ticketsMember | Make a donation

The Bara Imambara Complex at Lucknow

ca. 1800
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 464
The unknown artist of this work has created a bird’s-eye view of the Bara Imambara complex in the style of a European topographical study. It is a valuable historical record of several parts of the site, which were demolished during the Indian uprising of 1857. The distant gardens and structures seen on the upper left, for example, no longer exist. The Bara Imambara, whose name means “big shrine,” comprises the massive congregational mosque (seen at an angle at the upper right) and several interlocking forecourts. It is an important place of worship for Shia Muslims, who celebrate the religious festival of Muharram. This massive structure was commis-sioned by Nawab Asaf al-Daula of Lucknow as part of a famine-relief project.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Bara Imambara Complex at Lucknow
  • Date: ca. 1800
  • Geography: Made in India, Lucknow
  • Medium: Ink and opaque watercolor on paper
  • Dimensions: Painting: H. 22 1/8 in. (56.2 cm)
    W. 15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Islamic Art Gifts, 2008
  • Object Number: 2008.560
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Black Stork in a Landscape, Opaque watercolor on European paper
Black Stork in a Landscape
ca. 1780
Lady in Elizabethan Costume, Opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper
Lady in Elizabethan Costume
late 17th century
"Shah Jahan on a Terrace, Holding a Pendant Set With His Portrait", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Chitarman Indian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Shah Jahan on a Terrace, Holding a Pendant Set With His Portrait", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Chitarman
recto: dated 1627–28; verso: ca. 1530–50
"Akbar With Lion and Calf", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Govardhan, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Akbar With Lion and Calf", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Govardhan
Mir 'Ali Haravi
verso: ca. 1630; recto: ca. 1530–50
"Bahram Gur Sees a Herd of Deer Mesmerized by Dilaram' s Music", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi, Amir Khusrau Dihlavi Indian, Main support: ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper<br/>Margins: gold on dyed paper
"Bahram Gur Sees a Herd of Deer Mesmerized by Dilaram' s Music", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi
Amir Khusrau Dihlavi
Miskin
1597–98

Related Content

Perspectives

Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.