bearing the impress of a foot, supposed to be that of the Prophet, which was brought from Arabia, by a pilgrim, as a sacred relic. During the Mutiny this stone was carried off and the place was still used by the Mutineers as a powder magazine, but the powder had been conveyed from it into the Shah Najaf,when the latter was converted into a place of defence to bar the advance of Sir Colin Campbell on the Residency.
The Mosque is no longer a place of veneration and is a mere crumbling ruin.
38.—SAKANDER BAGH.
This garden was built by Wajid Ali Shah, who gave it to one of his Begums, Sakander Mahal, from whom it derives its name. It is a high walled enclosure of 120 yards square, carefully loopholed all round, with turrets at the angles, and originally contained a garden prettily laid out with a summer house in the centre, which is still standing. Intrinsically there is nothing now in the place deserving of notice; its fame arises from the severe retribution which here overtook the rebels at the final relief of the Residency on 16th November, 1857. (see para-s. 103 and 104).
39.—LAWRENCE TERRACE.
Also known as Choupar Stables, being originally built, in the form of a cross. The building was erected by King Sadat Ali Khan, (1796-1814), and in it were kept the choicest of the King's horses, but, after the annexation, it was converted into barracks for the 32nd Regiment, (see para. 11). The arms east and west were demolished after the Mutiny, and those now existing were converted into apartments and let out at moderate rents. The south end rooms are occupied by the Union Club, which is principally supported by members of the Uncovenanted Service. This place was captured by Sir Colin Campbell on the 16th November, 1857.
The road to the east of the building, leading to the Sikander Bagh, was the route taken by the first relieving force on their advance to the Residency, hence named Outram Road; whilst its continuation along the west side of Government House and the Canal is named after Havelock.
40.—CHOUK.
The Chouk[1] was built in Asaf-ud-daula's time, but of the two gates at each end of it, the southern one is said to
- ↑ Chouk is the principal street of the city where the wealthy native tradesmen reside and transact business in Person or by agents.
