Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, is on the banks of the Gomti. Lucknow’s Ganga Jamuni Tahzeeb is famous. During the 18th and 19th centuries, it was the Nawabs’ capital. The city was ruled by many dynasties before being taken over by the British. After independence, it became Uttar Pradesh’s capital.
Bara Imambara Lucknow
Bara Imambara is a monument in Lucknow where Shia Muslims mourn during Muharram. The Asafi imambara was built by Nawab Asafud-Daulah. During the famine in Lucknow, the monument was built to employ people. This tutorial will explain the history of Bara Imambara and its structures. You will also learn about the best time to visit and how to get there.
Nawab Asaf-ud Daulah, the fourth nawab of Awadh, built Bara Imambara in 1784. During the month of Muharram, Shia Muslims gather here to mourn Imam Husain, Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, who died in the battle of Karbala in 680AD. The roof of this monument is supported by no pillars or beams.
History
Arabs and Mughals in Awadh
ruled Awadh from 1394 to 1478. In 1555, Humayun conquered Awadh. Jahangir gave Sheikh Abdul Rahim an estate in Awadh, which he later made his kingdom.
Nawabs’ Awadh
So Lucknow became Shuja-ud-third Daulah’s Nawab’s capital. The Nawabs lived a lavish life. They adored art and music and built many city monuments. The British fought the third nawab because he protected Bengal’s Nawab Mir Qasim. Shuja-ud-Daulah lost the Buxar battle and had to pay a penalty and give up some territory to the East India Company.
Asaf-ud-Daulah succeeded Nawab Shuja-ud Daulah. His court moved from Faizabad to Lucknow in 1775. During his reign, many mosques and monuments were built. Wazir Ali Khan succeeded Asaf-ud-Daulah, but the British forced him out. Then Saadat Ali Khan took the throne with British help. Saadat Ali Khan had to cede much of his kingdom to the British in 1801.
British Awadh
The British East India Company took over Awadh in the late 1800s. This led to Sir Henry Lawrence taking control of Awadh. Wajid Ali Shah was exiled to Calcutta. In exile, Begum Hazrat Mahal ruled Awadh.
After the rebels were defeated in 1857, she and other rebels fled to Nepal. During this mutiny, the rebels besieged Awadh, and the British had to fight for eighteen months to regain control. Lucknow was a major Khilafat hub. Later, it was part of the United Province with Agra and Awadh. United Province became Uttar Pradesh, with Lucknow as its capital.
Construction
C-Hall
The monument has nine halls, the largest being the central one. The hall is 50m long and 16m wide. The ceiling is 15m high. The ceiling is unique in that it is supported by no columns. It also had no beams, iron rods, or girders supporting it. Little halls surround the central one.
Bhulaiyya
The monument’s walls surround Bhul Bhulayya. Tourists visiting it must have a guide with them at all times. It has 1000 passages, many of which are dead ends.
Asafi Masjid
The monument is also known as Shahi Hammam and has a five-storey baoli. The step well connects to Gomti. Three of the five storeys are underwater, while two are above.
Nawab Asaf-ud-Daulah built Asafi Masjid inside the bara imambara. The mosque was built without iron. The mosque is right next to the bara imambara gate.
Visitation
Bara Imambara is open from 6am to 5pm. Monument is small and takes about an hour to visit. The monument is open every day except Monday. The monument is open on holidays. Book taxi in Lucknow for traveling in and around the city.
Tickets
Visiting the monument requires purchasing a ticket. Indians pay Rs. 25 while foreigners pay Rs. 300. Children under the age of 15 do not require a ticket.
When to go:
The best time to visit Lucknow is between September and March. Even though January is a chilly month, people will enjoy moving around the city. The rest of the year is either too hot or too humid to visit.
