This 18th-Century Monument In Lucknow Hides A Massive Hall, 1,000-Passage Maze, Built To Provide Jobs During Famine

Uttar Pradesh’s capital, Lucknow, is a city steeped in history and culture. It’s known for its rich heritage, vibrant traditions and mouth-watering cuisine and has been ruled by various dynasties, including

the Mughals and the Nawabs of Awadh.

While the city has several popular monuments, the one architectural wonder that precedes them all is the Bara Imambara. Located in the Hussainabad area near the Gomti River, it was built in 1784 by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula. This major landmark is known for its massive, beam-free central hall and the intricate Bhool Bhulaiya labyrinth.

In the video going viral, content creator Shailly Tayal takes viewers on a virtual tour of Bara Imambara. It remains one of India’s most prominent architectural marvels, primarily serving as a place of worship and mourning for Shia Muslim.

Bada Imambara: Main Hall

One of the key aspects of the monument is its Main Hall, famously known for having the largest arched hall in the world without any external support from beams or pillars. The hall stretches over 50 metres in length and stands 15 metres high. While the walls here are 16ft thick, if one whispers on one side, the other one can hear it from the other side of the wall.

Located above the main hall is the world-famous maze consisting of nearly 1,000 interconnected passages and 489 identical doorways. “All this was built hundreds of years ago when this region was facing a famine. People didn’t have jobs, so the nawab hired 20,000 labourers and paid them for 10+ years to build this place,” Shailly said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shailly Tayal (@shailly_tayal)

The Mosque Within

Bara Imambara also features a beautiful mosque within the compound, which has three bulbous domes and intricate stucco work, though entry is restricted to worshippers. The imposing 60-foot gateway that stands just outside the main complex is called the Rumi Darwaza and it serves as the iconic entrance to old Lucknow.

The monument usually opens from 6 am to 5 pm and is closed on Mondays. The entrance fee to its premises is Rs 50 for Indian citizens and Rs 500 for foreign tourists.

‘They Do Not Make These Anymore’

As soon as the video went viral, the internet poured in appreciation for the architectural marvel, “They don’t make architecture like this anymore.” Another commented, “It looks beautiful. I have to go!”

One acknowledged the city’s historical importance, “The nawabs built such fascinating structures and that too just to keep people employed.”