Mohurrum festival. By the courtesy of the authorities of the Imambara, one night, the sixth of the moon, is specially set apart for European visitors, who are admitted to all parts of the building to see the illumination up to midnight, after which the native public are allowed access to the place.
About one mile North-West of Husainabad (see map) is the intake pumping station of the Lucknow Water Works, situated at a spot above the city on the right bank of the Gumti.[1]
30.—JAMA MASJID.
The Jama Masjid, or 'Cathedral Mosque,' is used chiefly on Friday as the place of worship by the Mahomedans. This mosque lies due west of the Husainabad Imambara and can easily be identified by the two lofty minarets and three cupolas constructed thereon. It was commenced by Mahomed Ali Shah and intended to excel, in grandeur, the Mosque of Asuf-ud-daula in the Machhi Bawan, but the King did not live to complete it. Subsequently the work was resumed and completed by Begum Mulka Jehan, a surviving member of the Royal family, who is now dead.
The edifice stands on an elevated basement with an open platform in front, fitted with Iavatories for the use of the worshippers. The walls are beautifully ornamented and the arches colored in stucco.
31.—MOOSA BAGH.
Far beyond the Husainabad, in a northerly direction, is the Moosa Bagh, which was laid out as a garden by Asuf-ud-daula, but the house was built by Sadat Ali Khan, who made it his favorite country residence. In his reign wild beast fights used to take place there on the opposite bank of the Gumti. The building is in the English style, and is said to have been designed and constructed by
- ↑ The foundation stone of the Lucknow Water Works was laid by Sir Auckland Colrin, Lieutenant-Governor of the N.-W. Provinces and Chief Commissioner of Oudh, on the evening of the 8th November, 1892, and was opened by Sir Charles Crosthwaite, his successor, on the evening of the 21st July, 1894. "The water is obtained from the Gumti and pumped through at 20 inch rising main three miles long to the three settling tanks at Aish Bugh. From the settling tanks the water is conducted through four filters to an underground clear water reservoir having a capacity of 1,630,000 gallons. The water is then pumped into the mains of the distributing system, which contains some 34 miles of pipes and 300 standposts. The scheme cost about 155 lacs of rupees, and the annunl maintenance charges (including interest on capital and sinking fund) amount to about Rs. 1.30,000." - Morning Post.
