Article Written By EIH Researcher And Writer
Radhika Somani
Lucknow was the capital of Nawabs of Awadh during the 18th and 19th century. Asaf-ud-Daulah was the fourth nawab who succeeded Nawab Shuja-ud Daulah. Under his rule from 1775 to 1797 CE, many mosques and other monuments were constructed.
Nawabs of Awadh, Hyderabad and Murshidabad began to establish their independent states as the Mughal Empire weakened. The architecture style was heavily dependent and inspired by the Mughal style established during Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb period, yet in each case, new interpretations and meanings reflected the religious attachment and expressions of these new kingdoms.
In Awadhi architecture, brick and mortar shaped impressive structures contributing to the unique style and form. ‘Lakhori’ bricks structured the dome, minaret, arch and vault. The use of ‘lakhauri’ enabled the local masons to form remarkably fine details on the wall and other common surfaces.
The Architectural style of Imambaras of Lucknow under the Nawabs of Awadh endeavored to come out from the shadow of the Mughal Empire. Imambaras continued to be in the tradition of Islamic principles but with brick and stucco instead of stone like their predecessors. Imambara or the ‘house of the Imam’ was built by the rulers who were primarily Shia Muslims by faith for Azadari. An Imambara is simply a hall for various ceremonies, especially related to the remembrance of Muharram. A mourning period for all Muslims that marks the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala held in 680 CE, where Hussein-ibn-Ali, the grandson of Muhammad was killed in the battle.
Imambaras are special to Lucknow and range from a small niche in a house to elaborate complexes. The city has several Imambaras, the most significant being the Aasif Imambara(1784 CE), Shah Najaf Imambara(1818-1823 CE), Husainabad Imambara(1837 CE), Imambara Ghufan Maab(1753-1820 CE) and the Imambara Sibtainabad(1847 CE). In Neha Das’s 1991 study of the Imambaras, she identified many small Imambaras patterned after the complex Imambaras.
The general components of an Imambara complex include a garden and a mosque. Fulfilling the cultural requirements, Imambaras had separate rooms for men and women. In Imambara architecture, the structure is adorned with stucco reliefs, cusped arches crowned by parapet of bulbous domes and elongated central halls roofed with a dome or a vault.
The most renowned Imambara or the Azakhana is the Bada Imambara also known as the Asafi Imambara, built by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula in 1784 CE. The construction of the three-storeyed structure began for a noble cause to give employment and food to the people of famine-stricken Awadh state in return for their service. Designed by the architect Hafiz Kifayat Ullah of Shahjahanabad (present-day old Delhi), the structure took fourteen years to complete with the help of more than 20,000 men.
There are three halls in the Imambara, the central congregational hall which has the tomb of Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula is said to be the largest arched hall in the world whose bricks are interlocked without any beam support. The structure has a double wall system for the outer walls, the air passage in between allows for ventilation, keeps the building cool and transforms the longitudinal sound waves to transverse. Standing at the two ends of the balconies of the central hall one can hear the slightest sound because of the grooves created in the vaulted ceiling that allows the sound to travel from one end to the other. The structure is designed with vents that allow light and air to pass through at frequent intervals. These vents also allow different views of the main gate and help to keep a track of what’s happening in the outside world.
To reduce the dead load around the halls, the architect decided to make it hollow. The result was a labyrinth of interconnected passages and doors. There are around 489 identical doorways and 1000 passages, and most of them open in another passage or a dead end which gives a great view of the outside while some will take you up on the roof. This complex network of walls is called the ‘Bhool Bhulaiya’ of Bada Imambara. It is advised to visit the labyrinth with a trained guide.
The interior is embellished with alarms, mirrors and chandeliers illuminating the structure. The cells inside are decorated with lime plaster and stucco work. The dual fish motif, part of the coat of arms of Awadh is seen on the exterior.
These Imambaras are examples of ambitious engineering, local craftsmanship and experimentation with the Mughal style of Architecture. The Imambara architecture is an epitome of the coming of age of Lucknow as a seat of Indo-Islamic culture.
Reference and Bibliography
- The Bhool-Bhulaiya of Lucknow, Bada Imambara – Musafir
- The Legend of Bhool Bhulaiya at Bada Imambara in Lucknow
- (PDF) The Architecture of the Imamabadas in Lucknow; Imambada …
- Bara Imambara, Lucknow – Tutorialspoint