

• In this garden also the elements like gravel pathways, pools divide the lawns.

• The shade providing structures pavilions are also built.

CHAR BAGH• These gardens are

formal and private.• The garden structure

mainly consists of four quadrants divided by pathways and waterways.

• This garden has a balanced structure with proper pathways and greenery or plants around the periphery of the pool.

  Aram bagh garden at Agra

PARKS• These are casual parks

used for public functions.

• These are full of various plants.

• Here we see pathways and seating but these gardens are limited in terms of structural elements.

• The purpose of such

gardens is relaxation and socialization.

BAGH

• Like other casual gardens, it focuses on natural and green aspects of nature. • These gardens are often attached to houses consisting of trees, lawns and ground plants.• It gives less emphasis on waterways and pathways.• The primary aim is familial relaxation.

NATURAL ELEMENTS OF PERSIAN LANDSCAPING• The important Persian garden elements are

sunlight, shade, water, buildings.• These elements provide relaxation in

different manners such as spiritual, leisurely (e.g. meetings with friends) etc. which is the primary aim of Persian garden which is considered as a paradise on earth.

• The Persian gardens often connect internal yard gardens with the surrounding outward gardens.

SUNLIGHT• The important factor to be

considered while designing the Persian garden is sunlight and its effects in the garden.

• Architects arranged the samples and forms from the rays of light to restrain the sunlight.

• The specific textures and shapes were chosen by the experienced architects to harness the light

SHADE• Shade is also an important

element due to heat of Iran• The Persian gardens includes

trees, shrubs and trellises which work as biotic shades to provide protection from strong sunrays.

• In these gardens we can see large number of big shade trees, fruit and flower trees as well.

• Walls and pavilions are also important in blocking the harsh sunrays.

• Mostly cypress trees are found .

WATER

• In desert regions, there are many dry areas beside the many forests, therefore water comes as the next important element in the Persian garden.

• The underground water canals are built on slopes to facilitate either natural or the artificial flow of water (waterfalls).

• It is assumed that this style of irrigation is thousand years old.

• This style works in the best way and widely used even in modern gardening styles.

• For this purpose of moving water around the surface water systems.

• Trees are planted in a ditch called a jub, to prevent water evaporation and allow quick access of water to the tree roots.

BUILDINGS• In many of the Persian gardens, buildings of

splendour, brick works and pavilions are seen.• Here we also get to see the different structural

designs like royal palaces, mansions, temples, etc.• Iranian architects used to build domes on square

buildings very skilfully. • These enhance the beauty of these gardens.• In Persian gardens, beautiful arches were

constructed.• In front of many mansions and palaces of these

gardens, the water fountains were placed as the source of cool, peaceful atmosphere and pleasure.

• The beautiful types of glasses (e.g. stain glasses) were used for windows and other glass works.

Influence Of Persian Gardens In India

THE TAJ MAHAL

Gardens, as at the Taj, often formed an important accompaniment to architecture. Without these gardens, the splendors, visual impact and symbolism at the Taj Mahal would be greatly reduced.

The central water tank is a representation of the 'celestial pool of abundance' and the place where man met God. The corners of the marble pool are finely decorated with a cusped motif as shown here.

The Char Bagh Layout

The rectangular gardens, surrounded by a high red sandstone wall, follow the Persian chahar Bagh or 'four gardens' layout. Brought to India by the first Mughal Emperor Babar, himself a keen botanist, this layout frequently formed the plan of tomb layouts during the Imperial era, including Akbar's tomb at Sikandra as shown here.

Itmad-Ud-Daula’s Tomb: • The garden is on the

opposite bank of the River Yamuna to Agra's Red Fort. It is a classic tomb garden with stone-edged flower beds on the lawns. This is unlikely to have been the original planting pattern. The garden was designed by Nur Jahan for her father's tomb on the bank of the River Yamuna.  Situated in a garden amidst fountains, it has a square lower storey with four minarets in the four corners. 

The Zenana Garden At Fatehpur Sikri

Typical of Mughal gardens, it was reared in a char Bagh pattern, divided into four quarters by shallow water channels intersecting at right angle. There was a fishpond in the center of the garden. Niches were made in the northern wall for the lamps that illuminated it in night on festive and ceremonial occasions. There is a carved sloping stone slab on the southern side with fish scale to allow the smooth flow of water in the tank.

Some Examples Of Persian Gardens

FIN GARDEN, KASHAN(Char Bagh)

• It is also called as Bagh-e-Fin located in Kashan, Iran. • It is a historical Persian garden. The garden might

have its origin in Safavid period. • It was built near the village of Fin under the reign of

Abbas I of Persia (1571-1629). • The area of garden is 2.3 hectares consisting of a

main yard surrounded with four circular towers. • The fin garden is full of water features. • There was a spring behind the garden on the hillside

which was the main source of water for this garden. • In this place the water pressure was such that

fountains and pools could easily be constructed without the use of mechanical pumps.

• The garden contains many cypress trees

The plan is a sophisticated Char Bagh with grids of canals and paths.

The canals are lined with blue-green tiles, a colour which contrasts wonderfully with the desert outside the garden walls.

At Fin, all the channels are lined, sides and bottom, with blue faience tiles so that the very water seems bright and gay until it flows into one of the larger pools, lined with great trees

ERAM GARDEN(HAYAT)

Built during the middle of nineteenth century by the Ilkhanate or a paramount chief of the Qashqai tribes of Pars.

 The original layout of the garden however, with its quadripartite Persian paradise garden structure was most likely laid in eighteenth century by the Seljuqs.

Over its 150 years the structure has been modified, restored or stylistically changed by various participants. 

THANKYOU

Done By -

Alok Shankar

K S Vishnu

Barnini Bhowmick

Shravani Das