AnaSagar Lake is an artificial lake situated in the city of Ajmer in Rajasthan state in India
This beautiful artificial lake was built in the 12th century and named after Anaji Chauhan. The ‘Baradari’ (or Pavillion) was built by Mughal Emperor, Shahjehan. The huge embankment is a fine example of the corporate life in Ajmer at that time.
The lake is spread over 13 kms. There is a Circuit House on a hill near the lake that used to be British Residency. There is an Island in the centre of the lake which is accessible by boat. Boats could be hired from the east side of the Daulat Bagh. There are Chowpatty and Jetty walkway next to each other and Baradari to capture the scenic of the lake. The lake is biggest one in Ajmer, with the maximum catchments area(5 square km built up area). The maximum depth of lake is 4.4m with storage capacity of 4.75 million cubic metre. The Rajasthan High Court has balanced construction in the catchments areas of the lake basins. This is one of the most beautiful lakes in India.
The Marble Pavilions, locally known as Baradari, were erected by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in AD 1637 over a large embankment of Anasagar Bund of Arnoraja (AD 1135-50), the grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan. There are five pavilions and a hamam (royal bath). The third pavilion is the largest and built on the pattern of diwan-e-khas (private audience hall) in Red Fort, Delhi. The ground below the embankment known as Daulat Bagh lay out by Jahangir (AD 1605-28) which formed a royal pleasure garden of the Mughal emperors. During British time, these pavilions were used as dwelling house of the Commissioner of Ajmer and his officers with additions and alterations. These structures were restored in its original condition by dismantling and removing the additional constructions.
