'Relics of Bygone Age Chanters at Stake'
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‘Relics of Bygone age chanters at stake’ The walls and floors of the historic monuments themselves speak about their elegance, struggle and stories. Even if they haven’t made much relevance or mark in our history chapters but their contribution towards history can’t fade. Our historical monuments speak lot about our culture, tradition, communities, their social practices, architecture and the city. Not just few, they all should be taken care of by the government and even civilians should be aware of them all. 13 Butler Park in compared to Ambedkar Park This Park is named after Sir Spencer Harcourt Butler, was the first governor of United Provinces of Agra and Oudh (now Uttar Pradesh, India). The sad part is that this park is in poor state. Whereas, a park named after Dr. Bhimroa Ambedkar is constructed in an area of 4 acres (16,207 sq. m.), this Butler Park, Kaiser Bagh, Lucknow place has murals made of bronze. The entire memorial is built using red sandstone brought from Rajasthan. It is situated in the posh locality of Gomti Nagar. Cost of the memorial is estimated at 7 billion rupees. The sheer maintenance or preservation of this heritage park seems tough on government’s budget. Though the responsibility of preservation primarily rests with the ASI and the government but what is more important that the citizens of Lucknow come forward and own up responsibility to save Lucknow’s gold and silver heritage. Dr Bhimroa Ambedkar Memorial, Gomti nagar, Lucknow. 14 Kaiser Bagh Circle in compared to Madan Mohan Malviye Circle Even after loosing its prominance, the Ashok stambh (at Kaiser Bagh Circle), elegantly stands tall at the midst of one of the most hustle-bustle area of the city. It was built by the mughals in mid 18th century. Till now neither the area around it nor this circle has ever witnessed Kaiser Bagh Circle, Kaiser Bagh, Lucknow the much deserved consideration or maintanence by the government. Where as, on the other hand, Madan Mohan Malviye circle, constructed under the government of Uttar Pradesh (2008-12) had spent crores of rupees for it. If we compare the land area used for both the circles, then Kaiser Bagh Circle wouldn’t be even half of it and government wouldn’t have to spend even half of the (construction money that was used for Madan Mohan Malviye Marg) money for Kaiser Bagh Circle’s beautification. Which it well-deserves; as it adds on to one of the rich heritages of Lucknow. Madan Mohan Malviye Circle, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow 15 Gomti River-front in compared to Rifa-e-aam Gomti River-front is being constructed by the channelization of gomti river (8.1 km) and trunk drain which has costed over 976 crores of rupee to the government of Uttar Pradesh (2012-17). On the other hand, the building Rifa-e-aam, in which the famous “Lucknow Pact of 1905” was signed, stand in absolute disgust. Gomti River-front, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow Today this place is in deteriorating condition. It is hard to take a round of the building. The reason behind it is that this place is used as garbage dumping site by encroachers, rag-pickers and trespassers. No government agency or Municipal Corporation takes heed of this place. However, local people, literary lovers, social workers and budding writers have raised their voices for the restoration of this glorious place. Rifa-e-aam, Golagunj, Lucknow 16 Picture Gallery in compared to Janeshwar Mishra Park Picture Gallery, Chowk, Lucknow Housed in bright red stone building with a large pond in front of it, the Picture Gallery of Lucknow is beautifully set against the canvas of old part of the city. It was built by Nawab Mohammad Ali Shah in 1838. Despite of being the richest, oldest and most celebrated, it has been the worst heeded one. The gallery acts as the sole museum- like structure in the city that houses legendary paintings those have turned priceless over time. Janeshwar Mishra Park was build by the gov. of Uttar Pradesh(2012-17) The site measures around 376 acres of land. It was developed with a cost of 168 crores. The park was modelled with Hyde Park in London as an Janeshwar Mishra Park, Gomti Nagar Extension, Lucknow inspiration! More than our history. 17 Lakhi Gate in compared to Ambedkar Gate At the time of 1847 to 1850 this gate was built by the last Mughal emperor of Lucknow Nawab Wazid Ali Shah. This gate was built within the cost of a lakh rupee at that time. Baring the front appearance of gate, the rest adjoining part has been encroached by the residents. In fact, minimum maintenance and consideration is given to this heritage of the city by the government of Uttar Pradesh. Lakhi Gate, Kaiser bagh, Lucknow The complete and timely maintenance of this heritage is bit tuff for the Uttar Pradesh government. Whereas, the construction done by them in the city involving crores of rupees for the beautification prospect seems easy. Government of Uttar Pradesh (2008-12) would have aimed at something grand but they could have only achieved ‘massive’. Scale, while being an important attribute, is nothing if grandeur and artistry are missing. And, that is the problem with the entire Ambedkar constructions in the city. It took 700 crores to build the entire memorial. Ambedkar Gate,Gomtinagar,Lucknow 18 1090 circle in compared to Gol Darwaja Yet another circle, called 1090, it was built by the government of Uttar Pradesh (2005-12) at Gomti Nagar, Lucknow. The time to time construction that is being done by the government involving cores of rupees has always been a child’s play in Lucknow, be it under city’s beautification prospect or making marks of their regime. 1090 circle, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow The Gol Darwaja at chowk, Lucknow, a celebrated Muslim mystic settled in Lucknow in about 1450. Although, it’s almost on the verge of losing its beauty and prominence. It has been authentically covered by the billboards, banners and especially encroachments at such historical heritages has always been a birth right of people. The association’s and shop’s advertisement carries more relevance than the labelling of this 14th century historical monument. Gol Darwaja, Chowk, Lucknow 19 Akbari Gate in compared to Lohiya Gate Akbari Gate, of Chowk, Lucknow was built during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jalal- ud-din-Muhammad Akbar (1556-1605). The sad part of the story pertaining to this monument is that it was built during the reign of the mighty Akbar, and now it’s on the verge of serious deterioration. The Akbari Darwaja has not been maintained for years and its condition is worsening day-by-day. Although the monument is a part of the Heritage walk of Lucknow, a tourism program organised by the government Akbari Gate, Chowk, Lucknow Government of Uttar Pradesh. Whereas, a very recently build Lohiya gate (Dwar) near CM’s Residence is somewhat a replica of the Mughal’s architecture (Minars and Domes) but ironically the actual ones like mentioned above and in previous pages have lost their relevance in today’s date. Lohiya Gate (Dwar), CM’s Residence, Lucknow 20 Few more to go…Which are incredibly incomparable! • Jarnail Kothi and Badi Chattar Manzil The building now known as Jarnail Kothi was constructed in Nawab Saadat Ali Khan’s time (1798 to 1814). The first resident was Shas-ud- Daulah, the Nawab’s eldest son and the general of his army. Jarnail Kothi, Kaiser Bagh, Lucknow The Badi Chattar Manzil was begun by King Ghazi-ud-din Haider and completed by his son King Nasir -ud-din Haider. It served as a palace for the rulers of Avadh and their wives. In fact, both buildings have been standing in despair since past few centuries. Badi Chatter Manzil has observed recent renovation work but does this amount of consideration given by the government is enough to ever justifies its relevance. Whereas, ever since Jarnail Kothi hasn’t received any such face-lift. Badi Chatter Manzil, Kaiser Bagh, Lucknow 21 • Western Kaiser Bagh Gate and Saddat Ali Khan Mubarak At the time of 1847 to 1850 this gate was built by the last Mughal emperor of Lucknow Nawab Wazid Ali Shah. This gate was built within the cost of a lakh rupee at that time. Baring the front appearance of gate, the rest adjoining part has been encroached by the shop keepers, banners and posters. Western Kaiser Bagh Gate, Kaiser Bagh, Lucknow In fact, minimum maintenance and consideration is being given to this heritage of the city, by the government of Uttar Pradesh. Saddat Ali Khan Mubarak, was built by his son Gazi-ud-Din-Haider in 1814. As the matter of fact, both these historical monuments have been long deprived from their deserving preservation and maintainance by the government of Uttar Pradesh. Unless these historical buildings don’t fall under the verge of its acute deterorioting state, the government doesn’t bother to take any firm initiatives in order to restore them. Unfortunately, the younger generation of the city aren’t even aware of all the historical monuments of the city barring few suh as Bada Immambara,Chota Immambara, Clock tower etc. Sadaat Ali Khan Mubarak, Kaiser Bagh, Lucknow 22 • Two gates at the either sides of Chota Imambara One of the gate that closes Chota Immambara, Chowk, Lucknow These two gates that were built by Mohammed Ali Shah in 1838. Although, both the Imambaras of Chowk are of much attraction but the condition of these two gates have deteriorated and lost their relevance to the extent that hardly its name is ever pronounced either in the glory or in history of Lucknow.