Vidhan Bhawan Lucknow

Lucknow is dotted with structures from the Mughal, Nawab, and British eras. Of these, the last stand out from the other due to the marked difference in the style of architecture. Vidhan Bhawan (state assembly), the seat of the bicameral legislature in Uttar Pradesh, is one of the finest examples of Indo-European architecture with an overwhelming influence of Gothic elements. When viewed from a distance, this one of the top places to see in Lucknow looks akin to a palace.

On national events like Independence Day and Republic Day, this historical site in Lucknow is bedecked with lights, and its beauty is enhanced manifold.

History of Vidhan Bhawan

Allahabad, or what is today known as Prayagraj, was the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh till the early 20th century. In 1922, a decision was taken to shift the capital to Lucknow. It was on December 15, 1922, that the then Governor, Sir Spencer Harcourt Butler, laid the foundation stone of Vidhan Bhawan, then known as the Council House.

The design of the building was conceived by two eminent architects of the time, Sir Swinton Jacob and Shri Heera Singh. The total expenditure of the building was estimated to be 21 lakh rupees, a tremendous amount of money at that time. It took about five years to complete its construction. The magnificence of the building perfectly reflects the exorbitant amount spent on its construction.

Architecture of Vidhan Bhawan

It can hardly be argued that the Vidhan Bhawan is an example of a magnificent Indo-European architecture of the 20th century. The entire structure is two-storeyed and shaped in the form of a crescent.

It was carved from light brown sandstone blocks brought from Mirzapur, which in the local language is known as “Chunar”. An enormous Gothic-styled dome is positioned in the middle of this palatial structure. The facade of the dome is adorned with various images carved from sandstone.

These play a huge part in making it visually appealing. The portico of Vidhan Bhawan, one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Lucknow, consists of three archways topped by the state emblem which is carved in marble. The roof is also as beautiful as the dome, as it is decorated with numerous figures of dancing peacocks. The entrance hall is also marked on both sides by circular marble staircases. The arches on the lower part of the structure do well to lend their utmost grace and style.