Anil Jaiswal
Lucknow: From heritage evangelists to historians all had for the past decade been rallying behind the turnaround of Lucknow’s crowning jewel, the iconic Rumi Darwaza. The Rumi Darwaza for generations has been a filmmaker and photographer’s muse. However with the cracks deepening on the walls of the historic structure, it was collective pressure that led to a gruelling two year restoration process that has led to architecture experts giving a new sheen to the Rumi.
The new clean and crisp look with a fantastic pinkish tinge, through use of plaster of ‘surkhi’, lime and mortar, Rumi Darwaza is back to its old chirpy self of the bygone Nawabi era..
Rumi Darwaza, is a testimony to the architectural brilliance of a bygone era, the 80-foot-high Rumi Darwaza was built in 1784 by Asaf-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Awadh, and was recently reopened to the public after being closed for about two years by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for necessary maintenance and conservation works.
Reportedly the main cracks of Rumigate have been filled. The decision to renovate it was taken in view of its dilapidated condition. About 99 per cent of the entire restoration work had been completed.
It is known that in December 2022, the way out from under the Rumi Gate was closed. This was done due to cracks. A path was made from the side for the people coming out from there.
The architecture of the Imambara and Rumi Darwaza was made by a map maker named Kifayatullah. It was the same artisan who handled the lunar half-dome of the Rumi Darwaza and the lintel of the Ladavatar roof of the Imambara very well.
Bada Imambara and Rumi Gate are the places in Lucknow where shooting of many films has been done. It has been a custom to show this building once before showing Lucknow. Many parts of the film Gulabo-Sitabo starring Amitabh Bachchan have been shot around this building.
Speaking to News18 – ASI officials made it clear that traffic movement through the gates will remain restricted. “Traffic will remain restricted as before and vehicles will be diverted to the adjacent road. This agreement has been approved by the district administration to ensure safety and preservation of the historic Rumi Darwaza.
In a News 18 report – The team of archaeologists involved in the mammoth task of giving a new life to the structure lying in ruins for the last five decades say that restoring the iconic gate was no easy task.
The process
The first step was to seek permission to restrict the movement of vehicles passing through the gate. Then came research and development work. Then original photographs of the heritage structure were found. All this to give it its original look. Then came construction of iron scaffolding using over 1,000 pipes. Huge pits were dug to prepare the traditional binding material. The team took meticulous prints of each motif using butter paper.
In 2013, experts from the civil engineering department of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K), identified the Rumi Darwaza as the most vulnerable monument in Lucknow. This finding emerged from a study conducted by professor Durgesh C Rai and his team, who evaluated the seismic carrying capacity of the monument. Their evaluation showed that the seismic load capacity of the masonry arch structure was only 17 per cent of its weight, less than the required 21 per cent, making it inadequate for the demands of seismic zone III, where it was found. The study highlighted that, in addition to weather exposure, the frequent movement of vehicles through the gate aggravated the damage. The team of experts also conducted environmental vibration tests at the site, using sophisticated sensors and instruments placed at four different levels in the latitudinal and longitudinal directions. This test revealed that the oscillation of the structure was primarily due to vehicular vibrations. The Complex Indicator Mode Function (CIMF) technique was used to measure the structure.
Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, was once known as the city of Lord Ram’s younger brother Lakshman, and sometimes it was called the city of Nawabs due to the rule of the Nawabs. Whatever it may be, this city has preserved many such heritages, which can surprise you. One such building is Rumi Darwaza or Rumi Gate. This gate once used to show the pride of the Nawabs of Awadh, and today it is known as the signature building of the capital.
Located in the Hussainabad area of old Lucknow, this building has been standing proudly for two and a half hundred years.
Construction of Rumi Darwaza
The Nawab of Awadh, Asaf-ud-Daula, started the construction of this gate in 1784 and two years later it was completed in 1786. About 22,000 people were engaged day and night in building this magnificent gate. The Rumi Darwaza, located between the Chota Imambara and the Bada Imambara, has its own identity in the world due to its excellent carving and structure. This gate is also known for its structure and strength.
It faced many natural calamities but even after 250 years it is still standing. The story behind the construction of this gate is no less interesting. In 1784, there was a severe famine in the area of Awadh.
By running the food for work scheme, the Nawab gave employment to thousands of people, which included people from elite families. Like the Bada Imambara, the map of Rumi Darwaza was also made by the famous engineer of that time, KifayatUllah Khan. Lakhori bricks, almond lime, urad dal and many other materials were used in the construction of Rumi Darwaza. Iron and wood were not used in this building either.
Rumi Darwaza of Lucknow
Rumi Darwaza is also called Turkish Gate
Famous historian of Lucknow Yogesh Praveen has written in his book that this famous royal gate was made by copying the gate of the ancient fort of Constantinople. He has written that this is why in the 19th century this gate was called Constantinople or Turkish Gate. He has written quoting some English historians that the gate of Istanbul’s Sublime Port was also exactly like this. However, now there is no such gate there.
The 60 feet high Rumi Darwaza has been built using lime and bricks which was quite cheap in those times. The material and style used in Rumi Darwaza laid the foundation of Awadhi or Lucknowi architecture. Like the Bada Imambara, Rumi Darwaza has also been built without lintel, that is, beams have not been used in it. Despite this, the strength of Rumi Darwaza is such that it has been almost 250 years but it has not moved even a bit. There is an umbrella on the upper part of Rumi Darwaza. There are also stairs to reach there. There is a three-storey airy building on both sides of this gate. The combination of Hindu-Muslim art is visible in the design of this gate. The decoration of lotus flowers on the entire gate is worth seeing. In olden times, lamps were kept on the upper part of Rumi Darwaza, which used to illuminate the city in the dark of night. Now the stairs leading to the upper part of this gate have been closed for common tourists.
