146 GARDENS OF THE PLAINS LAHORE 



fountains which were differently treated, the 

 water rising from within large shallow basins set 

 below the level of the surrounding masonry. 



On the east wall of the Shalimar Bagh, facing 

 the central tank, are the royal bathrooms, and 

 the four, canals of the upper terrace each lead 

 to a large pavilion; so that the gardens were 

 fully equipped for a royal residence whenever the 

 Emperor chose to visit Lahore. Within compara- 

 tively recent times the Sikh ruler Sher Singh held 

 his Court in, the largest of these buildings. His 

 audience room can still be seen. It opens into 

 a small garden square outside the main walls. 



The most noticeable features on the lowest 

 terrace are the two gateways decorated with fine 

 enamelled tiles. The one in the west wall opens 

 directly on to the old road from the fort, and 

 was originally the principal entrance, for, like 

 nearly all the Mughal baghs, the Shalimar was 

 approached from the lowest terrace, and the 

 topmost level, cut off by a high retaining wall 

 with towers at the corners, was reserved for the 

 private use of the zenana ladies. 



This was a custom which added greatly to 

 the charm of these terraced water gardens, for 

 while the full effect of the white splashing cas- 



