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Read More on Dilkusha Kothi
History
This monument is a paradise for history buffs, if you are a history lover then you must have Lucknow on your bucket list. The Dilkhusha Kothi Lucknow is a monument that was built under the supervision of a British resident named Major Gore Ouseley in the 18th century. It is believed that he was a good friend of the Awadh ruler, Nawab Saadat Ali Khan.
The structure was brought to life to serve as a hunting lodge for the Nawabs however it was also used by them as a holiday resort. Being in this Kothi during the summer season was relaxing and calming due to its closeness to the Gomti river. Back in those days, the Dilkusha Kothi was used by the wives of Nawabs. This was their escape home where all the Begums gathered to relax and have a mini picnic.
The Dilkusha Kothi Lucknow changed the rule of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. He was so impressed by the Kothi that he decided to build one for himself. He built another Kothi right next to the Dilkusha Kothi. He did so because he wished to organize military training there.
Although he had no such motives, his idea of building a similar Kothi ended up offending the British. The Britishers then ordered him to halt any kind of activity there and the Nawab felt extremely frustrated. The matter escalated so much that the British rule forced the Nawab to abdicate. Later he was illegally deposed as he refused to sign certain documents.
Architecture
The 18th-century structure was planned to be a three-storeyed structure, it also consisted of a basement. The Dilkusha Kothi has well-maintained gardens surrounding it, that sum up the beauty that the ruins hold. There were 4 octagonal towers followed by a grand flight of stairs. The stairs led towards the central doorway. There were tall and strong pillars that reached the second floor. Near the fencing stood the statue of a female adding to the beauty of the gardens.
The structure resembles the one located in Northumberland known as the Seaton Delaval Hall. All we see today are the ruins because the Dilkusha Kothi failed to stand the test of time. The huge structure doesn’t fail at giving you a hint of its lavish past.
Activities
- You can come here with friends and enjoy a picnic.
- You can come here and read.
- History buffs can come here and enjoy the sight of the ruins.
- You can even click pictures.
Tips for visiting
- Wear comfortable clothes.
- Carry along a water bottle and some packed edibles.
- Keep the premise clean and use a dustbin to dispose of waste,
- Do not exert pressure on the ruins as they are weak in themselves.
- Click pictures to your heart's content.
Best time to visit
A suitable time to visit the Dilkusha Kothi in Lucknow is from September to March. Avoid visiting the city in the summers as it gets extremely hot and you may end up feeling dehydrated.
Nearby Atractions
- Charbagh Railway Station
- National Botanical Research Institute
- Gurudwara Yahiyaganj
- Lord Hanuman Temples of Aliganj
- Sikandar Bagh
- Jain Temple
- Vidhan Bhawan
- Buddha Temple
- La Martiniere
- Shaheed Smarak
Nearby market/ shopping places
- Aminabad: Shop here does not have fixed prices so you can bargain. At this market, one purchase some of the famous items like jewelry, chikan sarees, chikan kurtas, wedding dresses, fashion garments, kitchen utensils, and home accessories.
- Janpath Market: Janpath is filled to the brim with visitors and the street has a lot of showrooms as well as stores. One can purchase ittars from here to gift others and use for themselves. Some more things one can purchase here are leather goods, books, fashionable clothing, traditional ethnic clothes, and chikankari fabrics.
Nearby Hotels
- Lebua Lucknow
- Golden Tulip Hotel Lucknow
- Hotel Deep Palace
- Hotel Myriad
- Radisson Lucknow City Center
- Clarks Avadh
- Hotel Continental
Interesting Facts About Dilkusha Kothi
- Not many know that this structure had such a vintage charm that a British actress named Mary Linley Taylor who owned a home in Seoul named it after the Kothi.
- The structure was brought to life to serve as a hunting lodge for the Nawabs however it was also used by them as a holiday resort. Being in this Kothi during the summer season was relaxing and calming due to its closeness to the Gomti river.
