Dilkusha Palace Lucknow | Untold Story of the 1857 Freedom Struggle
Step into the forgotten corridors of Dilkusha Palace, a silent witness to the 1857 Freedom Struggle in Lucknow.
Once a grand hunting lodge commissioned in 1805 by Nawab Saadat Ali Khan, this monument stands as a rare blend of English Baroque architecture and Indian history. What followed within its walls would change the course of India forever.
What this film covers:
The Architecture: The original three-story design with octagonal towers and glazed pottery tops, inspired by Seaton Delaval Hall in England and commissioned by British Major Gore Ouseley.
The Abandonment: How King Wajid Ali Shah later used the surrounding grounds for military exercises before the British removed him from the throne in 1856, sparking the uprising of Awadh.
The 1857 Struggle: How Dilkusha Palace was captured and recaptured multiple times during the uprising, including its seizure by British Commander-in-Chief Colin Campbell and the death of General Henry Havelock within its grounds.
The Legacy: How the palace was eventually converted into a cantonment for the final British assault on Awadh, leading to the annexation of the state.
This was a personal project, made out of a deep curiosity for the forgotten monuments of Lucknow and the untold stories they carry.
This short documentary was originally part of our early factual filmmaking work. As of 2025 we have shifted our creative focus to cinematic product commercials and branded visual storytelling, yet we proudly keep this legacy video live as a tribute to where it all began.
Directed by: Fahad Ali
Location: Dilkusha Kothi, Lucknow
Production: FW Productions
Instagram: @fwbyfahad
Website: fwbyfahad.com
Inquiries: [email protected]
Have you ever visited Dilkusha Palace? Share your experience in the comments!
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