Mughal-era icon makes comeback

Date trees in Dilkusha Bagh fetch up to Rs0.5m at annual auctions

BHAKKAR:

The restoration project of Bhakkar's historical Dilkusha Bagh is underway. The Dilkusha Bagh is a remnant of the Mughal era.

The garden is as beautiful today as it was in the past despite the passage of a very long time.

The renovation project includes more items for children's entertainment besides other features of entertainment. Work on the park’s boundary wall, waterfall and the arrangement of lights is progressing well.

Rare types of date, Java plums and hundreds-of-years-old banyan trees add to the enjoyment of the visitors.

The total area of Dilkusha Bagh is five acres now. Originally the garden covered an area of over 67 acres.

Currently, the garden covers an area of only five acres with trees of dates, which fetches up to Rs500,000 in annual auctions. The remaining 64 acres of land is given to the local people for cultivation at the rate of hundreds of thousands of rupees every year. But this historic amusement park is not being given the attention it deserves.

Dilkusha Bagh retained its splendor all through the centuries since its establishment until the year 1982. After that year, the garden declined due to lack of proper maintenance.

The garden was not given any attention by the officials in the past.

The Commissioner of Sargodha Division, Maryam Khan, took steps to make Dilkusha Bagh regain its lost splendor.

The commissioner was briefed by officials concerned about the plan for the restoration of the garden.

Deputy Commissioner Imran Hussain Ranjha was also present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18^th, 2022.