Indian Ambassador’s Garden (باغ سفیر هند)
The Indian Ambassador’s Garden (باغ سفیر هند) was a garden separated from the lands of the Mostowfi al-Mamalek Garden (باغ مستوفیالممالک) in Vanak.
The Mostowfi al-Mamalek Garden, a waqf garden belonging to Mirza Yusuf Mostowfi al-Mamalek (میرزا یوسف مستوفیالممالک), the renowned prime minister of Naser al-Din Shah, was well known in Vanak. This garden was also known as Bagh-e Laleh (باغ لاله) and Bagh-e Irani (باغ ایرانی) and contained the garden residence of Mirza Hasan Mostowfi al-Mamalek (میرزا حسن مستوفیالممالک), the son of Mirza Yusuf.
According to a registration report published in 1381 SH by the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage of Tehran Province, Mirza Yusuf Khan’s garden was originally very extensive, covering approximately 3.8 hectares. (Registration Report…, p. 3)
Later, the extensive lands of the garden were subdivided and separated from it—apparently by the heirs of Mirza Hasan Mostowfi al-Mamalek, or by others—and came into the ownership of various institutions and individuals:
Part of the southern grounds was converted into a public park (بوستان).
Khanom Pirouzan’s Garden (باغ خانم پیروزان), measuring 6,123 square meters, was located at the northeastern corner of the garden and is owned by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Dr. Zarrabi’s Garden (باغ دکتر ضرابی), measuring 6,000 square meters, was located in the eastern part of the garden and remains privately owned.
Indian Ambassador’s Garden (باغ سفیر هند), measuring 16,840 square meters, was located in the western part of the garden. It later came into the possession of Tamuchin Shahrokh (تموچین شاهرخ), a member of the family of Arbab Keykhosrow Shahrokh (ارباب کیخسرو شاهرخ) and a relative of Arbab Gashtasp Firouzgar (ارباب گشتاسب فیروزگر).
A garden belonging to the municipality occupied the southern frontage and has since been converted into a public park.
What currently remains in the ownership of the Mostowfi family is the central section of the garden, measuring 20,500 square meters. (Registration Report…, p. 3)
The main entrance to the garden is on its eastern side, on Saberi Street (خیابان صابری), while two other entrances are located on the northern and southern sides of the garden.
During the Naseri period, Vanak (ونک) was part of the Khaleseh Lands (املاک خالصه), that is, lands owned by the crown.
