The Bara Imambara (), also known as the Asafi Imambara, is a significant imambara and

mosque A mosque ( ), also called a masjid ( ), is a place of worship for Muslims. The term usually refers to a covered building, but can be any place where Salah, Islamic prayers are performed; such as an outdoor courtyard. Originally, mosques were si ...

complex located in

Lucknow Lucknow () is the List of state and union territory capitals in India, capital and the largest city of the List of state and union territory capitals in India, Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and it is the administrative headquarters of the epon ...

, in the state of

Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh ( ; UP) is a States and union territories of India, state in North India, northern India. With over 241 million inhabitants, it is the List of states and union territories of India by population, most populated state in In ...

, India. Built by Asaf-ud-Daula, the

Nawab of Awadh The Nawab of Awadh or Nawab of Oudh was the title of the rulers of Kingdom of Awadh (anglicised as Oudh) in northern India during the 18th and 19th centuries. The Nawabs of Awadh belonged to an Iranian dynasty''Encyclopædia Iranica'', R. B. B ...

, in 1784, it is the world's second largest imambara, after the Nizamat Imambara. The imambara building is among the grandest buildings of Lucknow, and is a

Monument of National Importance A monument is a type of structure that was explicitly created to commemorate a person or event, or which has become relevant to a social group as a part of their remembrance of historic times or cultural heritage, due to its artistic, historical ...

, administered by the

Archaeological Survey of India The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is an Indian government agency that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural historical monuments in the country. It was founded in 1861 by Alexander ...

History

The construction of Bara Imambara started in year 1780, a year of devastating famine. One of Asaf-ud-Daula's objectives in embarking on the 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 edifice, while

noblemen Nobility is a social class found in many societies that have an aristocracy. It is normally appointed by and ranked immediately below royalty. Nobility has often been an estate of the realm with many exclusive functions and characteristics. Th ...

and other elite worked at night to break down anything that was raised that day. It was a project that preceded a

Keynesian Keynesian economics ( ; sometimes Keynesianism, named after British economist John Maynard Keynes) are the various macroeconomic theories and models of how aggregate demand (total spending in the economy) strongly influences economic output an ...

-like intervention for employment generation. Construction of the imambara was completed in 1784. The estimated cost of building the imambara ranged 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.

Architecture

The building complex also includes the large Asfi

, the Bhul-bhulaiya (the labyrinth), and Bowli, a steep well with running water. Two gateways lead to the main hall. The 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 and over 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 In Greek mythology, the Labyrinth () is an elaborate, confusing structure designed and built by the legendary artificer Daedalus for King Minos of Crete at Knossos. Its function was to hold the Minotaur, the monster eventually killed by the h ...

with passages interconnecting with each other through 489 identical doorways. This part of the building, and often the whole complex, may be referred to as the ''Bhulbhulaiya''. It is a popular attraction among the locals as well as the tourists and is possibly the only existing maze in India. It came about unintentionally to support the weight of the building, which is constructed on marshy land. Asaf-ud-Daula also erected the high Roomi Darwaza outside the complex. The portal, embellished with lavish decorations, was the imambara's west-facing entrance. The Bara Imambara is among the grandest buildings of Lucknow. The design of the imambara was acquired through a competitive process. The winner was a Delhi architect Kifayatullah, 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.

Gallery

The simple grave of Asaf al-Daula under a canopy inside the Imambara - British Library Add.or.4758.jpg, The simple grave of Asaf ud-Daula under a canopy inside the imambara; a watercolor by Seeta Ram, Imambara of Asaf-ud-daula interior.jpg, The imambara interior KITLV 91964 - Unknown - Gateway to Husainabad Imambara in Lucknow in India - Around 1860.tif, Rumi Darwaza, the gateway to Husainabad Imambara, Bada Imambada(Outer view).jpg, The outer view of the imambara Asfi masjid.jpg, The Asfi mosque, located within the imambara complex

Notes

References

External links