Sikandar Bagh, formerly known by the British as Sikunder/Sikandra/Secundra Bagh, is a villa and garden enclosed by a fortified wall, with loopholes, gateway and corner bastions, approx. 150 yards square, c. 4.5 acres (1.8 ha), located in the city of Lucknow, Oudh, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was built by the last Nawab of Oudh, Wajid Ali Shah (1822–1887), as a summer residence. The name of the villa signifies '"Garden of Sikandar", after Sikandar Mahal Begum, the Nawab's favourite wife. It was stormed in 1857 by the British during the Indian Rebellion and witnessed within its walls the slaughter of all 2,200 sepoy mutineers who had made it a stronghold during their Siege of Lucknow. The site now houses the National Botanical Research Institute of India.
Gate of Sikandar Bagh, Lucknow, circa 2010. The minarets are reconstructions, post 1883
Wajid Ali Shah, Nawab of Oudh, builder of the Sikandar Bagh
Sikandar Bagh in 1858, viewed from SE British position, showing gateway (left) & breach made in wall of bastion (right) through which stormed the 93rd Highlanders and 4th Punjab Infantry Regiment. Photo by Felice Beato
The Sikandar Bagh Gateway in 1883. From Edward Hawkshaw's Album of Indian Photographs, titled: "1883 Secundra Gate, Lucknow"
The siege of Lucknow was the prolonged defence of the British Residency within the city of Lucknow from rebel sepoys during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. After two successive relief attempts had reached the city, the defenders and civilians were evacuated from the Residency, which was then abandoned.
The Relief of Lucknow, by Thomas Jones Barker
Contemporary plan of the movements during the siege and relief of Lucknow
Sir John Eardley Inglis by William Gush
7th Hussars, charging a body of the Mutineer's Cavalry
