Bara Imambara (Lucknow)

India / Uttar Pradesh / Lakhnau / Lucknow
 imambara, 1780s construction, tourist attraction
Bara Imambara is an imambara complex built by Asaf-ud-daulah, Nawab of Lucknow, in 1784.

Bara means big, and the term Imambara refers to the residence of the Imam, a religious leader in Islam. The Imambara is of particular relevance to the Shiite Muslims, who gather there to comemorate Muharram. The complex also includes the large Asfi mosque, the bhulbhulayah (the labyrinth), and bowli, a summer palace with running water.

1783 was a year of a devastating famine, and one of Asad-ud-Daulah'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 till the 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.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bara_Imambara
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   26°52'10"N   80°54'46"E

Comments

  • Well described.Place worth seeing and well maintained
  • Jisko na de mola Use de Asuffdola
This article was last modified 7 years ago