British Architecture in Lucknow

British architecture in Lucknow consists in the construction of a number of historically significant churches. Though there have
been elements of European architecture existing in Lucknow before the advent of British colonial rule, it was with their
presence that a specific architectural stamp was made in the various constructions found strewn in the city.
 British architecture in Lucknow, though it was
mostly constructed during colonial times, also finds
reflection in some of the older Mughal and Nawabi
constructions. The Europeans had mercantile
associations with Lucknow from the time
of Akbar and Jahangir, and thus their influence had
been a constant factor since those days. A French
trader had built a mansion, popularly called Farangi
Mahal during the days of Mughal rule, though there
is no evidence of any churches being built in
Lucknow during the Mughal era. General Claude
Martin, a French fortune-seeker who was favoured
by Nawab Asaf Ud Daula, settled in Lucknow and
built, in 1794, an impressive palace on the right
bank of Gomti River at the outskirts of the city. He
might have constructed a chapel in the vicinity, but
it seems to have been destroyed in 1857, as was
the case with his tomb. Following these early periods in Lucknow, significant European architecture is to be seen in Lucknow,
most of it dating back to the Colonial period. These constructions, especially the churches, are of historical and architectural
importance.

Christ Church
This beautiful church was built by the British during the last decade of the nineteenth century or the early part of twentieth
century. It is situated in the posh locality of Hazratganj, not far from Raj Bhavan. Following the conventional plan, it has
beautiful railings at the roof level, besides a three-storeyed square tower and tall spire crowned by a metallic cross. The
church has the additional feature of an engaged, five-storeyed pointed tower. The doors and windows have Gothic arches with
arabesque frames for stained glass panels. The prayer hall of the church is very impressive for its spaciousness and lofty
recessed arches supported on tall circular pilasters. It also has a beautifully designed wooden altar. The elegant window
behind the altar has stained glass panels depicting holy figures.

Church of the Epiphany

The impressive Church of the Epiphany was built in
1877. Its facade is remarkable for the five-storeyed
tower, which rises above the main entrance. The tower is
flanked by two solid turrets, and its steep verticality is
balanced by smaller tapering towers at the four corners.
The arched windows and rectangular ventilators are
regular features of the tower. The prayer hall resembles
that of Christ Church. The wooden altar, the tri-arched
windows and pillared arches are additional features of
interest.

Old Methodist Church

Situated in the Lai Bagh area, this is one of the oldest
churches in the city. It was one William Butler who
brought Methodism to India, and started a Christian
service in Lucknow in 1858. But it was in 1870 that the
congregation was formally organised and the great
Evangelist, Taylor, preached his first sermon in this
church. The construction of the church building
commenced in 1875, while J.H. Messmore was pastor,
and it was completed in 1877. Eighty per cent of the funds were raised from within India. The parsonage was built in 1894
while Stanley Jones was pastor, and the Duncan White Institute (named after the Anglo-Indian member from whose estate
most of the donations came) was added to accommodate Sunday school classes and other small group activities.

The cruciform plan of the church follows the conventional pattern. The tri-arched opening of the portico has a slanting roof,
crowned by a series of ornamental crosses. The recessed pointed arch is Gothic in form. The church is built in brick and
covered with white lime plaster. The structure is remarkable for its square, three-storeyed tower with a conical spire and a
metallic cross. The middle storey has double sets of arched windows and circular ventilators on all sides. The slanting roofs
are decorated with ornamental crosses.

Central Methodist Church

The Central Methodist Church is reported to have been established in
1892. The imposing building has a projecting portico, a square tower with
circular ventilators and Indo-European parapets with small solid towers at
the corners. The spacious prayer hall has tri-arched windows, the central
ones being larger in size.

Husainabad Clock Tower

This is the most striking landmark of old Lucknow. Being one of the early
British monuments in the city, this square brick tower was built in 1881 at
the cost of rupees one lakh and seventeen thousand. It is decorated with
arches, projecting galleries, parapets and floral moulding. The 78-meter
high Clock Tower is the tallest one of its kind. According to historical
records, the blueprint of the Tower was prepared by Mr. R. Byne and the
large clock was assembled by Mr. J.W. Besison from Lingate Hill, London.
The clock`s components are made of gunmetal, and its principal wheel has
a diameter of 8 meters. It has a 4.6- meter long pendulum, which is made
from an alloy of iron and zinc. This alloy acts as a thermostat and maintains
the length of the pendulum in changing weather. There is a clock on each
face of the tower. On its top is a beautiful brass weather clock. Installed
before the advent of electricity, it was provided with two large copper
lanterns, which were lit at night and could be lowered by a rope and pulley.

Victoria Memorial
Among the notable structures raised by the British
is the elegant marble stall standing in the area now
renamed Begum Hazrat Mahal Park. The British
constructed a series of buildings in different parts of
India to honour Queen Victoria, the first British
sovereign of the subcontinent. This kiosk, built in
the Indo-European style, is one of them. The
monument is erected over a red sandstone
platform, approachable from all sides by a wide
stairway with projecting mouldings. The sandstone
platform is also notable for four impressive
octagonal kiosks at the corners.

The central domed marble Chhatri is built over a

raised platform supported on fluted shafts and beautiful arches whose fringes are decorated with lotus buds. The projecting
eaves and elegant brackets are topped by raised parapets with Mughal merlon designs. The bulbous marble dome crowned
by a lotus finial is balanced by four small square kiosks. It is said to have been erected in 1880.
A statue of Begam Hazrat Mahal has been installed on a marble pedestal in the centre of the Chhatri in recent years. The
entire area is now popularly known as Hazrat Mahal Park, where important social and political functions are organised.

Char Bagh Railway Station

Situated in the historic Char Bagh area, which was developed during the time of Nawab Asaf Ud Daula, it is the most
impressive railway station in northern India. Built on a raised plinth, it has a rectangular ground plan, with projecting porticoes.
There are several towers and clusters of circular Awadhi domes. Designed by Mr. Jacob, its foundation was laid on 21 March
1914. The entire complex was completed at a cost of rupees seventy lakhs. The wide, raised platforms have several halls and
rooms for official purposes, besides waiting rooms and refreshment room which, until a few years ago, had elegant British
furniture.

Lucknow University
Lord Canning was responsible for the demolition of the historic Machhi Bhavan Fort and many other stately edifices in
Lucknow after the revolt of 1857. Among the new public buildings which were constructed during his tenure was a school,
erected in 1864, to fulfil the aspirations of the Taluqdars of Awadh. It was named the Canning High School. Situated in the
historic Badshah Bagh area, it later became Canning College and formed the nucleus of Lucknow University in the 1920s.

The imposing structure of Canning College, built in

1878, bears European architectural elements. Built
on a raised platform, with lofty brick walls coated
with thick plaster, it has projecting balconies,
porticoes and low circular domes of the regional
variety. The University has since expanded and
there are several large blocks for the different
faculties as well as hostels with spacious halls and
rooms on both floors.

Vidhan Sabha (The Council House)

This imposing Indo-European building is now the
Vidhan Sabha. Its foundation was laid in 1922 by
Sir Harcourt Butler, the then Governor of the United Provinces. Built with carved grey Chunar sandstone blocks, the circular
building was completed in six years at the cost of rupees eighteen lakhs. Most of the money came from the Taluqdars of
Awadh, who made lavish donations.

The modern double-storeyed monument is rightly considered to be one of the finest specimens of Indo-European architecture
in the state. The facade of the edifice is in the form of a crescent with projecting galleries, and large Gothic arches. The central
ribbed dome, crowned by a cupola, is remarkable for its delicately carved motifs. The tri-arched facade of the portico is also
notable for its size and symmetry. Since independence, it has housed the Vidhan Sabha. The emblem of Uttar Pradesh -
consisting of the bow and arrow of Arjuna, the hero of the Mahabharata, the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, and the
traditional pair offish-was carved on a white stone slab.

Thus British Architecture in Lucknow is quite significant and has left a rather indelible mark on the artistic landscape of the
city.

(Last Updated on : 04/08/2010)