HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE- IV

Oudh architecture

OUDH Oudh known in British historical texts

as Awadh or Oude, all derived from Ayodhya, is a region in the modern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and a small area of Nepal's Province.

It was established as one of the twelve original subahs (top-level imperial provinces) under 16th-century Mughal emperor Akbar and became a hereditary tributary polity around 1722 AD, with Faizabad as its initial capital.

 Saadat Ali Khan first Nawab 

Bara imambara

Bara Imambara is an Imambara Complex in Lucknow, India, built by Asaf-ud-Daula, Nawab of Awadh, in 1784.

It is also called the Asafi Imambara.

Bara means big, and an imambara is a shrine built by Shia Muslims for the purpose of Azadari.

The Bara Imambara is among the grandest buildings of Lucknow.

Site plan

Now letz c the interesting elements

in bara imambara complex……..

Lal Pul✣ Lal Pul, also known as Pakka Pul and Navabi pull, is

a bridge across the Gomti river.

✣ It is considered to be the best starting point of Lucknow heritage walks

✣ . ✣ This bridge is among the oldest in the area and it has

survived many floods.

✣ It is the tourists’ favorite passageway to the monumental building named Bara Imambara.

Teele Wali Masjid Teele Wali Masjid, also known as Alamgiri

Mosque, is located to the north of the Imambara complex and is believed to be the earliest construction in the area.

It is built on a mound specially raised by order of Aurangzeb, governor of Lucknow, to serve as the mosque ground.

An interesting fact is that “teele” is translated form the local dialect as “mound”.

Teele Wali Masjid is renown for its outstanding architectural symmetry and equilibrium.

Gulab Vatika Gulab Vatika is an exquisite garden of roses that

beautifies the area near Roomi Darwaza and Bara Imambara.

It was originally developed for the leisure of wealthy families, but today it welcomes all visitors.

A wholesome and gorgeous environment, rich in various roses.

Roomi Darwaza  The Roomi Darwaza, sometimes called the Turkish

Gate, is an imposing gateway, built under the patronage of ruler Asaf-Ud-Dowlah in 1784.

It is a perfect rendering of Awadhi architecture (the Lucknow School of Architecture).

This sixty foot tall structure was patterned after the Sublime Porte (Bab-iHümayun) in Istanbul.

Naubat Khana Naubat Khana or Naqqar Khana means a drum house

or an orchestra pit for ceremonies.

This monument is a distinct representation of the Mughal architecture.

It was built for drummers who announced the hours of the day, as well as the arrival of the emperor or his distinguished guests.

And after the American Mission refused to take Naubat Khana as a gift, Lucknow authorities took the decision to restore the building

Bara Imambara Entrance Gate  Bara Imambara Entrance Gate features rather

restrained and moderate architectural elements comparing to the structures that await visitors inside the complex.

The smooth lines of the gate represent a definite example of Mughal architecture.

Arched windows and doorways were designed to allow free flow of air, which is typical for Indian architecture, as well as the symmetrical “umbrella” towers with small pikes on the tops.

Bara Imambara Second Gate 

The second gateway to Bara Imambara creates a splendid view.

Its architectural features include some Rajput details, and patterned reliefs on the arches that represent the so-called “fish motifs”, typical for Lucknow architecture, especially on gates.

There is a symmetrically laid out garden in front of this gateway.

Asafi Masjid  The image of the mosque Asafi Masjid is often used as

the city symbol, highlighting Lucknow tourist attractions lists.

It was among the first buildings erected after the capital of the state was permanently transferred to Lucknow in 1775.

Asafi Masjid is located inside of the Bara Imambara and it was built near 10 years before the complex itself. It is believed that this three-domed mosque was designed and raised by Iranian architect Kifait-ullah, who later drafted the project of Bara Imambara.

JAMMA MASJID ASAFI MASJID

Shahi Baoli Shahi Baoli is a building raised around a large well,

initially dug as the water reservoir for the Imambara construction works.

The well happened to be a perennial source of water due to its connection to underground river streams.

The emperor desired to build unique premises to host his distinguished guests and had chosen this particular spot to place it.

Many of the emperor’s guests described this building as having an exquisite design with the rarest English marble finish, small hot an cold.

Bhool Bhulaiya is the main part of the Imambara complex. The central part of it is a big arched hall where the tomb of Asaf-Ud-Dowlah lies.

The Iranian architect Kifait-ullah, the author of this project, also lies buried there.

There are eight more chambers built to different roof heights.

The building is surrounded with 489 identical doorless galleries.

Bhool Bhulaiya has no pillars to support the ceiling and it is among the largest vaulted constructions in the world.

Bhool Bhulaiya 

NEXT TOPIC S CHOTA IMAMBARA

CHOTA IMAMBARA Chota Imambara also known as Imambara

Hussainabad Mubarak is an imposing monument located in the city of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Built as an imambara or a congregation hall for Shia Muslims, by Muhammad Ali Shah, the third Nawab of Awadh in 1838.

It was to serve as his own mausoleum and his mother, who is buried beside him.

The large green and white bordered hall of Azakhana is richly decorated with chandeliers and a good number of crystal glass lamp-stands.

In fact, it was for this profuse decoration that the Imambara was referred by European visitors and writers as The Palace of Lights'. The exterior is very beautifully decorated with Quranic verses in Islamic calligraphy

Tomb of Princess Zinat Algiya Zinat Algiya the daughter of King Mohammad Ali

Shah Bahadur (3rd King of Awadh).

This structure serves as a mausoleum for four graves, of the son, daughter and son-in-law of the King Mohammed Ali Shah and one of the lady.

This is the small scale copy of the TAJ MAHAL.

This tomb is smaller in area of the TAJ MAHAL.

Treasury

This other structure facing the tomb was built for the architectural symmetry and balance of the Imambara. It was used as a treasury.

Husainabad Mosque This Mosque is Built on high platform with two grand

minaret on the edge of the platform.

This Mosque is very beautifully decorated with Floral designs and Quranic Calligraphy.

Satkhanda Outside the imambara is the watch tower

called Satkhanda or tower of seven stories. Though it is called Satkhanda, it has only four

stories, as the construction of the tower was abandoned when Ali Shah died.

Satkhanda was built between 1837–1842 in the time of Muhammad Ali Shah.

 He wanted to make it the same as Qutub Minar of Delhi and the leaning tower of Pisa. 

Its main purpose is lunar observation.

The next topic is Chattar Manzil

Chattar ManzilLucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Chattar Manzil It was constructed by order of Nawab Ghazi Uddin

Haider .

Completed after his death by his successor, Nawab Nasir Uddin Haider.

The Chattar Manzil stand on the banks of the River Gomti. 

The Chattar Manzil consisted of a Bari (larger) Chattar Manzil and Chhoti (smaller) Chattar Manzil.

 Only the larger one still exists

Chattar Manzil These two buildings were examples of the Indo-

European-Nawabi architectural style.  Chattar Manzil has been altered over the years. The palaces were named after the chattris (umbrella-

shaped domes) on the octagonal pavilions,which crown the buildings.

 The imposing building has large underground rooms .

A dome surmounted by a gilt umbrella.

Usage  Nawabs of Awadh:  Saadat Ali Khan

Underground rooms

Now letz discuss about the next topic

tomb of saadat ali khan

Saadat ali khan Saadat Ali Khan was a known ruler

amoung the navabs of owdh.

This tomb is dedecated for his favourite wife Murshid Zadi who popularly known as Begum.

It is built in the Indo-Islamic style of architecture.

✣.

The tomb of Nawab Saadat Ali Khan’s wife Murshidzaadi lies adjacent to his Maqbara.

The walls of the facade has fine stucco work done on it. It also has turrets and a huge dome which is further embellished with an inverted guldasta over it.

At top the guldasta is fixed a pointed, narrow rod which aims at the sky.

The building has it’s floor chequered with black and white marbles and it’s walls adorned with several arched doors and windows.

 The building has it’s floor chequered with black and white marbles and it’s walls adorned with several arched doors and windows. ‘Lakhauri bricks and locally available mortar was used to build this structure.

 It’s deteriorating condition in the form of crumbling plasters, broken pointed rod at it’s peak, dull-blackened walls and bad shape of the park surrounding it, is awaiting for the onlookers’s to pay heed over the feeling of love and respect with which it was once built and help it in regaining it’s original grace.

Thatz all………

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