Aam Khas Bagh

Aam Khas Bagh was established in the 16th century during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar, planned by architect Hafiz Rakhna to serve as an imperial highway inn (*caravanserai*) along the Grand Trunk Road connecting Delhi and Lahore. The complex was situated at Sirhind, a major commercial and administrative capital of Mughal Punjab. Later, Emperor Shah Jahan substantially rebuilt and expanded the site, constructing elaborate royal quarters, domed bastions, and sophisticated water channels adorned with fountains.

The complex was divided into two distinct sections: the *Aam* (public area) for common travelers and troops, and the *Khas* (private royal enclosure) reserved exclusively for the Mughal Emperor, royal family, and high nobles during imperial processions between Delhi, Lahore, and Kashmir. Key surviving structures include the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors), Daulat Khana-e-Khas, Sard Khana (a unique underground summer palace cooled by water channels), and a royal hammam (bathhouse).

Following the decline of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century, Sirhind witnessed intense military conflicts between Sikh forces, Afghan invaders, and Mughal governors. The complex eventually fell into disuse under British rule. In 2012, Aam Khas Bagh was placed on the World Monuments Fund Watch List, recognizing its immense historical importance and triggering ongoing preservation efforts by Punjab Tourism.

The ghost stories and local legends surrounding Aam Khas Bagh draw upon its centuries of royal Mughal grandeur, courtly entertainment, and subsequent wartime decay. Local oral tradition holds that the ruined Sheesh Mahal and Sard Khana remain haunted by the spirits of Mughal court dancers, musicians, and royal guards whose lives were intertwined with the imperial court during the height of the Mughal dynasty in Punjab.

According to popular local folklore, on quiet moonlit nights, visitors and night watchmen can hear the faint, melismatic sounds of sitar music and the rhythmic jingling of anklets (*ghungroo*) echoing across the ruined water channels, as if a ghostly royal court performance is taking place in the empty gardens. Local elders tell stories of royal courtiers seen strolling through the arched verandas clad in historical silk garments, vanishing into thin air when approached by curious night travelers.

Another widespread legend speaks of secret subterranean escape tunnels (*surangs*) leading from the Sard Khana to distant forts across Punjab, which are said to be guarded by ancient *djinns* protecting hidden Mughal gold, royal jewels, and historic relics from intruders. Local stories also warn that entering these unlit subterranean passages without spiritual reverence brings bad luck, disorientation, or severe misfortune upon trespassers who venture too far into the dark ruins after dark without official permission or local guidance.

Tourists, local residents, and groundskeepers at Aam Khas Bagh have documented various subtle paranormal reports over the years. The most frequently reported phenomenon is hearing soft, disembodied classical music, sitar melodies, and anklet sounds near the Sheesh Mahal and Sard Khana during dusk and early morning hours when no visitors or sound equipment are present.

Visitors exploring the underground chambers of the Sard Khana report experiencing sudden, drastic drops in temperature, accompanied by the distinct scent of rose water, sandalwood, or attar perfume wafting through empty stone rooms where no perfumes are stored.

Night watchmen patrolling the 4-meter-high perimeter walls report seeing shadowy figures standing atop the domed corner bastions, looking out over the old Grand Trunk Road route. Local groundskeepers also report feeling gentle, unseen draughts brushing past them in closed arched corridors and hearing soft whispers in Persian and Urdu near the ancient bathhouse ruins late at night.

Aam Khas Bagh is a sprawling 179 m by 122 m rectangular garden complex enclosed by 4-meter-high fortified brick walls adorned with serrated battlements and octagonal corner bastions surmounted by domed pavilions. Built with red lakhori brick, lime plaster, and terracotta water pipes, the site represents classic Mughal garden architecture (*charbagh* layout).

The layout features a central quadrangle, a long central water channel with carved stone fountains, a large artificial lake, and historic royal structures including the Sheesh Mahal, Daulat Khana-e-Khas, Nakar Khana (orchestra house), and the famous Sard Khana (underground summer cool house). Surrounding green lawns and mature trees give the historic ruins an atmospheric, serene, and slightly eerie appearance.

Aam Khas Bagh is located along the Grand Trunk Road in Sirhind, Fatehgarh Sahib district, Punjab. It lies roughly 5 km from Sirhind Junction Railway Station and about 45 km from Chandigarh/Mohali International Airport. The site is open daily to the public during daylight hours with free admission.

The complex is easily accessible via auto-rickshaws, taxis, or state transport buses from Chandigarh, Patiala, or Ludhiana. Visitors can explore the manicured lawns, ruined palace arches, and historic bathhouses safely on foot. Sturdy walking shoes are recommended. Visiting during daytime or early dusk allows tourists to appreciate the rich Mughal heritage, water channels, and tranquil garden atmosphere.

Aam Khas Bagh's haunted reputation is built upon the poetic nostalgia of decaying Mughal royal splendor. The combination of ancient underground chambers (*Sard Khana*), ruined mirror palaces, and centuries of royal court history naturally inspires romantic local ghost stories of phantom musicians, court dancers, and ancient imperial guards that captivate modern travelers, history lovers, and local folklore enthusiasts across Punjab.