Sikandar Bagh, Lucknow

"Sikandar Bagh derives its name from Sikandar Mahal, one of the begums of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah."
The Sikandar Bagh in Lucknow was built around 1800 AD. It was laid out during the reign of Nawab Saadat Ali Khan. During the first half of the 19th century, it was beautified by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the last king of Avadh. It is also held that this garden received its name Sikandar Bagh from Nawab Wajid Ali Shah only after one of his favorite queens called Sikander Mahal Begum.The garden has a small pavilion in the middle, which was likely the scene of innumerable performances of the Ras-lilas, and Kathak dances, music and poetic 'mehfils' and other cultural activities which the last Nawab had a great appreciation for, indeed possibly too great a one as history has judged him to have been over-fond of his leisure interests.
This garden was transformed into a stronghold against the British army in the first battle of independence in 1857. During this time in the garden, 2,200 soldiers were adjourned for the siege of Lucknow. Many people were killed by the British army, led by Commander-in-Chief Sir Celine Campwell. In the past, Sinkar Bagh is a home for the National Botanical Research Institute of India.Now this was known as National Botanical Research Institute of India.

National Botanical Research Institute of India.

The Botanic Garden of the Institute has historical records dating back to 1800. The garden was established by Nawab Saadat Ali Khan (1784-1814) as a Royal Garden. Later, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Oudh, developed it further and named it Sikander Bagh after his favourite and beautiful queen Begum Sikander Mahal.The Botanic Garden is situated in the heart of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh province, and covers an area of 25 ha along the southern bank of the River Gomti at an altitude of 113 m (Lat. 26º55' N., Long. 80º59' E.). The garden serves as a national facility to conserve India's flora and offers opportunities to researchers, students, teachers, plantsmen and garden-lovers from India and abroad.

The Sikander Bagh gateway with the 'pair of fish' motif of the Nawabs is a queer, hybrid structure that has distinct features of Indian, Persian, European and Chinese architecture in the form of arches, chhattri, pediments, Corinthian pillars and pagodas, all at one place.Sikander Bagh was also the place where the valour of women soldiers of Begum Hazrat Mahal, the leader of the rebellion against the British, came to light. This apart at The Sikandar Bagh in Lucknow you will also get to see the statue of Uda Devi, a fearless lady, who fought with the besieged soldiers. This statue is located in the old campus of the garden.