Cemetery at Vilayati Bagh in Lucknow

It is located in Lucknow Cantonment between Dilkusha Kothi and Kothi Bibiapur. You would need to go straight from Dilkusha Kothi and then take a left after the railway crossing. You will then reach the cemetery at Vilayati Bagh. On its right there is also a ‘durgah’ (tomb of a Muslim saint). It’s located on the banks of River Gomti and the whole area is surrounded by lots of trees and greenery. There are three English graves of Mr. Henry P. Garvey, Captain W. Heley Hutchinson and Sergeant S. Newman.

The Bagh (Garden)

The construction of Vilayati Bagh was done by King Ghazi-ud-din-Haider  (1814-27) who built a beautiful garden and European style house for his European wife 'Vilayati Mahal' for throwing royal parties and amusements. However some historians believe that it was laid out by his son King Nasir-ud-din Haider (1827-37). It is made of Lakhauri bricks in lime-surkhi mortar, it is roughly square on plan with high enclosure walls which served as a screen wall for the ladies. Once the entire complex was a beautiful garden with flowers and plants of European variety which were grown here.  This garden was extensively damaged during the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857-58.

The Cemetery

The Book: Christian Tombs and Monuments in the United Provinces by E. A. H. BLUNT I.C.S. Year: 1911 gives us the details of the three English graves. Here are the details of the inscriptions:

909. – 1858 – Garvey, H. P., MATE, R. N. Inscription:- Here lies Mr. Henry P. Garvey, Acting Mate, Her Majesty’s Ship “Shannon” killed before Lucknow March XI^th  MDCCCLVIII. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. [This officer was killed during the attack on the Begum Kothi.] (Reference: Forrest.)

910. – 1858 – HUTCHINSON, W. H., captain. Inscription:- Sacred to the memory of Captain W. Heley Hutchinson, 9^th royal Lancers. Born 5^th March 1833, mortally wounded in an attack on the rebels near the Moosa Bagh, 9^th March 1858, diesd 22^ndMarch 1858. This monument is erected by his brother officers. [During the operations at the Moosa Bagh on the 9^th March the 9^th Lancers repeatedly charged the flying enemy, following them up for about four miles. A small body of them reached a deep ravine through which they could not ride; and it was here that Hutchinson was mortally wounded. He dies on the 22^ndand was buried in “the beautiful walled garden at the riverside below the Dilkusha.”] (Reference: Forrest.)

911. – 1858 –NEWMAN, S. Sergeant. Inscription:- In memory of Sergeant S. Newman, 9^th Queen’s Royal Lancers, who fell mortally wounded in pursuit of the rebels near the Moosa Bagh, 19^th March 1858. [wounded in the same affair as that mentioned above. In Forrest he is given as a corporal.] (Reference: Forrest.)

As you turn Left after the railway crossing the road side sign indicates the soon approaching cemetery at Vilayati Bagh.

The Sign board outside Vilayati Bagh.

Entrance to the Vilayati Bagh (restoration was going on when I visited this place).

On the left at the entrance - 1

On the left at the entrance - 2

An Archaeological Survey of India protected monument.

View of the left of the garden as you step inside.

View of the center of the garden as you step inside - 1

View of the center of the garden as you step inside - 2.

The information stone in the garden.

Two of the three English graves in an enclosure - I couldn't find any inscriptions on the graves. Or perhaps I couldn't read them in the glaring Sun.

One of the graves from the above enclosure - I couldn't find any inscriptions on the grave. Or perhaps I couldn't read them in the glaring Sun.

Second grave from the above enclosure.

The third grave a little further off.

Right side of the Vilayati Bagh.

View of the garden buildings from outside. - 1

View of the garden buildings from outside. - 2

Use these other Links to view some more pictures of the garden and the cemetery:

http://images-photos-lucknow.blogspot.in/2012/12/vilayati-bagh-in-lucknow.html

http://wwwgeorgeherbertshepherdlko.blogspot.in/2013/07/vilayatibagh-ruins-lucknow.html

Update dated: 19/09/2015

Found the below 1870's picture of the Vilayati bagh on Facebook page of 'Hamara Lucknow - Pustakmala'. Please do like this page for lots of lovely historical pictures and information on Lucknow.