The Rumi Darwaza in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, is an imposing gateway which was built by Nawab Asaf-Ud-Daula in 1784. It is an example of Awadhi architecture.[1] The Rumi Darwaza, which stands sixty feet tall, was modeled (1784) after the Sublime Porte (Bab-i-Hümayun) in Istanbul.
It is adjacent to the Asafi Imambara, Teele Wali Masjid in Lucknow and has become a logo for the city of Lucknow. It used to mark the entrance to Old Lucknow City, but as the City of Nawabs grew and expanded, it was later used as an entrance to a palace which was later demolished by the British insurgents.
It is believed that the gate was modelled after a historical gate in Constantinople. Rumi refers to Rûm, the historical name used by the Islamic world to denote the region roughly corresponding to Anatolia, or the dominion of the former Eastern Roman Empire. Therefore, "Rumi Darwaza" in Hindustani literally translates to "Turkish Gate" in English.This massive gate is situated between Bara Imambara and Chota Imambara. This place is generally very much busy all day, and during weekends most of the tourists visit. The streets are redeveloped as it was earlier constructed of hard brick roadways.
This arresting gateway, commissioned by the Nawab in 1784 CE, was meant to outshine the Bab-i-Humayun (Sublime Porte) of the Ottoman Sultans in Istanbul, Turkey. It took the name ‘Rumi’, which means ‘relating to Rome’, as Istanbul was once the capital of Byzantium, the Eastern Roman Empire. This is perhaps why it is also referred to as the ‘Turkish Gate’.
The construction of this massive gate brick and lime were used instead of marble and stone.
The uppermost part of the Rumi Darwaza consists of an octagonal chhatri (umbrella) and a domed rooftop pavilion that can be accessed by staircases. However, these are not open to the public. The arch itself is decorated with intricately carved flowers and designs that also contain traces of Roman architecture. It is said that a lantern used to be placed under the chhatri to illuminate the gateway at night, lighting up jets of water that streamed out of beautifully carved flower buds embedded in the sides of the arch. The effect was hypnotic and intended to make the arch look like a ‘Gateway to Paradise’.
Today, this glorious gateway continues to serve as the main thoroughfare to Lucknow’s Old City. But it is much more than a stunning example of Nawabi architecture. It is a metaphor for Lucknow city.
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