The British Residency, Lucknow - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 4 km from Lucknow Junction, the Residency is a residential complex of the Nawabi era located in the Qaisar Bagh area of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Also called the British Residency, it is one of the prominent tourist places in Lucknow.

The construction was started by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula in 1775 and was completed by Nawab Saadat Ali Khan in 1800 AD. Protected & maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, the Residency complex was constructed for the British residents. However, it was served as a refuge camp for approximately 3000 British inhabitants during the time of the uprising of 1857. Lucknow was the center of all British activities during the siege and the Residency became the monopolistic center of the British for almost 90 days.

Stretching over an area of 33 acres of land along the Gomti River, this is an exclusive property with a range of houses, where though the northern side building was referred to as Residency earlier, but after the battle of 1857, all the houses were together termed as The Residency. This colony was attacked in the mutiny of 1857 and suffered greatly. The Residency still has within its walls, the graves of around 2000 British soldiers who died in the Revolt of 1857. The walls of this fascinating historical landmark are still scarred with bullet marks and cannon shots.

Today, the British Residency of Lucknow serves as a government office. The main building houses a well-designed museum that displays models of the original buildings of the complex. Besides, one can also visit Bailley Guard Gate, Treasury House, Dr. Frayer's House, Banqueting Hall, Imambara and Mosque, Begum Kothi, and 1857 Memorial Museum. The Residency also hosts a light and sound reminiscing the 1857 revolt show every evening.

Timings: 10 AM - 5 PM, Closed on Mondays

Entry: Rs. 15 for Indians & Rs. 200 for Foreigners