The Mughal Garden in Delhi University's North Campus has been officially renamed as the "Gautam Buddha Centenary Garden." The change of name was made on January 27 and was based on the fact that the garden does not have a Mughal design, news agency PTI reported.
The PTI report quoted an official, who wished to remain unnamed, as saying that the decision to change the name came after a prolonged discussion with the university's Garden Committee. The official said that the garden was neither built by the Mughals nor does it have the design of a traditional Mughal garden, which typically features canals, pools, fountains, waterfalls, and fruit and flower trees. The official stated that many botanists and people with knowledge of gardens have pointed this out.
The official also highlighted that the timing of the name change was due to the university's plans to host a flower show in March and that they wanted to prepare brochures and pamphlets for the show. The recommendation for the change in name was sent to the Vice Chancellor 15 days prior to the change, and it was merely a coincidence that the Mughal Garden name was also changed.
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"The competent authority of the University of Delhi has approved the name of the garden (opposite the Vice Regal Lodge) with the statue of Gautam Buddha in its centre as Gautam Buddha Centenary Garden," Registrar Vikas Gupta said in a notification dated January 27.
Rashtrapati Bhavan has also changed the name of its Mughal Gardens to "Amrit Udyan." Designed by British architect Edwin Lutyens, the gardens are spread over 15 acres and feature over 150 varieties of flowers, including roses, tulips, lilies, and daffodils. The gardens are open to the public once a year, and this year they will be open starting January 31.
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Overall, the renaming of the Mughal Garden in Delhi University's North Campus as the "Gautam Buddha Centenary Garden" and the Rashtrapati Bhavan's Mughal Gardens to "Amrit Udyan" highlights the importance of considering the cultural significance of historical sites and monuments. It is essential to acknowledge their cultural background, design, and features in order to preserve the heritage and history of these sites for future generations.
