Bara Imambara
This  magnificent   monument  recalls  the   glorious past of the nawabs and stands out for its austerity in style, proportion and summery along with daring techniques in architecture. To provide employment and relief to his subjects during the calamitous famine of 1784, Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula built this Imambara, which houses his tomb. The remarkable feature of the Imambara is the absence of pillars for support, to the 50 ft high main hall and a labyrinth of intricate balconies and passages in the upper floor, the "Bhul Bhulaiyya". To the left of the Imambara is the imposing Asfi Mosque open from 0600 hrs to 1700 hrs,)

Chhota Imambara
Though popularly called as the Chhota Imambara the Hussainabad Imambara stands to the west of Bara Imambara. Built by Nawab Mohammad. Ali Shah (1837-42), it is more ornate in design with exquisite chandeliers, gilt-edged mirrors, silver mimber and colorful stuccos, which adorn the interiors. A golden dome and fine calligraphy on the exterior of the building makes it a truly exceptional monument of Mughal architecture (open 0600 hrs to 1700 hrs.).

Rumi Darwaza
The  60   feet  high   Rumi Darwaza was   constructed under Nawab Asaf-ud-daula in 1786. It is said to be identical in design to an ancient portal at Constantinople. Its uppermost part consists of an eight faceted chhatri, approachable by a staircase.

Hussainadad Picture Gallery
Nawab Mohammad Ali Shah built it as a 'Baradari’ - literally meaning having 12 doorways. It is now used as a gallery for display of life size portraits of the Nawabs of Avadh (open 0800 hrs to 1700 hrs.).

A combined entry ticket of Rs. 10/- entitles a visitor to enter all the above four monuments. Ticket can be purchased at Bara Imambara main hall.

Clock Tower
Constructed in 1887, the Hussaimabad clock Tower is one of the finest examples of British architecture in India. The 221 feet tall structure was built to mark the arrival of Sir Geroge Couper, 1^st Lieutenant Governor of the United Province of Avadh with a cost of Rs. 1.75 lakhs.

Jama Masjid
The construction of Jama Masjid, to the north-west of Hussainabad Imamambara was started in 1839 AD during the reign of Mohammad Ali Shah but was completed after his death by his begum, Nawab Maliks Jahan. It is entirely free from the pseudo - Italian art then in vogue in Lucknow and reflects the Mughal style of architecture.

Shah Najaf Imambara
Situated of the bank of river  Gomti  near  Sikandar Bagh, the Shah Najaf Imambara was built by Ghaz-ud-din Haider, the 1^st ruler of Avadh. It is a replica of the tomb of Hazrat Ali at Najaf in Iraq. Inside is the replica of silver rauza of Najaf. Ghazi-ud-din Haider lies buried here with his three begums-Safaraz Mahal, Mubarak and Mumtaz Mahal.

Maqbara Saadat Ali Khan and Khurshidzadi
The twin maqbaras of Saadat ali Khan and Khurshid Zadi near the Begum Hazrat Mahal Park, are some of the best examples of Avadh architecture. The proportionate domes with elegant kiosks and above all, well-balanced architectural design makes them extremely interesting.

Chhatar Manzil
The ‘Umbrella Palace’ stands near the preset Hanuman Setu. It derives its name from the guilt dome with a covering umbrella, which gives a special magnificence to the complex. Constructed by Nawab Ghazi-ud-din Haider and completed by his son Nasir-ud-din Haider. Today it houses the Central Drug Reseach Institute. (CDRI)

Qasebagh Palace Complex
The Qaiserbagh Palaces were commenced in 1848 and completed in 1850 by the last nawab of Avadh,Wajid Ali shah. The yellow buildings flanked by two Lakkhi Gates provided quarters for the ladies of the harem in the center of the quadrangle stands the Bardari, a white stone edifice of picturesque design.

Motimahal
The ‘Pearl Palace’ was erected by Nawab Saadat Ali Khan, late Ghazi-ud-din Haider added two other buildings to the complex - the Shah Manzil and the Mubarak Manzil. They were mainly constructed for the Nawab and his courtiers to watch animal combats from the balconies of these buildings, which were held at the other side of the river.

Qadamrasul
The “Prophet’s Footprint” was brought to India from Mecca by some distinguished pilgrim. Though badly damaged in 1857 war, the stone bearing the footprint still stands on a high pedestal near Sikandar Bagh (NBRI), constructed by Nawab Ghazi-ud-din Haider.

Sikandarbagh
Derives its name from one of the begums of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, Shander Mahal, It was 1200 square yards in area surrounded by a high wall, with a summer house in its center. The National Botanical Garden has been set up here after independence.

Dilkusha Palces
“Hearts Delight” was constructed by Nawab Saadat Ali Khan as a hunting retreat. The palace is laid down amidst extensive parks near the banks of river Gomti.

Bilbiyapur Kothi
Erected under directions of General Claude Martin as a country house during days of Nawab Asif-ud-Daula. It was chiefly used as a guesthouse for incoming British residents. It was here that Aaadat Ali Khan was proclaimed Nawab or Awadh by Sir John Shore.

Colonial Monuments

La Martiniere
The finest and the largest example of European funerary monument in the subcontinent, La Martiniere is associated with its rather strange and romantic past. Built and designed by French soldier turned architect- Claude Martin, it incorporates the features of Italian architecture, fusing them with native architectural attributes of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Today it houses one of the leading educational institutions of the city.

Lucknow Residency
At one time, the official residency of the British Resident, Residency was built in 1870-1800. A witness to one of the bitterest battles during the war of Independence in 1857, scars made by the cannons can still be seen on every standing wall.


Vidhan Sabha Bhavan
The Vidhan Sabha Bhawan is one of the most imposing buildings of the city of Nawabs. Its foundation was laid in 1922 by Sir Harcourt Butler and the construction was completed in 6 years at the cost of Rs. 18 lakhs.

Charbagh Railway Station
Overpowering in dimensions yet aesthetically designed, Charbagh Railway Station built in 1914 incorporates the best of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. It gives an ideal, traditional warm welcome to every visitor.

State Museum
The State Museum houses a large collection of artifacts and memorabilia and is located at Banarasi Bagh, within the city. The Numismatic, Handicrafts, Natural history and ethnographic sections of the museum are particularly interesting. (Museum timings: 10.30 A M to 4.30 P M. Weekly off, Monday.)

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