Originally there was a high Wall surrounding the palace and during the Mutiny it was strongly defended by the rebels, who were driven from the position by General Havelock, on the 25th September, 1857.
16.—FARHAT BUKSH PALACE.
Until Wajid Ali Shah built the Kaiser Bagh, the Farhat Buksh (i. e., giver of delight) together with the adjoining buildings, formed the principal residence of the Oudh Sovereigns from the time of Sadat Ali Khan, who made great additions and improvements to the building. It originally formed the residence of General Claude Martin, by whom the Palace was built and subsequently sold to Nawab Asuf-ud-daula.
17.—LESSER CHUTTER MUNZIL.
Is a two-storied building surmounted by a dome with a gilt umbrella, and is, at present, occupied by the Small Cause Court, Registration Office and Office of the Department of Land Records and Agriculture, N. -W. P. and Oudh. The two buildings immediately behind it, facing the road leading to the Residency, are the Gulistan-i-Eram[1] (heavenly garden) and Darshanbilas[2] (pleasing to the sight); the former is part of the Museum and Office of the Curator, and the latter the Offices of the Inspector of Schools and Executive Engineer, P. W. Department.
18.—THE LAL BARADARI.
This building, the great throne room, or Coronation Hall, was built by Sadat Ali Khan and set apart for Royal Durbars. On the accession of a new King it was the custom for the Resident to place him on the throne and present him with a Nazar (offering) in token that the British authority confirmed his assumption of the Government. After the death of Nasir-ud-din Haidar, the attempt on the throne by the Padshah Begum and Momma Jan, took place here, which is recorded by Sir W. Sleeman in the second volume of his journey through Oudh; and it was in pursuance of this custom that the insurgents attempted to force the Resident, Colonel Low, to present an offering to Moonna Jan, as he sat on the throne, thinking thus to confirm the usurper’s authority (vide page 122).The Resident was nearly
- ↑ King Nasir-ud-din Haidar is said to have been poisoned in the underground rooms of this palace, vide page l22.
- ↑ This building is also known as the Chowrukhee Kothi, a designation it derives from each of its four sides representing the facade of four different edifices, as. for example, that towards the west, is an imitation of the facade of the Dilkusha Palace.
