Bara Imambara

Coordinates: 26°52′08.77″N 80°54′46.39″E / 26.8691028°N 80.9128861°E / 26.8691028; 80.9128861
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Bara Imambara
Religion
AffiliationShia Islam
Location
LocationLucknow, Uttar Pradesh
CountryIndia
Bara Imambara is located in Uttar Pradesh
Bara Imambara
Shown within Uttar Pradesh
Bara Imambara is located in India
Bara Imambara
Bara Imambara (India)
Geographic coordinates26°52′08.77″N 80°54′46.39″E / 26.8691028°N 80.9128861°E / 26.8691028; 80.9128861
Architecture
FounderAsaf-ud-Daula
Completed1784

Bara Imambara (

Shia Muslims for the purpose of Azadari. This imambara is the second largest after the Nizamat Imambara. [citation needed
]

Building composition

View from the roof of the labyrinth of Bara Imambara

The building complex also includes the large Asfi mosque, the Bhul-bhulaiya (the labyrinth), and Bowli, a steep well with running water. Two imposing gateways lead to the main hall. It is said that there are 1024 ways to reach the terrace, but only two ways to come back, which is through the first gate or the last gate. It is an accidental architecture.[citation needed]

Relief measure

Construction of Bara Imambara was started in 1780, a year of devastating famine, and one of Asaf-ud-Daula's objectives in embarking on this grandiose project was to provide employment for people in the region for almost a decade while the famine lasted. It is said that ordinary people used to work during the day building up the

Keynesian-like intervention for employment generation. Construction of the Imambara was completed in 1784. The estimated cost of building the Imambara ranges between half a million rupees to a million rupees. Even after completion, the Nawab used to spend between four and five hundred thousand rupees on its decoration annually.[1]

Cultural and Historical Significance:

Architecture

  • The simple grave of Asaf ud-Daula under a canopy inside the Bara Imambara; a watercolor by Seeta Ram, c. 1814–15.
    The simple grave of
    Asaf ud-Daula
    under a canopy inside the Bara Imambara; a watercolor by Seeta Ram, c. 1814–15.
  • The current day interior view.
    The current day interior view.
  • Rumi Darwaza, the gateway to Husainabad Imambara in Lucknow in India, around 1860.
    Rumi Darwaza, the gateway to Husainabad Imambara in Lucknow in India, around 1860.
  • The outer view of Bara Imambara.
    The outer view of Bara Imambara.
  • The Asfi mosque, located within the imambara complex.
    The Asfi mosque, located within the imambara complex.

The architecture of the complex reflects the maturation of ornamented

Roomi Darwaza just outside. This portal, embellished with lavish decorations, was the Imambara's west-facing entrance. The Bara Imambara is among the grandest buildings of Lucknow.[3]

The design of the Imambara was acquired through a competitive process. The winner was a Delhi architect Kifayatullah,[1] who also lies buried in the main hall of the Imambara. It is another unique aspect of the building that the sponsor and the architect lie buried beside each other.

See also

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-81-87358-30-5
    .
  2. ISSN 0971-8257
    . Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Lucknow City". Laxys.com. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2014.

External links

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