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| Baroque architecture. Dilkusha Kothi 1858 en.wikipedia.org |
The city of Lucknow, UP has innumerable heritage monuments and invariably most of them were built by the Muslim rulers who had a penchant for impressive architectural style. Such structures are quite imaginative apart from being grand in style. One of the monuments is Dilkusha Kothi that was built in a different style Baroque style of design. The Nawabi rulers had a wide contact with the English officials of the East India company and they used to entertain them by way of throwing parties, etc. Dilkusha is in ruins now and lots of tourists visit this place which was a silent spectator of the great first war of independence against the English company's misrule.
Dilkusha Kothi of Lucknow, UP, the 18th century house, was a major scene of action during the great rebellion of 1857 against the English company. Heavily shelled during the peak of trouble, what we are left with are the remains of the old house- only a few towers and external walls as a monument. Also affected in the shelling were the near-by La Constantia, Residency and the school of La Martiniere. they are located on the banks of Gomti river.
It was built in 1800 for the English resident Major Gore Ouseley, who had a cordial relation with Nawab of Oudh, Nawab Saadat Ali Khan. Initially it was intended for the Nawabs, later modifications were made by Nawab Nasir-ud-Din Haider (1827-1837).to make it a residence of the English representative.
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| Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberlanden.britainexpress.com |
Above image: A well acclaimed Baroque mansion built by architect Sir John Vanbrugh for Admiral George Delaval between 1718 and 1728. It is in the midst of a big garden. Vanbrugh also designed Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard. It was a departure from Georgian architecture (styles prevailing in the English-speaking countries between 1714 and 1830)...........................
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| Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberlanden.bharatpedia.org |
The architect was Sir John Vanbrugh, and the design is very much similar to that of Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland (built in 1721), England designed by him. A fine baroque style of design, Dilkusha Kothi appeared to be a gorgeous structure; photographer Samuel Bourne, dating from 1864–1865 made a depiction in a rare album.
Deviating from the traditional plan of houses, the structure with ribbed walls is not a large one and is built much taller than traditional homes without inner court yard. No doubt, this building was used by an English adventurist to attempt an early balloon ascent in 1830 . As for the popular French neighbor Claude Martin who founded La Martiniere Boys College in 1790, his balloon ascent did not materialize as he died before demonstration.
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| Damaged Dilkusha kothi,Lucknow, India triphobo.com |
Above image: Damaged Dikusha Kothi. It is quite amazing the structure has withstood over 215 summers despite climatic changes. The reason for the damages is not clear.............
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| Damaged Dilkusha kothi,Lucknow, India.ourmyindia.com |
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| 1880 Damaged Dilkusha kothi, Lucknow en.wikipedia.org |
Above image: A picture taken in the 1880s by an unknown photographer shows Dilkusha Kothi in ruins.......................
In 1857 during the great rebellion, Dilkusha Kothi held by Indian insurgents was forcibly recaptured by British forces under the British Commander Sir Colin Campbell and in the ensuing battle this house and the nearby houses received heavy shelling. The photo taken in 1858 shows little evidence of major damage, however the one taken later in 1898 shows the building in a shambles. Historians Roshan Taqui says it was Gen. Henry Havelock of EIC army who died here on 24 Nov 1857 mutiny and not Henry Lawrence. Havelock was buried at Alambagh Kothi, Lucknow.
