From the story of the tulip’s ancient origins to the stunning gardens of Kashmir, tulips have long been symbols of beauty and love.
By Mool Raj
Tulips in their many varieties greet visitors, offering a colorful spectacle at every turn. Yet, it is the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, perched serenely above the iconic Dal Lake, that truly captures the essence of beauty and tranquility. This garden, which opens its gates to the public each spring, is nothing short of a marvel. Spanning an impressive 30 hectares, it stands as one of the largest tulip gardens in Asia. Within its expansive grounds, more than 1.5 million tulips bloom in a stunning array of colors—red, yellow, pink, white, and purple—transforming the garden into a visual delight that draws tourists from around the world. Meanwhile, the Sanasar Tulip Garden, covering 5 acres, boasts 300,000 tulip bulbs of over 25 different varieties, further adding to the region’s charm.
Local poet Mohammad Peer beautifully encapsulates the enchanting allure of the tulips, saying, “The fragrance of tulips in the air, makes one forget all worries and care.”
The origins of tulips in Kashmir can be traced back to Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, who is believed to have introduced these flowers to the region. In his famous memoir, Baburnama, he makes reference to the tulip. Babur likely brought the flowers from Afghanistan, where they were cherished, just as he introduced other plants such as melons and grapes to the Indian subcontinent.
In Afghanistan, tulips are deeply symbolic, representing love and purity—values central to Afghan culture. Although the poppy is Afghanistan’s national symbol, the tulip was designated the national flower due to its profound significance.
While tulips are often associated with the Netherlands, their roots extend much deeper into history. Cultivation of tulips began in Persia as early as the 13th century, and from there, tulips spread across the globe, with their iconic colors and shapes capturing the hearts of people everywhere. The first known depiction of a tulip was found on a tile from the palace of Sultan Al?ad-D?n Kayqub?d bin Kayk?v?s, who ruled Persia from 1220 to 1237 AD. Interestingly, the word “tulip” is derived from the Persian word for “turban,” which refers to the flower’s shape. In the language of flowers, tulips carry deep meanings: yellow tulips symbolize hopeless love, while white ones convey the need for forgiveness.
Tulips also hold an esteemed place in Iranian culture, dating back to ancient times. They are a common sight during Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which has been celebrated for over 3,000 years to mark the arrival of spring. During this time, Iranians often sing, “This spring be your good luck, the tulip fields be your joy.” In a poignant legend from sixth-century Iran, the young prince Farhad, heartbroken by the news of his beloved Shirin’s death, plunged off a cliff in his despair. However, it was later revealed that Shirin had not died, but rather had been the victim of a malicious rumor. According to the legend, where Farhad’s blood touched the earth, a red tulip bloomed—symbolizing eternal love.
The tulip’s cultural significance only grew over time, and it became a symbol of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran. The revolution’s martyrs were honored with the image of a red tulip, which also adorned billboards and stamps. Even Ayatollah Khomeini’s tomb is marked with tulips, and the flowers are frequently used in public commemorations. Ironically, the tulip later became a symbol for the opposition movement following the disputed 2009 presidential election. The Green Movement, which protested the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, adopted the tulip as a symbol of hope and resistance, as millions of Iranians took to the streets.
Meanwhile, in the Ottoman Empire, which flourished for over 600 years, tulips became emblematic of the empire’s cultural sophistication. Tulips were cultivated in abundance, alongside other flowers like violets, roses, and saffron crocus. During the reign of Sultan Ahmet III (1718–1730), tulips enjoyed a period of immense popularity, known as the “Tulip Period.” This era was marked by peace and prosperity, and tulip cultivation reached new heights, with some bulbs fetching extraordinary prices. As the sultans cultivated their gardens, tulips became a central motif in Ottoman art, appearing on everything from fabrics and carpets to tombstones and weapons.
The tulip’s story in Europe begins in the 16th century. Anna Pavord, author of The Story of a Flower that Made Men Mad, recounts the tulip’s introduction to Europe in 1559. By the 1580s, tulips were prized possessions of the Dutch elite, who cultivated them in their private gardens. In the early 1600s, tulips became a symbol of speculation during the infamous Tulip Mania of 1637. At the height of the craze, rare tulip bulbs were sold for prices that far exceeded the average person’s annual income. This market bubble eventually burst, becoming a cautionary tale about the dangers of speculation. Despite the crash, the Netherlands remains the world’s largest producer of tulips to this day.
In Kashmir, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar and the Sanasar Tulip Garden in Jammu have become major tourist attractions. The breathtaking beauty of Srinagar’s Tulip Garden is unparalleled, not only because of the wide variety of tulips on display but also because of the garden’s idyllic location, where cool breezes sweep down from the hills. The garden’s meticulously designed sections feature unique varieties such as Strong Gold, Margarita, Candela, Kung Fu, Early Harvest, and Ile de France. Tulips are among the first flowers to bloom after the long winter in Kashmir and Jammu, and the blossoms remain vibrant for just three to five weeks, depending on the weather.
The scene at the garden evokes a moment from the Bollywood classic Silsila (1981), where the lyrics “Dekha Ek Khwab To Yeh Silsilay Hue, Door Tak Nigahoun Main Thay Gul Khilay Hue” were filmed amidst the tulip fields of the Keukenhof in the Netherlands. Now, the UT’s Tulip Garden awaits the next Bollywood director to capture its mesmerizing beauty on film.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of this Magazine. The author can be reached at [email protected]
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