India, Nov. 2 -- The architectural marvels of Lucknow, constructed during the Nawabi rule (1722-1856) and British governance (1856-1947), have long evoked a spectrum of reactions ranging from admiration to criticism. This unique style, often referred to as 'hybrid architecture', 'Indo-Saracenic architecture', or simply 'Nawabi architecture', has been the subject of both praise and disdain throughout its history. Notably, many of these grand structures were influenced by various international designs, while in turn, some emerged as beacons of inspiration for future generations. One of the most prominent and early manifestations of such 'inspired architecture' is the enchanting Dilkusha Kothi, built in the early 1800s. Major Gore Ouseley, an aide-de-camp to Sa'adat Ali Khan, conceived this building, drawing its design from the Seton Delaval House situated in Northumberland, England. However, it must be noted that this endeavour was not merely an imitation. Sa'adat Ali Khan, the sixth Nawab of Awadh, was himself an amateur architect, having crafted the Musa Bagh Kothi, known as 'Barowen', in 1803 - an edifice that incorporated several architectural elements inspired by Kedleston Hall, an esteemed property located in Kedleston, Derbyshire. The north face of 'Barowen' resembled the south-side portico of Government House in Calcutta (also built in 1803 and inspired by Kedleston Hall). Lucknow's Iron Bridge was designed by John Rennie at London in 1816 -being very similar to the one over the river Witham, at Boston, in Lincolnshire. London's famous Waterloo Bridge was a contemporary of Lucknow's Iron Bridge, both being designed by Rennie almost simultaneously. The architect of Chhattar Manzil palace, built during the reign of Ghazi-ud-Din Haider (1818 -1827) has never been identified, although the dome-with-gilded-parasol model was repeated in a number of later buildings, particularly the Chhota Chhattar Manzil, Darshan Bilas, Roshan-ud-Daula Kothi, as well as the Lakhi Darwaza of the Qaiserbagh. The obelisk (or Lat) at Constantia at La Martiniere Boys, Lucknow, was built in 1815, long after its founder Claude Martin's death. Martin had left specific instructions and architectural drawings on how Constantia was to be extended and the obelisk was to be designed. However, he was not a professional architect and his designs confounded British engineers, who carried out the remaining work to the best of their ability, often at variance with Martin's designs. Architecturally, the Lat would serve as an 'inspiration' for the Ochterloney Memorial, to be built later in the Maidan of Calcutta in 1828, from a common design of Charles Knowles Robinson, put into practice by JP Parker. Similarly, the flying buttresses of Constantia (La Martiniere Boys) would appear with aplomb, crowning the gateways of Qaiserbagh. The Lucknow Residency complex had originally had been porous in nature, with public roads criss-crossing the premises. John Baillie, Resident (1807-1815), attempted to secure the Residency from its immediate surroundings, and the Baillie Guard Gate was a step in this direction. The architectural features and elevations of Lucknow's Baillie's Guard Gate drew inspiration from the proposed entrance gateway to Langley Park, Norfolk, England. During colonial rule, the old Canning College building (now housing the Bhatkhande University), Qaiserbagh was designed by Tika Ram (1881), of the Office of the Engineer-in-Chief, Rajputana State Railway. Swinton Jacob, stationed as Chief Engineer in Jaipur, later designed Lalgarh Palace, Bikaner, freely borrowing the architectural features of the Canning College building. The clock tower at Hussainabad came into existence in 1881. This 68-metre-high tower, designed by Richard Roskell Bayne, was inspired by the La Giralda minaret of Seville, Spain - its square plan, horseshoe-shaped arches and dome of obvious Moorish descent. The original All Saints' Garrison Church built in the Cantonment in 1860, was replaced by the present structure in 1902, which was designed by James Ransome. Its architecture was inspired by Magdalen College, Oxford. The construction of the Council Chamber (present-day Vidhan Sabha) at Lucknow was decided by the Legislative Council on August 1, 1921 from the design prepared by Architect HV Lanchester. It resembled the Central Hall of Westminster in its conception, with Maj General Crookshank, Executive Engineer, providing the ground plans of the Delhi Council Chamber for reference. However, no other building, perhaps in the world, depended on so many inspirational elements like the Darshan Bilas of Lucknow, built by Nasir-ud-Din Haider, the second king of Awadh. Its four faces (sides) emulated three famous Nawabi buildings of Lucknow. The east front resembled Farhat Baksh, with its lofty turrets; the north and south facades resembled Kothi Musa Bagh and the western facade resembled Dilkusha Kothi. Due to this unique hybrid facade, it was often referred to as 'Chaurukhi' or 'Chaumukhi Kothi' (house of four faces) - a single structure representing the palace architecture of Lucknow. PC Sarkar, a former scientist, has authored several books on the forgotten heritage of Lucknow...