Tourist Attractions Lucknow
Bara Imambara
 Built in the year 1784 by
the champion of charity Nawab Asaf ud Daula, the Bara Imambara
provided food to the famine stricken subjects of the Nawab. It is
said that once even the rich persons worked here as laborers in
the construction of this impressive monument. They worked at
night to avoid the embarrassment of being noticed. The monument
is known for its simplicity of style, sheer proportion and
symmetry. To the left of the Imambara is a grand mosque. To the
right is a row of cloisters concealing a huge well known as the
Baoli.
Clock Tower
The beautiful clock tower, constructed
in 1887, is the tallest Clock Tower in India and one of the
finest examples of British Architecture in India. The 221 feet
tall structure was erected by Nawab Nasir-ud-din Haider to mark
the arrival of Sir George Couper, Ist Lieutenant Governor of
United province of Avadh in the year 1887.
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 mimbar and colorful stucco s 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.).
Saadat Ali's Tomb
 The twin maqbaras of Saadat
Ali Khan and Khurshid Zadi, near Begum Hazrat Mahal Park, are one
of the best examples of Awadh architecture. The proportionate
domes with elegant kiosks and above all, well balanced
architectural design makes them extremely interesting.
Lakshman Tila
Believed to have been one of
the earliest habitations of the city, the Laxman Tila is situated
to the north of the Imambara complex. The Tila contains the
famous Alamgiri Mosque built by Sultan Ali, Governor of the
province of Avadh, during the reign of Aurangzeb. The mosque is
known for its outstanding symmetry of form and sobriety of
decoration.
Rumi Darwaza
 The Rumi Darwaza leads to the outer section of the
Bara Imambara and is widely believed to be a facsimile of one of
the gates of Constantinople. Also known as the Turkish Gateway,
it is a brilliant example of Avadh architecture.
Chattar Manzil
The Umbrella Palace is an
imposing façade with huge underground rooms and a beautiful
dome surrounded by a gilt umbrella. The European influence can
clearly be seen in the architecture of this beautiful building.
Today it houses the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI).
Jama Masjid
The construction of this
mosque was started in 1840 by Mohammad Ali Shah but it was
finally completed by his wife Begum Malika Jahan after his death.
This splendid mosque built in the typical Mughal style lies to
the west of the Hussainabad Imambara. It is entirely free from
pseudo Italian art then in vogue in Lucknow.
Moti Mahal
There are three beautiful
buildings on the fringes of the Gomti. The main one is the Moti
Mahal or the Pearl Palace constructed by Nawab Saadat Ali Khan.
The other two include Mubarak Manzil and the Shah Manzil. They
were mainly constructed for the Nawab and his courtiers to watch
animal combats from the balconies of the buildings, which were
held at the other side of the river. The Nawabs also used these
buildings to view the birds in flight.
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