Lesser Known Monuments – Lucknow

Lesser Known Monuments - Lucknow

(Accessible places)

Nadan Mahal

Nadan Mahal contains the mortal remains of Sheikh Ibrahim, a Sufi saint. He arrived during the time of Lodhi Kings and died in 1553-54 during the reign of Humayun. It is said that his tomb came to be known as ‘Nidan’ Mahal since the Sheikh’s followers prayed for deliverance at his tomb. There is a large stone tablet at the entrance of his tomb which has three Persian couplets, carved out in Nastaliq style, speaking of the greatness of the saint. The last line of the lyrical inscription gives the chronogram for the year of death of the saint as 961 Hijri. The other enclosed tomb has a square chamber, surrounded with corridors on all its four sides, have carved pillars and brackets in stone, that support the overhanging inclined stone slabs fixed for providing shade. Besides some other graves, it contains in the centre, a marble cenotaph of Sheikh Abdur Rahim, a great favourite of Emperor Akbar. Once, astrologers had warned Akbar that two particular days were inauspicious for him as an Emperor and that he should let some reliable person occupy the throne for those two days. Akbar thus made Sheikh Abdur Rahim an Emperor for two days.

Musa Bagh

Musa Bagh was developed as a scenic spot on a sloping ground close to the serpentine curving river bank. In 1803-04 with the help of Claude Martin, Nawab Saadat Ali Khan built this European style palace. It was here that fights between animals like tigers, elephants, wild buffaloes and rhinos were arranged for the pleasure of the Nawabs and his European guests. Musa Bagh has a great historical importance due to the fact that it was the stronghold of Begum Hazrat Mahal and Prince Birjis Qadr, in the action against the British in Lucknow in 1857, till it was attacked by Outram. Nearly five hundred rebels were killed and all their twelve canons were captured here.

Kothi Bibiyapur....

Bibiyapur Kothi was built by Claude Martin during the reign ofNawab Asaf-ud-Daula, on the banks of river Gomti. This building served as an entertainment house for important emissaries of the British. Kothi Bibiyapur bears a striking French influence – light blue tiles brought specially from France, adorned its interior. The serpentine wooden staircases built inside the Kothi are known to be the first of its kind in India. The Kothi later served as a hunting resort, and became so important that Nawab Saadat Ali Khan was crowned here by Sir John Shore.

Havelock's Tomb....

Sir Henry Havelock, along with Outram led the first relief column into the Residency on 25th September, 1857. They held out till November 19, and moved out to the Dilkusha on the 22nd by which time Henry Havelock had developed symptoms of dysentery and died on the 24th• His soldiers refused to leave is body behind and carried it with them to the Alambagh fort, where they were to put up until reinforcement arrived, to enable them for another attack on Lucknow. Havelock was buried here with full military honours. A monument was erected by his family on this spot that exists till date, while at Trafalgar Square in London stands his statue that was erected by the British government grateful for his services.

Rumi Darwaza....

Rumi Darwaza was once described as the Earl of Grosvenor’s seat in Cheshire. The towers on both sides of the gateway appear like medieval European towers. With perfect Indian arches, Rumi Darwaza symbolises the historic architecture of Lucknow. The builder, Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula was possibly not aware of the fame that would follow in pursuit of his construction. The history attaches the design of this gateway with portal of Constantinople. Built in 1784, Rumi Darwaza or the Turkish Gate is a perfect combination of Hindu-Muslim architecture. Each brick placed in the structure of Rumi Darwaza, moans the gloomy past of famine stricken people and hails Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula for providing the relief. ‘Jisko Naa Dey Maula, Usko Dey Asaf-ud-Daula’ -One forsaken by God, is bestowed by Asaf-ud-Daula.

Tal Katora Karbala....

On the 10th day of Muharrum and Chehellum, the city witnesses groups of men, women and children, clad in black, moving towards the Karbala at Tal Katora near Aishbagh, to bury their taazia (paper and wood replica of tomb at Karbala). This Karbala was built by Mir Khuda Bakhsh. The place also serves as an assembly point for people who come here with alam (the replica of the banner of lmam Hussain’s army) to perform maatam (beating their chest) to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his 72 followers during Muharrum. Some devotees also perform the zanjeer ka maatam (flagellation with knives attached to chains) here.