The Lucknow Album/Saadut Ali Khan's Tomb, and Moorshed Zadi's Tomb

by Darogha Ubbas Alli

Between the great quadrangle of Kaiser Bagh, and China Bazar , stand two mausoleums of imposing size and grandeur, these are—

SAADUT ALI KHAN'S TOMB, AND MOORSHED ZADI'S TOMB.

Views Nos. 25 and 26.

The Mukara, or tomb, of Nawab Saadut Ali Khan, has since his death been called, by apotheosis, " Junnut Aramgah" or the house of one whose soul reposes in paradise. The other tomb is that of Moorshed Zadi, the Queen of Saadut Ali Khan.

The spot on which these tombs now stand, was formerly occupied by a house in which Ghazee-ood-deen Hyder, son of Saadut Ali Khan, resided. History says that, when the son came to the throne in the father's place, he remarked that, since he had taken his father's house, it was but fair that he should give up his own to his father and mother ; accordingly he gave orders for his former abode to be destroyed, and for the two mausoleums, under description, to be built on the site. The Royal Family of Oudh never displayed any remarkable traits of filial affection, so that, admitting the truth of this tradition, Ghazee-ood-deen Hyder must have been an exception to the general rule. The resting-place of some ten or fifteen British soldiers, who lost their lives by an explosion, is marked on a spot between the two tombs.

Close by is the square called Huzrut Bagh. This contained a tykhana, or underground apartment, from which, a few days before the disastrous expedition to Chinhutt, an immense quantity of jewels, plate and gold and silver ornaments set with precious stones, were secured, by Major Banks, the Commissioner, and conveyed in safety into the Residency : the whole mass afterwards realized nearly a million sterling at a public auction in Calcutta. In respect to these jewels, the action of Major Banks was most praiseworthy and determined : the Major, armed with orders from Sir Henry Lawrence, who had positive information of the existence of the treasure, requested a certain functionary, named Miftah-ood-dowlah, who was the actual custodian, to allow him to see the treasure : the man positively denied all knowledge of the existence of such a treasure ; but on the Major drawing his revolver and threatening to shoot the fellow, he become nervous, and calling for lights, led the way, in a faltering manner, down a flight of steps into the underground room, where the treasure was found packed in a number of antique looking boxes. This apartment also contained a vast quantity of valuable articles, such as silver howdahs, chairs, bedsteads and other rich property which, unfortunately, there was no time to remove. Miftah-ood-dowlah evidently expected assistance from a number of Seedees, Africans, the King's retainers, who were present, but the precaution had been taken to form up a battery of Artillery and a body of Infantry in position, whilst the Major entered the tykhana, accompanied by thirty picked volunteers. When the mutineers entered Lucknow a few days afterwards, greedy for plunder, much to their chagrin, they found the tykhana empty : they, however, seized upon, and occupied, Kaiser Bagh, appropriating the valuable furniture, jewels, dresses and other property of the ex-King and the opulent ladies of the Court, making the most terrible havoc throughout the sumptuously fitted suites of ladies' apartments.