Farah Bagh which is also known as Faria Bagh is a grand palace in Maharashtra, noted as the playing abode for the Sultans of Maharashtra.
Location of Farah Bagh
Farah Bagh is located in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra.
History of Farah Bagh
The Nizam Shahi of Ahmednagar rulers built Farah Bagh in Ahmednagar District. Farah Bagh was the focus of a huge regal compound finished in the year 1583. It was the distinct belongings of the royal family and Murtaza Nizam Shah often stayed here when he used to play chess with a singer from Delhi known as Fateh Shah and also constructed a separate palace for him in the garden, known as Lakad Mahal.
Architecture of Farah Bagh
The ruins of Farah Bagh are situated nearly two miles south-east of the town of Ahmednagar. It is a wonderful structure located in the middle of what used to be a lake which is usually dry now except during the monsoons. The palace had been initiated for Burhan Nizam Shah I (1508-1553) as advocated by two of his nobles Changiz Khan and Salabat Khan I. Nyamat Khan was the well-known artisan to whom the job was assigned. Burhan Nizam Shah did not like the design and masonry work as he had been instigated by his popular minister Shah Tahir. Shah Tahir was an enemy of Nyamatkhan. So Burham Nizam ordered for it to be pulled down and re-built. The job was then delegated to Salabatkhan I. While the work was in progress, Salabat Khan I died. The great Salabat II, nephew of Salabat Khan, eventually finished the construction in A. D. 1583.
Sultana Chand Bibi also occasionally stayed in Farah Bagh. It was also a favourite place of residence of Murtaza Nizam Shah. After the passing away of Burhan Nizam Shah and his minister Shah Tahir, it is believed that the palace was built by Nyamat Kahn in A.D. 1576.
Design of Farah Bagh
Farah Bagh is designed as the principal octagonal palace. It is now in ruins and excluding a ridge, no sign of the pond is there. Amid this lawn and the city are seventy roofs and forty mosques said to have enclosed the graves of many of the royal beloveds. The construction of the flat-roofed upper storey of the octagonal palace is such that one could view the entire central hall from there. A thirty feet high dome exists in the central hall. The monument has a diameter of about 250 feet which includes an outer platform running all around. This platform is about twenty-five feet wide. Rough stone and lime masonry are the main materials of the palace, which are plastered inside and outside with stucco. The Bhingar aqueduct used to feed a pond around the palace which was about seventeen feet deep and 150 feet wide. A fine garden was made around 500 yards of the pond and even today there are clumps of wood apple, mango and tamarind trees around. Within the Farah Bagh there located the Cavalry Tank Museum. It houses 48 tanks, self-propelled guns, specialist vehicles and armoured cars which bear witness to the wars fought the world over. Farah Bagh Museum stands amid the scenic beauty and silently narrates the tales of battles and wars.
Visiting Information
Farah Bagh has wonderful garden that can be visited anytime of the year. During the monsoon season, the rains make the garden even more beautiful with the entire flora and fauna in full bloom. The nearest big city near Farah Bagh is Ahmednagar, in the state of Maharashtra. One would have to travel by road from Aurangabad airport located about 110 kms away. Aurangabad airport unites Ahmednagar and hence Farah Bagh to numerous additional towns and cities. From Aurangabad one would have to travel to Farah Bagh by car or bus. To get to Farah Bagh from Mumbai, take the train to Daund Junction from Dadar station, Mumbai. From Daund there are several trains to Ahmednagar, where Farah Bagh is located. One would have to take State Highway 60 and then change onto State Highway 10.
