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BADA IMAMBADA
The Bada Imambada or Asafi Imambada was built by Nawab Asaf-ul-Daula in 1784 as a relief work during the terrible famine that year. Apart from the galleries in the interior, there is no woodwork anywhere. The interior vaulted hall, measuring 162 feet in length, 53 feet in width and 50 feet in height, is said to be one of the largest apartments of its kind in the world. From the outside, a staircase leads to a series of artfully designed labyrinths (bhoolbhulaiyan) where it is very easy to get lost. You can wander through the zigzag narrow galleries for hours without finding your way out! It/'s a very eerie sensation, moving towards the sunlit corridors that seem to be going out, only to find that you are actually deeper in the labyrinth. Most visitors therefore are only allowed inside with guides who are familiar with the maze.
HUSSAINABAD IMAMBADA
Also known as Chhota Imambada, the Hussainabad Imambada was built between 1837 and 1842 by Mohammed Ali Shah. The structure houses the tombs of Mohammed Ali Shah and his mother. The Imambada has a white dome and numerous turrets and minarets. Verses in Arabic decorate the walls of the mausoleum. The interiors are adorned with chandeliers, gilded mirrors, colourful stucco, the King/'s throne and ornate tazia or replicas of the tombs at Karbala. The Imambada also encloses a tank with small imitations of the Taj Mahal on each side. A clock tower estimated to be 67 metres high overlooks the Hussainabad tank. During Muharram, the Imambada is illuminated giving it a wonderful look.
SHAH NAJAF IMAMBADA
This mausoleum situated on the right bank of the Gomti houses the remains of Ghazi-ud-din Haider and his wives. In the centre of the building lies the silver tomb of Ghazi-ud-din Haider flanked by the more imposing silver and gold tomb of Mubarak Mahal, his European wife, on one side and another tomb on the other. The Imambada derives its name from Najaf, a town situated about 200 km south of Baghdad where the saint Hazrat Ali was buried.
RESIDENCY
Lying in ruins near Hazratganj area, which is the centre of the city, the Lucknow Residency reminds one of the British presence in this city of Nawabs some two centuries ago. The Residency was built in 1780-1800 for the British Resident in Avadh. During the Mutiny of 1857, the Residency was besieged by the rebels and it became the centre of the conflict in this area. The compound inside the Residency/'s walls is now a historic monument. The Treasury served as an arsenal during the Mutiny. The residency, to the northeast has tykhanas or underground rooms used in summers.
RUMI DARWAZA
Apart from the Bada Imambada, Asaf-ud-Daula also built the 60-feet-high Rumi Darwaza to create employment during the famine of 1784. The ornate gateway is said to be a replica of one of the gates of Constantinople.
KAISERBAGH PALACE COMPLEX
Nawab Wajid Ali Shah started the construction of this palace complex in 1848 and it was completed in 1850. The yellow buildings on three sides of the quadrangle were supposed to be the living quarters for the ladies of the harem. A picturesque white stone edifice, Baradari, stands in the centre. The edifice was paved with silver earlier.
NATIONAL BOTANICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
The botanical gardens, which form the home of National Botanical Research Institute, are located at Sikandarbagh. It was at Sikandarbagh that pitched battles took place during the Mutiny of 1857.
STATE MUSEUM AND ZOO
The Lucknow Zoo in the Banarsi Bagh has a large collection of animals. Located within the zoo premises is the Lucknow Museum. The museum houses a large collection of artefacts and memorabilia. A splendid collection of stone sculptures brought from Mathura forms the highlight of the museum. There are also a statues of Queen Victoria and some of her court men kept in the garden area of the museum complex.
