ABSTRACT
This chapter examines some of the ways in which the theories and practices of astrology and magic current in the medieval Deccan affected how gardens were designed, used, enjoyed, and understood. It focuses on catarchic astrology, which is the determination of whether or not a particular moment is suitable for the commencement of a particular act. In order to consider how astrology impinged on the garden culture of the Deccan, the chapter provides an analysis of an event that took place in the kingdom of Ahmadnagar in the reign of Murtaza Nizam Shah. The Nujum al-‘Ulum was written by the king of Bijapur, ‘Ali ‘Adil Shah I. According to both the fihrist and the introduction, ‘Ali ‘Adil Shah also intended the Nujum al-‘Ulum to include a specific chapter on gardens with ‘a description and account of sowing seeds and gardening, the eastern wind and medicines for pests.’.
