IMAMBADA SIBTAINABAD

Nestled in the heart of Lucknow’s vibrant Hazratganj, the majestic Sibtainabad Imambada, the “Mausoleum of King Amjad Ali Shah” stands as a poignant testament to the city’s rich cultural heritage and the architectural flair of the nawabs of Awadh. Conceived by King Amjad Ali Shah as his final resting place and a venue for Muharram observances, this majestic edifice was commenced in 1847 and meticulously completed by his son, Wajid Ali Shah.

The Imambada’s namesake, “Sibtainabad”, honors the revered grandsons of the Prophet Muhammad, Imam Hasan and Imam Husain. Designed by the visionary architect Husain Ali Khan, its main architecture draws inspiration from the iconic Asafi Imambada, and it is for this reason that this imambada is often referred to as the “Chota Imambada” . The structure’s facades reveal a constancy to traditional Imambada design, boasting five large round-headed arches, superimposed foliated arches, and spacious eaves supported by intricate brackets.

Declared a centrally protected monument in 1919, it went into the hands of Lucknow Improvement Trust (later LDA) in 1921, which allotted portions of the campus to the Anglo Indians, whose families still reside in its sprawling campus. This monument is not only a live Imamabada today, but is also an important tourist destination and has had a tryst with destiny before finally being restored and given a new lease of life.

As one steps inside, the Imambada’s interior reveals itself to be sumptuously decorated with permissible Islamic motifs, executed in a vibrant array of hues. The materials used – small Nawabi-type bricks and stucco – lend an air of elegance to this monumental edifice. Serving as both a tomb and a sacred space, Sibtainabad Imambada houses the mortal remains of King Amjad Ali Shah, his grandson Mirza Javed Ali, and Najmun Nissan Begum, a queen of Wajid Ali Shah.

After years of neglect and disrepair, Advocate S Mohammad Haider Rizvi’s tireless efforts led to the Imambada’s magnificent restoration by the Archaeological Survey of India, being a part of its list of protected monuments. Today, it stands as a thriving testament to preservation, its beauty and majesty captivating all who behold it. This majestic monument remains an essential destination for those seeking to experience the city’s rich cultural heritage.

As Dr. Banmali Tandan, a prolific writer and historian of yore aptly remarks, “The Imambada’s facades reveal a constancy to the standard Imambada design…the interior is sumptuously decorated.” Sibtainabad Imambada’s resurgence from neglect serves as a testament to the power of preservation, ensuring its splendor will endure for generations to come.

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