Raj Bhavan (
translation
Translation is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text. The English language draws a terminological distinction (which does not exist in every language) between ''transla ...
: ''Governor House'') is the
official residence
An official residence is the residence of a head of state, head of government, governor, religious leader, leaders of international organizations, or other senior figure. It may be the same place where they conduct their work-related functions. ...
of the
governor of Uttar Pradesh
The following is the list of governors of Uttar Pradesh. The list also includes governors of the United Provinces of pre-independent India as well as Independent India from 15 August 1947 to 25 January 1950. The province was renamed Uttar Prade ...
. It is located in the capital city of
Lucknow
Lucknow (, ) is the capital and the largest city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and it is also the second largest urban agglomeration in Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow is the administrative headquarters of the eponymous district and division ...
,
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh (; , 'Northern Province') is a state in northern India. With over 200 million inhabitants, it is the most populated state in India as well as the most populous country subdivision in the world. It was established in 1950 ...
.
The Raj Bhavan of Uttar Pradesh in Lucknow is over 200 years old.
History
Raj Bhavan used to be ''Kothi Hayat Baksh'' (Hindi: कोठी हयात बकश, Urdu: کوٹھی حیات بکش).
Major General Claude Martin drew the layout of this building.
In the year 1798, after Nawab
Asaf-ud-daula died, the
East India Company
The East India Company (EIC) was an English, and later British, joint-stock company founded in 1600 and dissolved in 1874. It was formed to trade in the Indian Ocean region, initially with the East Indies (the Indian subcontinent and South ...
made
Sadaat Ali Khan the new ruler. The new ruler liked buildings built up in European style by Major General
Claude Martin. As per his wishes the contract for construction of the Kothi was undertaken by Major General Claude Martin.
Major General Claude Martin made the Kothi his residence and he used this building for his safety guards and also for the safety of his armory.
Before India's independence ''Kothi Hayat Baksh'' was declared as a Government House, the official residence of the Governor of
United Provinces of Agra and Oudh
The United Provinces of Agra and Oudh was a province of India under the British Raj, which existed from 1902 to 1921; the official name was shortened by the Government of India Act 1935 to United Provinces (UP), by which the province had been ...
.
After independence its name was changed to Raj Bhavan
Building
The two storied palatial building of Lucknow city was constructed in the eastern side of the city surrounded by greenery. Hayat Baksh means, ''life giving''. The buildings constructed under influence of East India Company were different from traditional Indian style of architecture and these buildings were called Kothis. In Indian style of architecture, it was essential to have courtyard in the house, for which no provision has been made in Kothis. Kothis normally were two storied, with long straight plain wall without any design. The only place for artistic work were the doors and windows, decorated in the Gothic style.
''Kothi Hayat Baksh'' is an airy palatial building with all four sides surrounded with high roofed varandas. Only Raj darbar inside the Kothi is made as per Indian art and sculpture, whereas remaining portion of the Bhavan is completely influenced by western style. The mehrab of Dewan khanas are decorated with flower strips and are painted beautifully with golden colour.
In 1873 under the direction of Sir George Cooper beautiful lawns, fountains and also beautiful sitting rooms were attached
In 1907, one portion of this Kothi was demolished and a ballroom was also added. The ballroom is now a dining hall.
See also
*
Government Houses of the British Indian Empire
References
External links
Governor of Uttar Pradesh
Governors' houses in India
British colonial architecture in India
Government buildings in Uttar Pradesh
Buildings and structures in Lucknow
{{India-gov-stub
hi:आगरा और अवध का संयुक्त प्रान्त