The Oudh architecture developed during the rule of the Nawabs of Awadh in Lucknow. Some key developments included Asaf-Ud-Dowlah shifting the capital to Lucknow and overseeing the construction of the iconic Asafi Imambara and Roomi Darwaza. The document then describes the distinct features of Lucknow architecture such as the use of fish motifs and chhatris. It provides details on the layout and architectural elements of the Asafi Imambara complex, including the Bara Imambara, Bhulbhulaiya, Baoli, Mosque and Roomi Darwaza. The Imambara features the world's largest vaulted hall and intricately designed labyr

1. HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE
OUDH ARCHITECTURE
PRESENTED BY- AKSHAY
SINGH ROHIT KUMAR
BENGIA RAJEN
SUBMITTED TO- AR. RAJANI SHAKYA
B.ARCH 4th SEMESTER

2.  Fourth Nawab Asaf-Ud-
Dowlah ---- shifted
capital from Faizabad to
Lucknow.
 During his rule:---
 Asafi Imambara and
 Roomi Darwaza,
 built by Raja Tikait Rai
Nawab Wazir (Diwan) of
Awadh, which till date are
the biggest architectural
marvels in the city.
CITY OF NAWABS
INTRODUCTION-

3. The following are distinct features of Lucknow architecture
:
Use of Fish as an auspicious and decorative motif
especially on Gates
The use of Chattar ( umbrella ) as in the Chattar Manzil
 The Baradari ( the twelve doorway pavilions)
Rumi Darwaza, the signature structure of Lucknow
 Enclosed Baghs like Sikandar Bagh
Vaulted halls such as the Asafi Imambara
The labyrinth Bhulbhulaiyan Taikhanas Use of lakhauri
bricks.

4. ASFI IMAMBARA COMPLEX
Bara Imambara ---- Lucknow, India.
Important Nawabi religious building.

5. Built by Asaf-ud-daulah, Nawab of Lucknow, in 1784, to
provide succour to the famine stricken people.
Also called the “Asafi Imambara”.
Bara means big, and an imambara is a shrine built by Shia
Muslims.
Imambara :----
obuilding in which festival of Moharram is celebrated,
oservice in commemoration of deaths of Ali and Hussain
performed at the season,
osometimes used as a mausoleum for the family of the
founder,
o21 examples. 10 in Lucknow.
 Asia’s largest hall without any external support of wood, iron
or stone beams.

6. BUILDING COMPOSITION
The complex also includes the large Asfi mosque, the bhulbhulayah (the
labyrinth), and bowli, a step well.
Two imposing gateways lead to the main hall.
ASFI MOSQUE
BAOLI
BHUL-BHULAIYA

7. ASFI IMAMBARA COMPLEX
Entrance Gateways
Bada Imambada
Bhul Bhulaiya
Baoli
Mosque
Rumi Darwaza

8. ENTRANCE GATEWAYS
Two entrance
gateways on North-
South axis.
Triple arched entrance
gateways.
Arches have 9 cusps.

9. First gateway leads from
the first courtyard to the
second.
Second courtyard
 Square plan
 Circular garden in the center
 Enclosed by arcaded cloisters.
Second gateway
 Similar to the first
 Leads to the main
court with the
Imambara placed on
the South end of the
quadrangle.

10. GATEWAY

11. BADA IMAMBADA
SITE PLAN- ASAFI
COMPLEX

12. ARCHITECTURE
Reflects the maturation of ornamented Mughal design.
No European elements or the use of iron.
 Neither a mosque, nor a mausoleum, but a huge building having
interesting elements.
 Construction of halls and use of vaults show a strong Islamic
influence.
The main imambara consists of a large vaulted central chamber
containing the tomb of Asaf-ud-Daula. Plan---- 50 m x 16 m
Height--- 15 m
Has no beams supporting the ceiling (one of the largest arched
constructions in the world).
Blocked (tunnel) passageway, according to legends, leads to a
location near the Gomti river. Other passages lead to Faizabad (the
former seat of power of the Nawabs), Allahabad and even to Delhi.

13.  Bada Imambada---- a great hall built at the end of a spectacular
courtyard.
 Approached through two magnificent triple-arched gateways.
 The hall is Asia's largest without any external support of wood, iron, or
stone beams.
 16 feet thick roof.
 Weighs nearly 20,000 tons.
 An ingenious method was employed for building the roof.
 Building covered with vaults of very simple forms.
 Construction material---- rubble or coarse concrete of bricks and mud.
 Allowed to stand a year or two to set and dry.
 The centering is then removed.

14. The vault is a more durable form of roof than the most scientific Gothic
vaulting.
3 halls under the same roof.
Central hall---- the Persian Hall.
2 adjoining halls.
The China Hall is square at ground level, becomes octagonal at mid-
height, and 16 sided at the top.
The India Hall has been fashioned like a watermelon.
Persian architect---- Kifayatullah (also lies buried in the main hall of the
Imambara).
Marvelous Acoustics. Even the slightest whisper can be heard at the
other corner of the hall.
On the top terrace, approached through a narrow flight of steps----
“bhulbhulaiya”.
The terrace gives a grand view of old Lucknow with numerous
mosques and minarets on the horizon.

15. BHULBHULAIYAH
Present in the main imambara building.
8 surrounding chambers built to different
roof heights,
 permit the space above
these to be reconstructed
as a labyrinth----
“bhulbhulayah”,
 with passages
interconnecting through
489 identical doorways.
Came about unintentionally to support the
weight of the building.

16. ASFI MOSQUE
MOSQUE
 within the Imambada courtyard
 elegant structure
 flanked by a grand flight of steps
leading to its paved floor.
 Located in the west of the
main courtyard.
 Due to quibla orientation
(towards Mecca) its axiality
strikes a discord with that of
the Bara Imambara.
 Just as enormous as the Bara
Imambara itself.

17. BAOLIS
A baoli consists of two parts:--
--
 vertical shaft from which
water is drawn,
 surrounding inclined
subterranean
passageways, chambers
and steps which provide
access to the well.
Cool, quiet retreats during
summers.
Chambers in some baolis are
seven or eight levels below the
ground level.

18. SHAHI BAOLI (STEP WELL)
BAOLI
 five- storied baoli (step well)
 Called the Shahi-Hammam (royal
bath),
 baoli is connected with the river
Gomti.
 Only first two stories above water,
the rest being perennially under
water.
 Used as a hiding place.
 Used as summer palaces due to
natural coolness
“Shahi Baoli”----eastern side of the Asafi
Imambara complex.
Deep circular well at the eastern end.
Approached through a flight of steps and a
door facing west.
Rectangular plan.
Material---- Lakhauri brick and lime mortar.

19. Entrance---- high portal haying an
unornamented arch (Mehrab).
Series of stairs descending down to
the water reservoir.
On either flanks are rows of three
storeyed Mehrabs.
Water flows in to the baoli through a
large ‘Shah-Jahani’ Mahrab.
Multi--chambered summer place in
the interior.
PLAN AND SECTION- BAOLI

20. MAIN GATE OF BAOLI
FROM INSIDE DIFFERENT LEVELS- BAOLI
CORRIDORS OF BAOLI
DESCENDING STEPS

21. ROOMI DARWAZA
 Constructed in the year 1784 by
Nawab Asaf-ud-daula.
 Construction completed by 1786.
 Example of the fine architectural
style of Awadh.
 Also known by the name of
“Turkish Gateway”.
 Construction material---- lakhori
bricks, brown lime.
 Height--- 60 feet.
 Uppermost part---- octagonal
Chatri (Umbrella) carved
beautifully, approachable by a
staircase.
 The word "Roomi" is derived from
the modern day Rome that used to
be Istanbul (capital city of Eastern
Roman Empire).
 Finest gateway built in Lucknow.
 Highly inspired by a similar

22. Surmounted by an elaborate cupola.
Flanked by low curtain walls pierced by cusped windows.
Octagonal bastions at the sides.
Floral motifs crowning the apex of the inner arch.
Bold and broad lotus petals altered by solid turrets with floral patterns on the outer arch.
Mughal element is noticeable in minarets, crowned by octagonal chhatris.
Apex of the outer arch crowned by an octagonal domed kiosk, adding symmetry and grandeur.
Western side of gateway--- 3 arched openings.
PLAN OF RUMI DARWAZA

23. D
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24. CEILING VIEW
D
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25. CLOSE UP OF FRONT VIEW
TURRETS WITH FLORAL
PATTERN
CHATTRI

26. the end