Chhota Imambara

Coordinates: 26°51′38″N 80°54′57″E / 26.860556°N 80.915833°E / 26.860556; 80.915833

Chhota Imambara (Urdu: چھوٹا امامباڑا, Hindi: छोटा इमामबाड़ा), also known as Hussainabad Imambara (Urdu: حسینآباد امامباڑا, Hindi: हुसैनाबाद इमामबाड़ा) is an imposing monument located in the city of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. Built by Muhammad Ali Shah, The third Nawab of Avadh in 1838^[1], it was to serve as his own mausoleum. It is also known as the Palace of Lights because of its decorations during special festivals.

The chandeliers used to decorate the interior of this building was brought from Belgium. Thousands of labourers worked on the project to gain famine relief.

It has a gilded white dome and several turrets and minarets. The tombs of Muhammad Ali Shah and other members of his family are inside the imambara. The walls are decorated with Arabic calligraphy.

Outside the imambara is the watch tower called Satkhanda or tower of seven storeys. Though it is called satkhanda, it has only four storeys, as the construction of the tower was abandoned when Ali Shah died. satkhanda is built between 1837-1842 in the time of mohammad ali shah. mohammad ali shah wanted to made it same as kutubmeenaar of delhi and leaning tower of pisa.the main purpose of this construction is moon watching.

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References

1. ^ Tornos India - About Us - Nawabs of Avadh

See also

• Bara Imambara
• Roomi Darwaza
• Chattar Manzil