File:Lucknow Album (5) - Dilkoosha.jpg

View No. 5.

This magnificent hunting-box, or country-seat, was built by Saadut Ali Khan. He cleared away the dense jungle surrounding it, and converted the grounds into an immense, well-arranged park, which he stocked with deer and other game, and further so beautifully ornamented the place, that it became the favourite resort of the ladies of the court during the summer months.

During the siege of the Bailie Guard, in 1857, the Dilkoosha was held, in great force, by the enemy, but on the 14th November it was captured by Sir Colin Campbell, when he advanced to the relief of the beleaguered Garrison.

After the formation of the new Cantonment, at Mahomed Bagh, the Dilkoosha was made a residence for the General commanding the Division, and remained so for years; but it has lately been dismantled, and although it is built on an eminence, nothing can now be seen of the once noble edifice, but its bare massive walls and castellated stair-cases. It was on the western slope of the approach to this building, that the rescued Garrison of the Bailie Guard bivouacked, on the night of the 30th November, and attempted to rest their weary limbs, while prevented from sleeping by the tremendous cannonading kept up by the enemy.