Footprints of history

In Lucknow, history is never far away. The innumerable monuments which dot the city’s landscape are a testimony to this. And as the country sets out to observe the 150 years of the First War of Independence it is these edifices which tell a story of their own centred around the tumultuous time.
Be it the numerous gardens, the erstwhile palaces, the majestic ‘kothis’ or even the imambaras, few remained untouched when the Revolt of 1857 broke out.If some buildings did not form part of the actual scene of action they were ransacked by the departing army. In each event they have their own tale to tell which today constitute history. The first outbreak in Lucknow occurred in April 1857. It travelled fast and brought within its ambit the many gardens and buildings mentioned below. they ranged from Alambagh, Sikanderbagh, Constantia, Residency to many more.
The Alambagh once a blooming garden as also the kothi within was built by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah for his chief queen Alam Ara had also witnessed many a tumultuous scene during the uprising. Situated on the Lucknow-Kanpur highway it was here that the patriots had posted themselves with a strong body of cavalry and infantry to take on the British. Despite the stiff resistance offered, General Havelock was able to occupy the Alambagh Kothi.
The besiegers however did not give up. They attacked Alambagh twice again under the revolutionary leader Maulvi Ahmad Ullah Shah. For some time Alambagh was also used as a base by General Outram. Begum Hazrat Mahal is reported to have once appeared in person here to boost the morale of the Indian sepoys. On February 15, 1858 Alambagh was witness to the fiercest battle between the Indians and the British. Casualties were heavy on both the sides. While the British were buried on a plot of land adjacent to the Alambagh Kothi, General Havelock, who died in Dilkusha was brought and buried at Alambagh.
Another garden which witnessed many bloody scenes during the Uprising was Sikanderbagh. Originally covering an area of about 150 square yards and encircled by a wall 50 feet high, the garden and the summer house within was built by Saadat Ali Khan. It was developed into a well-laid out garden with a splendid palace within by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah for his queen Sikander Mahal. It is believed that Sikander Mahal was in her early teens when the Nawab saw her preforming a ‘mujra’ and got totally smitten by her.
This garden which was built for dalliance and pleasure was turned into a battleground during the revolt. On November 10, 1857 when Sir Collin Campbell made his way from La Martiniere to the Residency, the Sikanderbagh lay on his way. He was greeted here by a heavy rattle of musketry from the patriots who effectively protected the gateway and had also loopholed the wall very carefully. It was after a continuous bombing by canons that the forces of Campbell were able to breach the eastern side of the boundary wall. Among the bodies of the Indian soldiers recovered was that of Uda Devi. A Pasi woman attired like a man, it is said, she sat on a tree and shot the British one by one till her ammunition was exhausted and she dropped dead, her body riddled with bullets. The British captured Sikanderbagh.
The other garden which figured prominently was the Musabagh. The garden laid out during the time of Nawab Asaf-ud-daula witnessed the first outbreak of t6he Seventh Avadh infantry. This was also the last position which was held in force by Indian soldiers. Musabagh was captured by Sir James Outram on March 19, 1858. If these gardens witnessed bloody scenes so did many buildings of Lucknow. Constantia was one amongst the them. Popularly referred to a La Martiniere it was here that Campbell had established his personal headquarters. It constituted his base for two days before his advance on Sikanderbagh was made. During the revolt the students of the school were evacuated to the Residency.
To those not very familiar with the city the term ‘revolt’ and Residency are synonymous. The construction of the Residency began in 1780 and was completed in 1800 during the time of Nawab Saadat Ali Khan. It was meant to serve as a residence for the British resident. When news about outbreak in Meerut reached Lucknow, the British huddled their women, children and non combatants into the Residency. The siege of the Residency began on July 1 1857. On the second day of the siege Sir Henry Lawrence was mortally wounded by a shell from an eight-inch Howitzer. The military command was assumed by Brigadier Inglis and the civil by Major Banks.
The British suffered heavy losses. It was eventually abandoned by them on November 22, 1857 midnight.