LUCKNOW THE CITY OF NAWABS

Chota Imambara is the landmark of Lucknow. This monument is also known as Husseinabad Imambara in Lucknow as this place was the office of the erstwhile Husseinabad trust that owned the city once. Chota Imambara is an imposing monument located in the Old City area of Lucknow close to Chowk.

The story of Imambara is no less interesting than the Imambara itself. It happened once in early 19th century that a persistent famine engulfed Oudh. That famine broke the backs of lower strata and agriculture labors. The then Nawab of Awadh named Muhammad Ali Shah commissioned Chota Imambara under ‘Food for Work’ program initiated to bring respite for the city populace. The monument that was erected in order to serve as the mausoleum for Muhammad Ali Shah got completed in the year 1837. Chota Imambara is also sometimes referred as ‘The Palace of Light’ in British History Chronicles because its decorations during festive season.

Lucknow University

Rumi Darwaza or The Turkish Gate

Towards the west of the Imambara is the Rumi Darwaza or the Turkish Gate built by Asaf-ud-Duala between the years 1784 to 1786. The 60 feet high gateway stands as an equally grand entrance to the great hall. During the Nawabi era, a huge lantern placed atop the Rumi Darwaza would light up the pathway, while jets of water gushed from the numerous fountains created on the rim of the gateway.

While on one hand the Nawabs had achieved a certain degree of independence from the Moghuls in Delhi, they surrendered their hold over the years as allies to the British who were there in the form of the East India Company based in Calcutta. Asaf-ud-Duala’s son, Wazir Ali took over the throne after his father’s death in 1798. After four months of misrule and bad behavior, the British removed Wajid Ali from the throne in 1798, who had by then acquired enough powers to manipulate the events of Awadh. Sadat Ali Khan, Asaf-ud-Daula’s brother, was offered the throne, who during his 16 years of reign, earned himself a reputation of being an able administrator and the most sagacious Nawab that Lucknow had ever known.

Ambedkar Udyan Gomyti Nagar Lucknow

Christ Church

Christ Church, designed by General Hutchinson, is situated near Wingfield Park in Lucknow. It was built in memory of those who died in the revolt of 1857. The church was renovated in 1904. It houses some fine memorial tablets and brass collections.

Bailey Guard Gate, Lucknow

Central gate in Lucknow nearly destroyed during the final battles for the city in 1858.

Bailey Gate in Lucknow was one of the iconic monuments of the Raj, subject of countless photographs and postcards. It represented the re-conquest of India against great odds in the spring of 1858 when the British stormed and took Lucknow under heavy fire. It was preserved in a garden for posterity.