Gulab Bagh or Sajjan Niwas Garden is a huge ancient public garden in the heart of Udaipur, Rajasthan. The most extensive garden in the city, sprawling over an area of around 100 acres, is a loved green oasis in the desert. The name “Gulab Bagh” may literally mean “Rose Garden,” because of the great variety and abundance of roses that bloom here. Other than floral beauty, the complex is a microcosm of history, education, and recreation with a historic library, a religious centre and what was once one of the oldest zoos in the Indian subcontinent. It remains a famous destination for leisurely hikes, family picnics, and quiet retreat into nature.

History of Gulab Bagh And Zoo

The late 19^th century saw the origin of Gulab Bagh, when Maharana Sajjan Singh from the Mewar Dynasty ruled from 1874 to 1884. This garden was built with a vision of a quiet green haven for his people. The foundation stone of the museum was laid in Victorian style, serving as the library today, and the garden complex opened shortly thereafter.

Maharana Sajjan Singh took personal care of the design, having in mind a wide range of vegetables, including those with medicinal value. He commissioned Mr T.H. Story, a garden expert from Madras, to stock and manage the gardens. Story brought many exotic species of trees, shrubs, and herbs from all parts of India and the British colonies.

The Gulab Bagh Zoo came along shortly after in 1878. This makes it one of the fourth or sixth, depending on the source, oldest zoos in the subcontinent. It initially served as an annexe to the Shikarkhana or hunting department of the Mewar State, with scores of native and exotic animals, and was a source of entertainment for the royal family, including staged animal fights. After India’s independence, the Forest Department maintained the Zoo.

The criteria for conservation also changed during 2004 and 2015; the animals from the old Gulab Bagh Zoo were given a new shelter built in Sajjangarh Biological Park. It is also known as the Monsoon Palace, to accommodate the Central Zoo Authority’s standard of enlarged cages. The old zoo was laboriously transformed into a modern Bird Park in 2016, with new life breathed into the historic place.

The other historical relic in the park is the Saraswati Bhawan Library, which once housed the Victoria Hall Museum. It was Rajasthan’s first museum, opening in 1890. The main collection of the museum was later shifted and renamed, but the building still contains a huge library with rare manuscripts, ancient volumes on archaeology and history. It maintains a rich literary heritage.

Flora At Gulab Bagh

As the name suggests, the defining feature of Gulab Bagh is its rich collection of roses – hundreds of varieties that color and perfume the garden, specifically during the winter season. Beyond its roses, the garden is an outstanding botanical resource, with a large variety of trees, shrubs and ornamental plants, many of which are imported. Botanical diversity includes:

Fruit trees include a huge range of mangoes, guavas, lemons, mulberries, pomegranates, bananas, sapota, tamarind, and lychees.

Medicinal and Decorative plants that have been supplied earlier. The medicinal plants like camphor, citron, and arjun trees, besides ornamental plants like Bougainvillaea.

Acupressure Park contains tethered tiles believed to enhance blood circulation with pathways, lined by medicinal and Ayurvedic flora.

Fauna At Gulab Bagh

The usual zoo animals were relocated, but the facility was indeed transformed into the Gulab Bagh Bird Park. The committed bird park is oriented towards conservation and education, enabling one to watch a variety of birds in their specially designed cages. The highlights include:

Exotic species include brightly colored parrots, macaws, sulphur-crested cockatoos and several parakeets.

Flightless birds include the emu and the ostrich.

Aquatic birds, nocturnal birds, barn owls, and Eurasian eagle owls.

Things to do at Gulab Bagh and Zoo –

Take a walk in the rose gardens, shady paths offer a view of the well-managed rose beds and other varied flora.

Toy Train Ride from Luv Kush Railway Station offers an enticing mini-train ride that chugs along a fantastic track circling a major part of the park. One of the favorite playful activities of kids and one of the best ways for grown-ups to explore the park grounds.

Visiting the Bird Park allows one to see, up close, the colorful and rarely seen avian species that inhabit this area in its modern enclosures.

The cool asylum of academics and historians is at Saraswati Bhawan Library, located in this building once comprised a range of texts on history in manuscripts and book form.

Navlakha Mahal is an edifice within the garden where meditation can be performed; it has become a place of religious importance for the Arya Samaj Community for spiritual introspection.

Picnicking at Gulab Bagh’s large lawns and shady places provides an excellent spot for family picnics and day trips.

Places to visit near Gulab Bagh and Zoo –

The central location of Gulab Bagh is near the ancient city area, which makes for quick access to many major attractions:

City Palace is a short drive away, lies this historic palace complex gives a stunning view of Lake Pichola.

Doodh Talai Lake and ropeway comprise a peaceful park, Manik Lal Verma Park, besides a ropeway that goes upwards to the Karni Mata Temple and offers panoramic city views.

Lake Pichola is a beautiful lake that defines Udaipur, ideal for boat trips and sunset viewing.

Jagdish Temple is an impressive, huge Hindu temple, entirely devoted to Lord Vishnu, famous for its detailing carvings.

The Vintage Collection of Classic Cars Museum, which lies near the City Palace, showcases an excellent collection of antique and classic vehicles previously owned by the Mewar Maharanas.

Entry Timing: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Entry Fee:

Garden Entry: ₹25 per person

Zoo Entry: ₹5 per person

Camera Fee: ₹15 (Only for the Zoo)

Conclusion –

Gulab Bagh and Zoo form a timeless jewel in Udaipur’s crown. It blends historical architecture and royal heritage with environmental preservation and public leisure. More than just a memorial to Maharana Sajjan Singh’s vision, it is a living and breathing refuge where history, environment, and community life come together, promising a quiet and enriching experience to its visitors.