News: Lal Baradari on Lucknow University campus became controversial after fencing, with student protests and debate over access, usage, and heritage restoration.
About Lal Baradari
- Lal Baradari is a historic 19th-century heritage building of the Nawabi era located within the Lucknow University campus, Uttar Pradesh.
- The structure forms part of the former royal gardens of the Awadh Nawabs in the historic Qaisarbagh garden area.
- Construction: It was founded by Nawab Ghaziuddin Haider (the first King of Oudh) in 1814 and completed by his successor Naseeruddin Haider Shah in 1820.
- Purpose: It was built for the convenience of the ruling nobility and European wives.
- Later, it housed a bank and other university establishments before being abandoned due to deterioration.
- Architecture: It is a notable example of Mughal and Nawabi architectural fusion, constructed primarily of lakhauri bricks and carved stone.
- Naming: The building is called Lal Baradari because it is a red-coloured structure and baradari refers to a pavilion with twelve doorways.
- Restoration: Restoration proposals include grants from the Union Ministry of Culture, Archaeological Survey of India restoration work, CSR funding support, and conservation support under Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA).
About Nawab Ghaziuddin Haider
- Nawab Ghaziuddin Haider (reigned 1814–1827) was the last Nawab Wazir of Awadh and the first to officially assume the title of King of Oudh (Padshah-i-Awadh).
- He was the first in Awadh to strike coins in his own name rather than the Mughal Emperor’s.
