Shahnajaf imambara

The overview of the architecture of Shahnajaf Imambara and the shrine of Imam Ali, son in law of Prophet Mohammed, situated in Najaf, Iraq. Imambara is the replica of shrines of imams where the azadari is done by peoples (esp. shias) in the congregation hall and mourn for the martyrs of Karbala who sacrifice there life in the way of god by stand against the tyranny of Yazeed, king of Syria.
The construction of Imambara is done by the rulers in the oudh where Nawab Ghazi ud din Haider built the Shahnajaf Imambara in 1814.
In this presentation similarities in the architecture of both the buildings are highlighted.

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Mahdi Zamir
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1. Shahnajaf Imambara, Lucknow Mahdi Zamir B . Arch II year D/o Architecture JMI 1

2. Introduction Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh, also known as the city of Nawabs. It is also famous due to the river known as Gomti flowing through the city . The river was used as the route for transportation of materials for construction. Shahnajaf Imambara is the 3 rd most important imambara in the city built by Nawab Ghazi- ud -Din Haider in 1814 . Nawabs following the Shiite sect of Islam and built prominent imambaras in Lucknow. Imambara is a place where people gathered and mourn for the martyrs of Karbala, Iraq. 2

3. Aim to Study The Aim of the study is to analyse the architecture of Shahnajaf Imambara and Shrine of Imam Ali, Najaf in Iraq. Objectives To study the Significance of Imambara . To study the similarities of Shrine of Imam Ali and Shahnajaf Imambara . To study the architecture of the two buildings. Limitation Only the caretakers and information panels were the source of information available on the site. 3

4. SR. NO. AUTHOR DATE REVIEW 1. Sadiq K. Abid July 2015 He explained the historical stages of the emergence of the shrine of imam Ali, and the events which take place within it. 2. Rebecca Williamson, Ph.D. Conrad C. Kickert , Ph.D. and others. 2018 They mentioned about the Najaf which is an old Islamic traditional city, consisting of a congregational mosque (Ali’s shrine), bazaars, and zigzagging narrow alleyways. 3 Sanobar Haider 2016 Sanobar stated that, ”These Imambadas are the glorious examples of the local craftsmanship, ambitious engineering, Monumental imagination and experimentation in Indo Islamic style of architecture”. Literature Review Research Questions Why Shahnajaf Imambara is choosen for the reasearch ? What is the concept of Imambara ? How Shahnajaf Imambara is similar to Shrine of Imam Ali? 4 Authors mentioned about the evolution of the emergence of the Shrine of Imam Ali and highlight the architecture of imambaras in Lucknow .

5. Site Context S hah Najaf Imambara is located in Hazratganj near Gomti River. It is connected with Rana Pratap Marg on the south side . Moti Mahal Lawn, Botanical Gardens, and Jal Nigam are in the vicinity .   Connectivity There are two entrances of the imambara North and South Gate. North gate is blocked with a barrage due to the prone to flood. South gate is facing towards. the Saharaganj mall. 5

6. Concept of Imambara Shiaism Muslims were divided into two sects Shias and Sunnis after the demise of Prophet Muhammed . Shias were the believer of prophets and imams. They built shrines or tomb of imams over their graves. In I ndia the replica of these shrines are knows as Imambara or house of imam. Imambara is generally used for Azadari purpose. Arabic word ‘ Aza ’ with the Persian word ‘ dari ’ which means mourning. Imambara A sacred place for the believers to visit or ‘ Z iyarat ’. Imambara is a congregation hall where the ‘ Zarih ’ and ‘ Taaziya ’ placed over the S hahnasheen . Imambara hall is used for the purpose of ‘ Majlis ’ address by the orator who usually sit on the ‘ Minber ’. 6

7. Case Study Bara Imambara It is divided into 9 segments. The grave of nawab is at the center. There are 3 halls named China, Persian and Kharbooza Hall. Sibtaibnabad Imambara ( Lucknow ) There are 2 big halls in the centre of the building. The square rooms on the right and left wings. The main hall have a raised platform called shahnasheen where ‘ Zari ’ is kept. Gulab Bari or Tomb of Shuja-ud-Daula ; ( Faizabad ) The structure was surrounded by wall enclosures with gateways. Nawab is buried inside the chamber. There is a big hall above the chamber. The upper floor is crowned with big bulbous dome. 7

8. Shahnajaf Imambara History Shahnajaf Imambara gets its name from a city called Najaf-E-Ashraf in Iraq. The name Najaf comes from the hill in Saudi Arabia. Built by Nawab Ghazi- ud -Din Haider in 1814. Architecture Sorrounded by two parallel arch and wall enclosure. The hall is at the center accessible by 3 wooden doors. The dome is resting on pendentive . The design of dome is different from other imambaras due to flattened in shape. The height of the imambara is approx. 21 m (70 ft.) from plinth which is 1.2 m high. 70 ft 8

9. Shrine of Imam Ali, Najaf, Iraq The Shrine of Imam `Ali, also known as Ali Mosque. Imam Ali was the fourth caliph and son-in-law of prophet Mohhamed . In A.D . 786 the first building was constructed. As a small hall and a clay dome, with four doors . Additional walls were built around shrine to accommodate study and rest rooms. The current design is of Safavid period, whose architect was Al- Shaekh Al- Bahaee proposed a new design in 1621 . 9

10. Shrine of Imam Ali Shahnajaf Imambara Design Comparison Two parallel arch enclosure around the shrine. Minarets and Clock tower is present. Followed Ogee arches. Huge Bulbous dome. Two parallel arch enclosure around the imambara . Minarets and Clock tower is absent. Followed Ogee and Multifoil arches. Flattened Dome. 10

11. Discussion Shahnajaf Imambara is a replica of Shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf, Iraq. It was built by Nawab Ghazi- ud -Din Haider in 1814. It is located near Gomti river which was used as trade route. To reduce the distance for the pilgrims. Nawabs of Oudh built tombs not for being buried their but to the mourners for their ‘ azadari ’. There are two gates North and South. The North gate was blocked due to prone of flood and barrage was constructed over there. The plan and elevation is much similar to Shahnajaf and Shrine of Imam Ali. There is also a gap in literature about the techniques of construction used in Imambara . 11

12. Thankyou 12