Gulab Bagh and Zoo, Rose garden, urban park and zoo in Udaipur, India.
Gulab Bagh, also called Sajjan Niwas Garden, covers 100 acres (40 ha) in central Udaipur. It holds a lotus pond, a zoological park, temples, government offices and the Saraswati Library. Four masonry gates pierce a 3–5 m boundary wall of concrete, stone and brick; two gates are open to the public.
Gulab Bagh, also called Sajjan Niwas Garden, was laid out under Maharana Fateh Singh in 1887, and the Madras horticulturist T.H. Story was appointed in 1882 to stock it with medicinal plants, working there until 1920. Maharana Sajjan Singh laid the foundation stone of the Victoria Museum, now the Saraswati Bhawan Library, on 2 November 1890. The garden was also known as Bada Bagh, a name that fell out of use.
The Saraswati Bhawan Library holds ancient manuscripts and objects that tell stories of Rajasthani heritage and literature. Visitors can explore how these collections reflect the learning and artistic traditions of the region.
The park is open daily for visitors and offers pathways that lead through various zones. Good walking shoes help when exploring the many sections and routes across the large grounds.
The garden's old pond once held a Victoria water lily whose leaves could support a child seated on a chair, thanks to the plant's structure. The pond was later demolished to build a water works complex. The garden also had a ranch where roses grew in abundance, the source of its name.
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