File:Lucknow Album (17) - Khoorshaid Munzil.jpg

View No. 17.

This building, as will be seen from the view, is castellated and surrounded by a deep scarped ditch ; intended evidently for purposes of defence. The structure was commenced by Saadut Ali Khan, and finished by Ghazee-ood-deen Hyder : the purpose that these monarchs had, when design- ing such a palpable stronghold, is difficult to surmise, and a study of their histories fails to show the necessity of such a building ; especially, since the Kings of Oudh declared that they considered their country perfectly secure under the guaranteed protection of the British Government. The Kings of Oudh never made any use of the building, but when the mutiny broke out, it was strongly fortified, and occupied in force by the rebels. It took a great many hours' cannonading, before it was taken by the storming party, consisting of the Naval Brigade and detachments from the 90th and 53rd Regiments, when it was stoutly defended by the mutineers.

The Khoorshaid Munzil is entitled to a name in history, as being the meeting place of the succouring and the relieving Generals, Outram and Havelock of the former, and Sir Colin Campbell of the latter : it was here that they shook hands and congratulated each other on the extraordinary success of their arms over the overwhelming forces and apparently impregnable defences of the enemy.

As a contrast to the purpose that the Khoorshaid Munzil was probably intended to serve, and the demoniac purpose that it did attempt to serve, it is now turned to a heavenly purpose : it is the Martiniere Girls' School ; the scarped ditch is now a bright green lawn for the children's play-ground, the towers make airy bedrooms for the little girls, and all the inmates seem to be supremely happy.