Page:The Imperial Gazetteer of India - Volume 8 (2nd edition).pdf/519

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l. L'CKJ’O W on: 5c9

Nan-ab purchased from (icncral Martin. The remainder he himself constructed. The great throne-room, known as the Kasr-us-Sultén or lull denri. was set apart for royal darbérr; and at the accession of a new sovereign, it was customary for the British Resident to seat him on the throne, and present hint with a wear. in token of his confirmation in the sovereignty by the supreme power. Sandal Ali Khan also built all that portion of Lucknow which stretches eastward front the old Hindu wards, besides numerous small palaces, including the Dilkusha, which stands on high ground outside the city, north of the modern cantonntcnts, affording a splendid view of the town, the river, and the surrounding country. In his time, Lucknow finally reached very nearly its present size.

Gltjzi-ud-din llaidar, sort of Sadtlat Ali Khan 08(4), was the first of his line 1who bore the name of king. lle built the greater part of the pile known as the .\loti Mahal palate. around the Moti Mahal dome of his father. Along the river face. he added the Mubarak Manzil and the Shah Manzil, on either side of the old bridge of boats. The latter formed the scene of the wild-beast fights for which the court of Oudh was famous up to the date of its extinction. Ghazl-ud-din Haidar also erected the Chini Mair, the Chatter Manzil Kala’tn, \\lllch faces the river, and the Chattar Manzil Khurd in its rear. The Shzih Najaf, on the banks of the Gtirnti, he built for his own tomb ; and on the spot formerly occupied by his house when heir-apparent. he raised two magnificent tnausoleums to his father and mother. He attempted to dig a canal for irrigation, which now skirts the east and south sides of the city; but it proved a failure, so far as economith results were con- cerned. The Kadam Rasul or ‘ Prophet’s Footprint,’ a Muhammadan place of worship. built by (ihzizi-uddt‘n, stands upon an artificial mound, and formerly contained a stone bearing the impress of the Prophet‘s foot. A pilgrim brought the holy relic from Arabia; but during the troubles of r857 it disappeared, and has not since been recovered.

Nasirsud-din Haidar, son of the last-named monarch (1827), founded the 'l‘ariwt’tli Kothi or ‘ Obsenratory,’ under the superintendence of Colonel Wilcox. his astronomer-royal. It contained several excellent instruments. On the death of Colonel Wilcox in 1847. Wéjid Ali Shah dismissed the establishment, and the instruments disappeared during the Mutiny, being probably broken up by the rebels. The Faizabéd Mault'i, Ahmadmllzi Shah, made it his head-quarters during the rebellion, and the insurgent council frequently held its meetings within the building. Nash-uddin also built a great karba/a in lrddatnagar, under which he lies buried.

Muhammad All Shah, uncle of Naslr-ud-dln Haidar (1837), raised his own monument, the magnificent Husdinabad Imambara. It consists of two enclosures, one of which stands at right angles to the other. Leaving