Page:The tourist's guide to Lucknow.djvu/182

Rh belong to ah earlier date. It is called the Akbari Darwaza and was, probably, built by one of the Subahdars of Oudh, who named it after Akbar Shah, the founder of this Subah.

Immediately opposite the North gate of the Chouk, is the Victoria Park. The land was granted to the Husainabad Trustees by the Government in 1890, on the understanding that it was to be converted into a Park and pleasure ground for the people of the city. The bronze statue of Her Majesty Queen Empress was erected by the Municipal Board of Lucknow, in commembration of Her Majesty's Jubilee, and was unveiled by His Honour, Sir Auckland Colvin, on the evening of the 23rd November, 1892.

Proceeding westward from the Chouk we come to two singular Dargahs, or Mahomedan shrines, one the Kazmaine, built by Shurf-ud-daula and said to be a copy of the tomb of two Imams, Moosa Kazim and Raza Kazim, of Khorasan; and the other built by Dian-nd-daula on the model of the tomb of the Imam Husain at Karbala. But, except when these places are illuminated during the Mohurrum festival, there is nothing to repay a visit.

The Darguh of Huzrat Abbas, which is also in the city, is another place of sanctity and resort, wherein the banner of Abbas, a relative of Ali, who was killed in the battle of Karbala, is deposited. The Lucknow Mahomedans believe that they have the metal crest of the banner of Abbas, brought here by a pilgrim from the west, and the relic is regarded as peculiarly sacred. The building in which it is contained is called the Dargah and thither the banners used in the Mohurrum are brought by thronging multitudes, with great display, upon the fifth day of the festival. The banners are borne through the Dargah. presented to the sacred crest, and touched, and then taken out again at the opposite door to make room for others. Innumerable banners are so hallowed in the course of the day.

It was here that Nawab Sadat Ali Khan is said to have received a sudden awakening which converted him from a wild and vicious youth to the sober, practical statesman he became (see page 119).

Is situated on the Cawnpore road about two miles south-west of the Railway station. The building in the centre of the garden was constructed by one of the Begums