The Lucknow Album/Mote Mahal
MOTE MAHAL.
View No. 16.
This building was constructed by Newab Saadut Ali Khan : it owes its name to a superstructural projection, not a dome, in a semi-almond form, without any timber supports, but entirely of masonry, which gave the fancied resemblance to the curve of a pearl : this answers to the word " Mote." — Mahal can only be translated as " seraglio," or, " Zenana Khana ;" the whole name, then, amounts to, the " Pearl Seraglio." It never was used as a seraglio, and appears to have been built for purposes of defence, or check, on the advance of an enemy ; in short, it may be described as the beau-ideal of a miniature citadel : it is prettily situated on the banks of the Goomtee, and is connected with a range of buildings known as the " Mubarik Munzil" and the " Shah Munzil." These buildings were appropriated to no particular purposes ; except the last-named, from which the King used to witness wild sports, of the Spanish Bull fight, or the Roman Coliseum, order. The smaller wild beasts used to fight within the enclosure ; here also tiger combats were indulged in ; but the elephant and rhinoceros encounters, which had to be viewed at a safe distance, were performed on the opposite side of the Goomtoe, on level ground in front of Hazaree Bagh. The British Resident, no doubt much to his disgust, used out of courtesy to attend these exhibitions.
Upon the annexation of the province, the " Mote Mahal" was used temporarily as a Commissariat store. It has since been purchased from Government by the Maharajah of Bulrampore, who has entirely changed the aspect of the buildings and of the surrounding country ; the " pearl dome," formed in defiance of all mathematical rules of architecture, has disappeared, and the buildings comprising the " Mote Mahal" have assumed a grand Baronial appearance, in keeping with their romantic history.
Like all other buildings on record, the " Mote Mahal" was enclosed by a high wall and, in 1857, was strongly fortified by the rebels. It had, like the rest, to be taken by storm, which was accomplished by Sir Colin Campbell, who made it a depot for heavy guns and spare stores. It was here that Brigadier General Cooper commanding the Artillery, Lieutenant Crumb, Madras Artillery, and Dr. Bartram lost their lives ; Colonel Campbell also received a wound that, in a few days, proved mortal. One, however, was fortunate, that was Private Duffy, of H. M.'s 90th, who recaptured a gun that the enemy had taken, for which act of gallantry he was rewarded with the V. C.
On the left of the road will be seen the—
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