Restoring the glory of Vilayati Bagh in Lucknow

Barely 50 metres from the famed and fabulous Dilkusha Garden lies another historically significant royal garden which is comparatively lesser known.

Protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the garden and ruins of Vilayati Bagh are set to undergo restoration.

“The plan includes raising a boundary wall, landscaping and addition of certain public amenities without disturbing the natural look of the place,” said Navratna Kumar Pathak, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, Lucknow Circle.

King Ghazi-ud-Din-Haider (1814-1827) of Awadh (Oudh) built this beautiful garden for his European wife’s leisure time. The garden has two entrances, the principal being on the west and second on the east which leads towards river Gomti. Designed on Awadh style, the building on the north-west corner has a few cells on either side with a courtyard in the centre, embellished with arched entrances. The western enclosure wall, comparatively higher, has a massive gateway .

“The remains of Vilayati Bagh were densely covered by shrubs and mould and home to insects before we started working here. Parts of the destroyed heritage have been dugout and brought into vision. Now this place is getting attention from tourists, “said Shadaab, Junior Conservation Assistant with ASI.