Ghanta Ghar

HUSAINABAD CLOCK TOWER

In the resplendent city of Lucknow, a towering marvel of modernity pierces the sky – the illustrious Clock Tower, a masterpiece of Moorish design, erstwhile believed to be the largest in the Indian subcontinent. This magnificent edifice, a symphony of stone and steel, is illuminated by a dazzling array of lamps, its beauty further enhanced by the melodic chime of five bells, whose sweet peals echo through the air. Standing tall at 221 feet, this grandiose structure is an exemplar of traditional British architecture, rivaling the iconic Big Ben of London in both splendor and majesty. Its colossal wheels, a marvel of engineering, surpass even those of its London counterpart.

Conceived by the visionary architect of those times- Richard Roskell Bayne, this monumental clock tower was erected at a cost of two lakhs, funded by the benevolent Trustees of the Husainabad Endowment, who wisely invested the legacy of thirty-six lakhs of rupees bequeathed by the illustrious Muhammad Ali Shah, third King of Oudh. Bayne’s masterpiece, a testament to his ingenuity, boasts a intricate machinery comprising wrought-iron sides, gun-metal wheels, and hardened steel pinions, precision-crafted to ensure unwavering accuracy.

This majestic timepiece, a true marvel of modern science, stands as a shining beacon, a testament to the confluence of art and engineering. Its grandeur is a reflection of Bayne’s prolific career, which spanned the construction of bridges, train stations, and bungalows, as well as monumental buildings such as the East India Railway Office, New Market in Kolkata, and Oak Grove School in Mussoorie. His legacy extends to the Thornhill and Mayne Memorial Library and Mayo Memorial in Allahabad, a testament to his enduring impact on India’s architectural landscape.

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