Architecture of Lucknow
Encyclopedia
The Lucknow
School of Architecture was an experiment by the resurgent Nawabs of Awadh. It was an attempt to preserve the Mughal
school of architecture by experimenting with different materials and innovating new concepts.
Among the extant architecture there are religious buildings such as Imambaras, mosque
s and other Islamic shrine
s, and secular structures like enclosed gardens, baradaris, palace complexes.
The following are distinct features of Lucknow architecture :
Lucknow
Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh in India. Lucknow is the administrative headquarters of Lucknow District and Lucknow Division....
School of Architecture was an experiment by the resurgent Nawabs of Awadh. It was an attempt to preserve the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
school of architecture by experimenting with different materials and innovating new concepts.
Among the extant architecture there are religious buildings such as Imambaras, mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
s and other Islamic shrine
Shrine
A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....
s, and secular structures like enclosed gardens, baradaris, palace complexes.
The following are distinct features of Lucknow architecture :
- Use of Fish as a decorative motif especially on Gates
- The use of Chattar ( umbrella ) as in the Chattar ManzilChattar ManzilThe Chattar Manzil , or Umbrella Palace, was constructed by order of Nawab Ghazi Uddin Haider and completed after his death by his successor, Nawab Nasir Uddin Haider. The imposing building has large underground rooms and a dome surmounted by a gilt umbrella...
- The BaradariBaradariBaradari or Birâdrî means Brotherhood originating from the Persian word "Baradar" or "Birâdar" meaning "Brother". In Pakistan and India it is used to denote a number of social strata among South Asian Muslims...
( the twelve doorway pavilions) - Rumi Darwaza
- Enclosed Baghs like Sikandar BaghSikandar BaghSikandar Bagh , formerly known by the British as Sikunder/Sikandra/Secundra Bagh, is a villa and garden enclosed by a fortified wall, with loopholes, gateway and corner bastions, approx. 150 yards square, c. 4.5 acres, located in the city of Lucknow, Oudh, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was built by the...
- Vaulted halls such as the Asafi Imambara
- The labyrinth Bhulbhulaiyan
- Taikhanas