The iconic gardens at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi, which were previously known as the Mughal Gardens, will now be referred to as “Amrit Udyan”. This name change was announced by President Draupadi Murmu as part of the “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” celebrations, marking 75 years of India’s independence. According to the deputy press secretary to the President, Navika Gupta, the gardens will be open to the public from January 31 to March 26, with specific days reserved for differently-abled individuals, farmers, and women.
The official website of Rashtrapati Bhavan has provided information on the newly named Amrit Udyan. “Spread over a vast expanse of 15 acres, Amrit Udyan has often been portrayed, and deservedly so, as the soul of the Presidential Palace,” it reads. “The gardens draw inspiration from the Mughal Gardens of Jammu and Kashmir, the gardens around the Taj Mahal, and even miniature paintings of India and Persia.”
The website also notes that the designs for the gardens were finalized by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1917, but it was not until 1928-1929 that the plantings were done. Lutyens worked closely with the Director of Horticulture, William Mustoe, to blend the Mughal and English horticulture traditions, creating a unique blend of Mughal canals, terraces, and flowering shrubs with European flowerbeds, lawns, and private hedges.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra praised the government’s decision, stating that it was necessary to “come out of ‘slavery mentality’ in ‘Amritkal’ (golden era).” Many other BJP leaders also supported the name change, with BJP MP Devesh Kumar tweeting, “Symbol of slavery eliminated!”
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