Disembark at the Delhi University Metro Station and
start walking towards the Kamla market. Take the lonely pathway near the
clock tower and it will take you to sprawling Roshanara Garden. This
garden is still counted among the best Mughal gardens in India although
it has lost much of its past grandeur. This is said that princess
Roshanara, daughter of emperor Shah Jahan, laid this garden in the year
1650. Roshanara had enough money at her disposal to commission a garden
like that; after all she was the most loved sister of emperor Aurangzeb.
The most important part of the Roshanara Park is Baradari or the Tomb
of Roshanara. This is situated in the very middle of the garden and can
be accessed from all the sides. Four pathways approach the main
pavilion, one from each side. Though the tomb is in dilapidated
condition at present, it looked grand in the past. The structure is
roofless and has Mughal Naqqashi and Jaali work on every facet, though
most of it has withered away in time. The interior of the hall was
beautifully decorated with paintings, some of which can be seen even
today on the ceilings of the hall. The courtyard was opened from one
side only and had separate apartments built, possibly for guards. Mughal
style fountains from each side surround the main building.
You will notice the British intrusion as you take a walk around the
main building. The place served as summer retreat in colonial era, due
to its location amidst dense ridge forest. In the year 1875, Andrews
Cracroft, the then Commissioner of Delhi significantly altered the
garden. He ordered to raze down all the buildings except the tomb, the
northern gateway and the eastern tank. In 1923, a club was established
on the Victorian format to serve the Anglo-Saxon elite of the city.
Still considered one of the most prestigious clubs in Delhi, Roshanara
club has a very beautiful cricket ground in its campus. Don't miss to
spend sometime with urchins, playing cricket.


