Architecture of Lucknow

The Lucknow School of Architecture was an interesting experiment by the resurgent Nawabs of Awadh. It was an attempt to preserve the Mughal school of architecture by experimenting with different materials and innovating new concepts.

Among the extant Lucknow Architecture we find two broad categories of buildings:

Religious buildings like : Imambaras, Mosques and other Islamic Shrines

Secular structures like : Enclosed Gardens, Baradaris, Palace Complexes.

The following are distinct features of Lucknow architecture :

*Use of Fish as as a decorative motif especially on Gates
* The use of Chattar ( umbrella ) as in the Chattar Manzil
* The Baradari ( the twelve doorway pavilions)
* Darwaza like Roomi Darwaza
* Enclosed Baghs like Sikandar Bagh
* Vaulted Halls like in the Asafi Imambara
* The labyrinth Bhulbhulaiyan
* Taikhanas]