The correct option is A square, walled garden divided into four by intersecting water channels..
Explanation
The Charbagh (literally "four gardens") is a Persian-style garden layout that became a defining feature of Mughal architecture in India. It is based on the Islamic concept of Paradise (Jannat), which is described as a garden traversed by four rivers.
Detailed Analysis
- A garden layout with a single central water channel. is incorrect: A layout with a single central water channel does not constitute a Charbagh. The defining characteristic is the intersection of axes to create partitions.
- A square, walled garden divided into four by intersecting water channels. is correct: The Charbagh structure consists of a square or rectangular walled garden divided into four equal quadrants by two intersecting water channels or walkways. The intersection often features a central pool, fountain, or pavilion (or a tomb, as seen in Humayun's Tomb and the Taj Mahal).
- A terrace garden arranged in ascending levels. is incorrect: While some Mughal gardens (like the Nishat Bagh in Kashmir) are terraced, the term 'Charbagh' specifically refers to the quadrilateral division on a plane, not the vertical arrangement of terraces.
- A circular garden surrounding a central tomb. is incorrect: The Charbagh layout is geometrically square or rectangular, not circular.
Key Takeaway:
The Charbagh style is characterized by a quadrilateral garden layout divided into four equal parts by intersecting water channels or pathways, symbolizing the four rivers of Paradise.