The year 1857 will always be remembered in the records of history because of its dramatic sequence of events. ‘The First War of Indian Independence’ or the Sepoy Mutiny took place in 1857. Lucknow too became one of the seats of that uprising. The Residency was one of the main places of battlement during the siege of Lucknow. The mutineers laid the siege on The Residency in June that year. Almost every Europeans who resided in the city of Awadh took shelter in Residency. It is whispered that almost 3500 people sought shelter during the siege. The siege took place for more than 140 days.
History of Lucknow Residency, Lucknow
Lucknow Residency in Lucknow is essentially a group of buildings that were built in 1800 A.D by the then Nawab of Oudh, Nawab Saadat Ali Khan. It was mainly built in order to serve as the residence for the British Resident General who was a representative in the court of Nawab.
Description of Lucknow Residency, Lucknow
Lucknow Residency was rather a sleepy residence for decades but then came an event, which put it on the world map. The saga of the siege of ‘The Residency’ in Lucknow will go down in the history of India as a courageous attempt done by handful of men, women and children to frustrate the efforts of mutineers. The residence of the palace held together during the continuous gunfire that lasted for a month. The canon balls withered the walls of residency but the palace held unbelievably. Sir Henry Lawrence who bore the responsibility 3500 human lives undertook the defense and counter initiative. On the last day the siege brave hearts surrendered and fall. The reinforcement force rescued the palace in 5 months of time.
In recent times the redbrick ruins of Lucknow’s Lucknow Residency are peacefully bounded by lawns and flowerbeds, but thousands died during the month-long siege. The Residency has been maintained as it was at the time of the final relief, and the devastated walls are still scarred by cannon shot. Even since Independence, things have not changed. A menacing silence engulfs the ruins. The cemetery at the nearby ruined church has the graves of 2000 men, women and children, and that of Sir Henry Lawrence who died defending the empire. There is a worn epitaph near the grave of Sir Lawrence that reads “Here lays the son of Empire who tried to do his duty”.
Lucknow Residency in Lucknow is located near Gomti banks close to Begum Hazrat Mahal Park. You can visit the park at anytime of the year. Hire a cab or auto from the hotel or take a rickshaw to reach one of the major monuments in Lucknow.
