HISTORY OF GARDENING IN INDIA

 Dominance of flowering plants- Cenzoic Age(60-70 million years ago)

 According to Vavilov, Indo-Malaya region – Important centre of origin of plants.
 Many flowering plants strictly native of India: orchids, rhododendrons, muskrose(Rosa
moschata), balsam(Impatiens balsamia), primula(Primula dentoculata).
 Trees: Sita ashoka(Saraca indica), Pipal(Ashoka religiosa), Banyan(Ficus benghalensis),
amaltas(Cassia fistula), Kadamba(Neuclea cadamba), neem, arjun tree, etc.
 Shrubs: Bela(Jasminum sambac), Pili Chameli(J.humile),etc.

 History of systematic gardening in India – civilization of Indus of harappan (2500 BC-

1750BC)
 The tree of Pipal(Ficus religiosa) and banyan(Ficus benghalensis); planted for worship as
well as for shade.
 Aryans-1600 BC. Named their kids after the flowers like Kamal, Champa, Madhvi, Bela,
Chandni, Rukmani, etc. The forests of sal(Shorea robusta) and flame of the forst(Butea
monosperma) were admired by them.
 Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi- associated with Lotus.
 Lord Krishna- Kadamba.

 Buddha- 563 BC- Ashoka at Lumbini in the grove of sal. The trees of palash were also
there.
 Buddhists monks beautified their monasteries and vihars by planting trees and other
flowering plants.
 Planting of trees alongside the roads was intensified by Emperor Ashoka after
embracing Buddhist religion.

GARDENING DURING EPIC ERA

 Detailed account of Lord Rama’s life and the status of gardening at that time-
mentioned by Valmiki and Tulsidas.
 MAHABHARAT, by Saint Vyasa- Kadamba,etc.
 Great poet Kalidas- Ashoka, Kalpvriksha, Shirish flower, Devdaru, Butea monosperma,
lotus, lilies, etc.
 Vatsayana(300-400 AD)- described four types of gardens which were made for kings,
queens, courtiers and ministers.
 GARDENING DURING EPIC ERA
 Babur- 1525, made gardens at Panipat and Agra. Aram Bagh at Agra is still maintained
by the Archaeological Department.
 Mogul Gardens- synonymous with formal style of garden.
 Mogul Gardens, two categories:
1. Pleasure gardens of kings and queens.
2. Tomb Gardens.
 Sher Shah Suri- made grand trunk road, planted shady trees on both sides of the road.
 Akbar- made Fatehpur Sikri(Agra) and Tomb Garden,Sikandra(Agra).
 Famous gardens built: Shalimar, acbhalbal, Varinag(Kashmir), Dilkusha Garden at Lahore
 Fadai Khan- Pinjore.

BRITISH PERIOD
 King Hyder Ali- established Lal Bagh garden in Bangalore. Plants were imported from
Mauruitius.
 Maharaja Ranjit Singh – made an impressive garden at Amritsar.
 Britishers’ memorable gift to Indian gardens was making of herbaceous border and
lawn.
1. Introduction of exotic plants from England.
2. Establishment of Royal-agri-Horticulture societies and botanical gardens.
3. Compilation of local flora of different regions.
 Colorful annuals were introduced by Britishers.
 The utilization of Indian flora in European gardens were also done in a big way.

POST INDEPENDENCE PERIOD

 Radical changes in the field of ornamental gardening.

 Several gardens laid out at different cities to provide active and passive recreational
facilities and to improve the environment. Main features of these gardens are
undulating grassy lawns, serpentine pathways and colorful plant material.
 Landscaping of public and private buildings- became an integral part of planning.
 State Departments like Urban Development, Archaeological and Tourism, actively
busy by conscious planning and planting. Green belts are being provided in industrial
towns.
 The cut flower trade in big cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, New
Delhi, Pune, Ludhiana, etc. have developed tremendously.
 Nine research stations in different agro-climatic zones are actively engaged in
solving various problems of commercially grown flowers.