- Bara Imambara
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Coordinates: 26°52′09″N 80°54′46″E / 26.869104°N 80.912885°E
Bara Imambara (Urdu: بڑا امامباڑا, Hindi: बड़ा इमामबाड़ा) is an imambara complex in Lucknow, India, built by Asaf-ud-daulah, Nawab of Lucknow, in 1784. It is also called the Asafi Imambara.
Bara means big, and an imambara is a shrine built by Shia Muslims for the purpose of Azadari. The Bara Imambara is among the grandest buildings of Lucknow.
Contents
Building Composition
The complex also includes the large Asfi mosque, the bhulbhulayah (the labyrinth), and bowli, a step well with running water. Two imposing gateways lead to the main hall.
Relief Measure
The Bara Imambara was built in 1783, a year of a 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. According to reports, the famine continued for over a decade and the construction of the building continued for this time. It is said that ordinary people used to work in the day building up the edifice, while noblemen and other elite were called at night to break down all the structure raised, as they were incapable of doing anything else, according to a chronicle of the period. This see-saw efforts continued till the famine period was over. It was a project that preceded a Keynesian like intervention for employment generation.
Architecture
The simple grave of Asaf ud-Daula under a canopy inside the Bara Imambara; a watercolor by Seeta Ram, c.1814-15The architecture of the complex reflects the maturation of ornamented Mughal design, namely the Badshahi Mosque - it is one of the last major projects not incorporating any European elements or the use of iron. The main imambara consists of a large vaulted central chamber containing the tomb of Asaf-ud-Daula. At 50 by 16 meters and over 15 meters tall, it has no beams supporting the ceiling, and is one of the largest such arched constructions in the world. There are eight surrounding chambers built to different roof heights, permitting the space above these to be reconstructed as a three-dimensional labyrinth with passages interconnecting with each other through 489 identical doorways. This part of the building, known as a popular attraction, and often the whole complex may be referred to as the bhulbhulayah. It is possibly the only existing maze in India and came about unintenionally to support the weight of the building, constructed on marshy land. Asaf-ud-Daula also erected the 18-m (59-f high Rumi Darwaza, just outside. This portal, embellished with lavish decorations, was the Imambara's west facing entrance. [1]
The design of the Imambara was obtained through a competitive process. The winner was an architect Kifayatullah, who also lies buried in the main hall of the Imambara. It is another unique aspect of the building where the sponsor and the architect lie buried besides each other.
Legend
There is also a blocked (tunnel) passageway which, according to legends, leads through a mile-long underground passage to a location near the Gomti river. Other passages are rumoured to lead to Faizabad (the former seat of power of the Nawabs), Allahabad and even to Delhi. They exist but have been sealed after a period of long disuse as well as fears over the disappearance of people who had purportedly gone missing, while exploring.
Gallery
Asfi Mosque
Gateway
Domed Chamber & Hallway
Corridors
Bowli & Bhulbhulaiya
Taziya & Zari
Miscellaneous
See also
References
Lucknow division topics General Awadh • University of Lucknow • Firangi Mahal • United Provinces of Agra and Oudh • Bara Imambara • Chhota Imambara • Lucknow Zoo • The Pioneer (Indian newspaper)Mythology, history Districts Rivers, dams, lakes Languages, people Transport NH 24B • NH 25 • NH 25A • NH 56 • NH 56A • NH 56B • Amausi Airport • Lucknow-Kanpur Suburban Railway • Charbagh Railway StationIndustries Feroj Gandhi Unchahar Thermal Power PlantWildlife sanctuaries Lok Sabha constituencies See also Cities and towns in Hardoi district • Cities and towns in Lakhimpur Kheri district • Cities and towns in Lucknow district • Cities and towns in Raebareli district • Cities and towns in Sitapur district • Cities and towns in Unnao district • Villages in Hardoi district • Villages in Lakhimpur Kheri district • Villages in Lucknow district • Villages in Raebareli district • Villages in Unnao district • People from Hardoi • People from Lakhimpur Kheri • People from Lucknow • People from Raebareli • People from UnnaoOther Divisions Agra • Aligarh • Allahabad • Azamgarh • Bareilly • Basti • Chitrakoot • Devipatan • Faizabad • Gorakhpur • Jhansi • Kanpur • Meerut • Mirzapur • Moradabad • Saharanpur • VaranasiCategories:- Shi'a shrines
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- Visitor attractions in Lucknow
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