The document discusses the Shahnajaf Imambara in Lucknow, India. It was built in 1814 by Nawab Ghazi-ud-Din Haider as a replica of the Shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf, Iraq. The imambara serves as a place for Shiite Muslims to mourn the martyrs of Karbala. It has architectural similarities to the Iraqi shrine, including two parallel arch enclosures and a flattened dome. The document analyzes the significance, architecture, and design comparisons between the Shahnajaf Imambara and the original Shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf.

1. Shahnajaf Imambara,
Lucknow
Mahdi Zamir
B. Arch II year
D/o Architecture JMI
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2. Introduction
 Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh, also known as
the city of Nawabs.
 It is also famous due to the river known as Gomti flowing
through the city.
 The river was used as the route for transportation of
materials for construction.
 Shahnajaf Imambara is the 3rd most important imambara
in the city built by Nawab Ghazi-ud-Din Haider in 1814.
 Nawabs following the Shiite sect of Islam and built
prominent imambaras in Lucknow.
 Imambara is a place where people gathered and mourn
for the martyrs of Karbala, Iraq.
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3. Aim to Study
 The Aim of the study is to analyse the
architecture of Shahnajaf Imambara and Shrine of
Imam Ali, Najaf in Iraq.
Objectives
• To study the Significance of Imambara.
• To study the similarities of Shrine of Imam Ali
and Shahnajaf Imambara.
• To study the architecture of the two buildings.
Limitation
• Only the caretakers and information panels
were the source of information available on the
site.
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4. SR.
NO.
AUTHOR DATE REVIEW
1. Sadiq K. Abid July 2015 He explained
the historical stages of the emergence of the
shrine of imam Ali, and the events which take
place within it.
2. Rebecca Williamson, Ph.D. Conrad C. Kickert,
Ph.D. and others.
2018 They mentioned about the Najaf which is an
old Islamic traditional city, consisting of a
congregational mosque (Ali’s shrine),
bazaars, and zigzagging narrow alleyways.
3 Sanobar Haider 2016 Sanobar stated that, ”These Imambadas are
the glorious examples of the local
craftsmanship, ambitious engineering,
Monumental imagination and
experimentation in Indo Islamic style of
architecture”.
Literature Review
Research Questions
• Why Shahnajaf Imambara is choosen for the reasearch?
• What is the concept of Imambara?
• How Shahnajaf Imambara is similar to Shrine of Imam Ali?
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Authors mentioned about the evolution of the emergence of the Shrine of Imam Ali and
highlight the architecture of imambaras in Lucknow.

5. Site Context
 Shah Najaf Imambara is located in Hazratganj
near Gomti River.
 It is connected with Rana Pratap Marg on the
south side.
 Moti Mahal Lawn, Botanical Gardens, and Jal
Nigam are in the vicinity .
Connectivity
• There are two entrances of the imambara
North and South Gate.
• North gate is blocked with a barrage due to the
prone to flood.
• South gate is facing towards. the Saharaganj
mall.
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6. Concept of Imambara
Shiaism
 Muslims were divided into two sects Shias and
Sunnis after the demise of Prophet Muhammed.
 Shias were the believer of prophets and imams.
 They built shrines or tomb of imams over their
graves.
 In India the replica of these shrines are knows as
Imambara or house of imam.
 Imambara is generally used for Azadari purpose.
 Arabic word ‘Aza’ with the Persian word ‘dari’
which means mourning.
Imambara
 A sacred place for the believers to visit or ‘Ziyarat’.
 Imambara is a congregation hall where the ‘Zarih’
and ‘Taaziya’ placed over the Shahnasheen.
 Imambara hall is used for the purpose of ‘Majlis’
address by the orator who usually sit on the
‘Minber’.
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7. Case Study
Bara Imambara
 It is divided into 9 segments.
 The grave of nawab is at the center.
 There are 3 halls named China, Persian and
Kharbooza Hall.
Sibtaibnabad Imambara (Lucknow)
• There are 2 big halls in the centre of the
building.
• The square rooms on the right and left
wings.
• The main hall have a raised platform called
shahnasheen where ‘Zari’ is kept.
Gulab Bari or Tomb of Shuja-ud-Daula;
(Faizabad)
• The structure was surrounded by wall
enclosures with gateways.
• Nawab is buried inside the chamber.
• There is a big hall above the chamber.
• The upper floor is crowned with big bulbous
dome.
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8. Shahnajaf Imambara
History
 Shahnajaf Imambara gets its name from a city
called Najaf-E-Ashraf in Iraq.
 The name Najaf comes from the hill in Saudi
Arabia.
 Built by Nawab Ghazi-ud-Din Haider in 1814.
Architecture
 Sorrounded by two parallel arch and wall
enclosure.
 The hall is at the center accessible by 3 wooden
doors.
 The dome is resting on pendentive.
 The design of dome is different from other
imambaras due to flattened in shape.
 The height of the imambara is approx. 21 m (70 ft.)
from plinth which is 1.2 m high.
70 ft
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9. Shrine of Imam Ali,
Najaf, Iraq
 The Shrine of Imam `Ali, also known as Ali
Mosque.
 Imam Ali was the fourth caliph and son-in-law
of prophet Mohhamed.
 In A.D. 786 the first building was constructed.
 As a small hall and a clay dome, with four
doors.
 Additional walls were built around shrine to
accommodate study and rest rooms.
 The current design is of Safavid period,
whose architect was Al-Shaekh Al-Bahaee
proposed a new design in 1621.
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10. Shrine of Imam Ali Shahnajaf Imambara
Design Comparison
 Two parallel arch enclosure around the
shrine.
 Minarets and Clock tower is present.
 Followed Ogee arches.
 Huge Bulbous dome.
 Two parallel arch enclosure around the
imambara.
 Minarets and Clock tower is absent.
 Followed Ogee and Multifoil arches.
 Flattened Dome.
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11. Discussion
 Shahnajaf Imambara is a replica of Shrine of Imam Ali
in Najaf, Iraq.
 It was built by Nawab Ghazi-ud-Din Haider in 1814.
 It is located near Gomti river which was used as trade
route.
 To reduce the distance for the pilgrims.
 Nawabs of Oudh built tombs not for being buried their
but to the mourners for their ‘azadari’.
 There are two gates North and South.
 The North gate was blocked due to prone of flood and
barrage was constructed over there.
 The plan and elevation is much similar to Shahnajaf
and Shrine of Imam Ali.
 There is also a gap in literature about the techniques of
construction used in Imambara.
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12. Thankyou
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