MAKING AN OASIS, THE ANCIENT WAY

The charbagh (from the Persian chahar bagh) is the standard layout of the Islamic paradise garden. It is divided into four quarters by waterways or paths and invariably has water, either as a fountain or pool, at its centre. The four beds are often divided again into four, with another water feature in the centre.

Water is the single most important element and often rises from the centre, flowing down and around the garden in rills or channels. This water provides the luxury of coolness in a baking heat but also symbolises life – and is used to irrigate the plants.

The movement of water was extremely sophisticated across the ancient Muslim world, ranging from the system of qanats in Persia where underground channels carried water from springs and aquifers by gravity, to the extraordinary hydro-

engineering in Morocco which brought water to Marrakech from the distant Atlas mountains.

Each of the four beds in a paradise garden is usually sunken – often by as much as 6ft. Traditionally these were planted with fruit trees, which would be arranged as single species orchards, underplanted with flowers such as tulips and irises. Because the sunken beds were so deep, the tops of the fruit trees would be at head height so the fragrance of the blossom and the fruit would be within easy reach.

Unlike European gardens that are chiefly designed for walking in, the charbaghs were not intended as busy places. They were retreats where you could sit still in the cool shade and listen to the murmuring of the water.