All details about Bada Imambara, Lucknow

1. BADA IMAMBARA
- LUCKNOW

2. • The Bara Imambara was built in the year 1784
by the fourth Nawab of Awadh known as Asaf-
ud-Daula. It was built as a part of a relief
project for a major famine that took place in
the year 1784.
• It is a four-storey building where each floor is
very much different from the other one.
• Designed by architect Kifayt Ullah .
• The complex also includes the large Asfi
mosque, the bhulbhulayah (the labyrinth), and
bowli, a step well with running water. Two
imposing gateways lead to the main hall.

3. ARCHITECTURAL
FEATURES
ENTRANCE :
 The Imambara is
approached by two gates
which are linearly placed
having three arch openings.
 First gateway leads from the
first courtyard to the
second.
 Second Courtyard is square
in plan.
Have circular garden in center.
Enclosed by arcaded cloisters.
MAIN GATE (1st GATE)
SECOND GATE

4. • The Imambara is divided into nine segments, each of
them having different shape and roofing.
• The Central and most impressive bay houses the grave
of the Nawab.

5. • There are three halls under the same roof
namely, China Dish, Persian Hall and Kharbooza Hall
(Melon Shaped), also called as Indian Hall.
• The Persian Hall is the central hall having simply
astonishing in proportions.
The Persian Hall

6. • The China Hall is square at ground level, becomes
octagonal at mid-height, and 16 sided at the top. At
those top, queen used to come so that no one can
see the queen and queen can see everyone.
ROOF

7. • Coming to the second
floor, the walls of the
second floor are such that
the voice or even the
whispers at one corner of
the building can be heard
in the entire floor.
• The Kharbooja Hall or the
India Hall has been
fashioned like a
watermelon.
• The roof, common to
these halls, is flat and in
one piece.
• The acoustics are equally
marvelous. Even the
slightest whisper can be
heard at the other corner
of the hall. So, all the
windows at the top is the
first floor of the
Imambara.
The Kharbooja Hall

8. BHOOL BHULAIYA (
LABYRINTH)
• Third floor is the famous bhool-bhulaiya or
the labyrinth.
• It have passages interconnecting with each
other through 489 identical doorways.
• The first set of steps 45 that lead you to the
first level of the Bhul Bhulaiya.
• The architectural design of this maze has been
implemented in such a way that it makes room
for good air ventilation and penetration of
sunlight. PASSAGES

9. AMAZING ARCHITECTURAL
FACTS
• One of the most amazing thing about the architecture
is that the whole support for the building is hollow and
is made of sugarcane juice, jaggery ( ) and udat
daal.
• The roof of Imam Bara is made up from the rice husk
which make this Imambargah a unique building.
• The central hall of Bara Imambara is said to be the
largest arched hall in the world.
CONSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS :

10. • Except for the galleries in the interior, there is no
woodwork in the entire structure.
• There is also a blocked (tunnel) passageway which,
according to legends, is a secret underground
passageway to the other cities.
• The whole building is made of Lakhanui bricks (small
size bricks) and lime plaster. No wood or metal has
been used in the construction .

11. SITE PLAN – ASAFI COMPLEX

12. PLAN
50 METRES
16
M
PERSIAN HALLChina
Hall
Melon
Hall
50M X 16M
ENTRANCE

13. ELEVATION

14. SECTION