Lucknow Sightseeing

Also known as the Chhota, or Small Imambara, This was built by Mohammed Ali Shah in 1837 as his own mausoleum. Thousands of labourers worked on the project to gain famine relief. The large courtyard encloses a raised rectangular tank with small imitations of the Taj Mahal on each side. one of them is the tomb of Mohammed Ali Shah daughter, the other that of her husband. The main building of the imambara, topped by a golden dome, contains the tombs of ali Shah and his mother. Opposite the Hussainabad Imambara is Satkhanda and also known as Sven Storey Tower. A 67m-high defunct clock tower, overlooks the Hussainabad Tank nearby. West of the Hussainabad Imambara is the Jama Masjid which was started by Mohammed Ali Shah and Completed after his Death.

The Bara or Great Imambara (an imambara is the tomb of a Shi'ite Muslim holy man) was built in 1784 by Asaf-ud-Daula. The central hall of the Imambara, at 50m long and 15m high, is one of the largest vaulted galleries in the world. An external stairway leads to an upper floor laid out as an amazing labyrinth known as the Bhulbhulaiya. Beside the Imambara, and built by Asaf-ud-Daula , is the imposing Rumi Darwaza.

Built in 1800 for the British Resident, this group of buildings became the stage for the the most dramatic events of the 1857 Uprising the Siege of Lucknow. The red-brick ruins are peaceful now a days, surrounded by lawns and flowerbeds, but thousands died during the months-long siege. The Residency has been maintaind as it was at the time of the final relief, and the shattered walls are still scarred by cannon shot. Even since Independence, little has changed. The only major work done on the place was the unveiling of an Indian Martyrs Memorial directely opposite. you can see cellars in the main Residency building where many of the women and children lived throughout the siege. The cemetery at the nearby ruined church has the graves of 2000 men, women and children, including that of Sir Henry Lawrence, 'who tried to do his duty' according to the famous inscription on his weathered gravestone.

Situated north of the Imambara complex which houses the Alamgir Mosque, was built by Sultan Ali, the governor of Awadh during Aurangzeb's reign.

Rumi Darwaza is a massive gateway situated west of the Bara Imambara and was built by Nawab Asaf-ud-daulah in 1784.

Near the Rumi Darwaza, is a 221 feet high clock tower built by Nawab Mohammed Ali Shah in 1881.

Near Chowk, is an imposing building whose construction was started by Nawab Ghazi Haider but was completed by his successor, Nawab Nasiruddin Haider. The Main attractions include huge underground rooms and a beautiful dome surrounded by gilt umbrella. European architectural influences can also be seen.