India: Lucknow sights, 16th March 2015

There are some magnificent sights in Lucknow that attest to its Great wealth in the 18th and 19th centuries, much of which was given away to the British East India Company; half of the state plus favourable 'loans' to fund the Company's expansion in S.E. Asia.

From my schooling in Queensland (about Year 5) I had learnt the story of the relief of Lucknow; a very British view of how the brave British held out against the Sepoys mutiny in 1857. Lenore being in a NSW school was learning Australian history.

See 'Historical background', below:

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“There is no city—except Bombay, the queen of all—more beautiful in her garish style than Lucknow, whether you see her from the bridge over the river, or from the top of the Imambara looking down on the gilt umbrellas of the Chutter Munzil, and the trees in which the town is bedded.”

Excerpt From: Kipling, Rudyard. “Kim.” iBooks.

Bada Imambara's height is 50 m and was built by Asaf-ud-Daula, Nawab of Lucknow, in 1784; his portrait is on the left as displayed in the Tower Gallery together with those of his ancestors and following generations. His successor was exiled to Calcatta in 1856 by the Bristish as they felt his attention was too much on his 365 concubines and not matters of State.

Bada means big, and an imambara is a shrine built by Shir Muslims. Architectural style is Mughal.

The photo top right is of one of the gardens and gate complexes to the compound which also includes a mosque and a step well.

 

 

 

 

The Imambara's front facade.

 

 

L and N on the external side of the gallery level. The internal side of the gallery has you high over the main hall (the photo below). The cross over between internal and external walk ways gives insight to the 'light weight' hollow construction.

 

The main hall. There is a large domed room at each end of the hall.

 

 

 

Christian churche's do exist. I had a brief chat with the Rev Maxton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“but the best schooling a boy can get in India is, of course, at St Xavier's in Partibus at Lucknow.”

Excerpt From: Kipling, Rudyard. “Kim.” iBooks.

 

Historical Background

The Indian Rebellion of 1857 began as a mutiny of sepoys of the East India Company's army on 10 May 1857, and quickly spread to many locations. Horrific atrocities were carried out by all sides over the following year.

The British Commissioner resident at Lucknow had enough time to fortify his position inside the Residency compound. The Company forces numbered some 1700 men, including loyal sepoys. After 90 days of siege the numbers of Company forces were reduced to 300 loyal sepoys, 350 British soldiers and 550 non-combatants.

The mutiny is sometimes called the first Indian War of Independence, and lead to the replacement of the East India Company by the British Raj.