Kothi Darshan Vilas, Qaiserbagh, Lucknow
Kothi Darshan Vilas, the building which now houses Directorate of Medical Health was once a palace, construction of which commenced in the reign of Nawab Ghazi-ud-din Haider and finished during the reign of Nawab Nasir-ud-din Haider in 1837. The design of this building is an amalgamation of the architectural features of other heritage buildings of the city. Each of the three faces of the kothi are the replica of Kothi Farhat Baksh, Dilkusha Palace, Musa Bagh respectively and the fourth being a blend of the structural attributes of all these monuments. Hence, this building is also known as Chaurukhi Kothi or the House of 4 faces. The domes add stars to the architectural beauty of this building.
According to the great Historian of Awadh, Mr. Roshan Taqui, ‘earlier Kothi Darshan Vilas used to be a part of the Chhoti Chattar Manzil but since the latter does not exist anymore, the Chaurukhi kothi is all that is left. It served as a palace to the king’s begum. In the Nawabi era this kothi was referred as the Palace of Qudsiya Mahel, named after the wife of Nawab Nasir-ud-din Haider.’ The splendour of Kothi Darshan Vilas has almost faded due to our negligence. The once wondrous structure now appears brownish and roots of large trees are seen making way through the walls and roof of the building.
Credit : Intern – Divya Suri