Aasifi Masjid (Asafi Mosque), Lucknow
The Asafi Mosque is a breathtaking example of Awadhi-era architecture infused with late Mughal elegance. Commissioned by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula and completed in 1784, it was designed by the architect Kifayatullah, who also crafted the adjoining Imambara building. The mosque鈥檚 lofty position on a terrace, reached by a grand stairway, grants magnificent views over the complex.
The building鈥檚 symmetrical fa莽ade features arched doorways, with a dominant central arch. On either side are tall, eight-sided towers topped with small domed pavilions and copper decorations. The mosque鈥檚 roofline includes rounded domes and a row of small decorative structures, showing a style inspired by Mughal architecture. However, instead of using marble or stone, the mosque was built with brick and plaster. The interior comprises two parallel rows of vaulted prayer halls with rich stucco ornamentation and coffered ceilings.
Beyond its visual appeal, the mosque carries compelling history and cultural resonance. It was built as part of the Nawab鈥檚 vision during the famine of the early 1780s to provide employment and succor for thousands, embodying his reputation for benevolence.
It also served as the centre for Shia congregational worship, especially during major observances such as Friday prayers, Eid, the festival marking the end of Ramadan, and Muharram (month of mourning in Shia Islam). Though it was repurposed during the British occupation (from 1857 to 1884), including as an ammunition store, its structural resilience preserved it, and religious activities soon resumed.
The building鈥檚 symmetrical fa莽ade features arched doorways, with a dominant central arch. On either side are tall, eight-sided towers topped with small domed pavilions and copper decorations. The mosque鈥檚 roofline includes rounded domes and a row of small decorative structures, showing a style inspired by Mughal architecture. However, instead of using marble or stone, the mosque was built with brick and plaster. The interior comprises two parallel rows of vaulted prayer halls with rich stucco ornamentation and coffered ceilings.
Beyond its visual appeal, the mosque carries compelling history and cultural resonance. It was built as part of the Nawab鈥檚 vision during the famine of the early 1780s to provide employment and succor for thousands, embodying his reputation for benevolence.
It also served as the centre for Shia congregational worship, especially during major observances such as Friday prayers, Eid, the festival marking the end of Ramadan, and Muharram (month of mourning in Shia Islam). Though it was repurposed during the British occupation (from 1857 to 1884), including as an ammunition store, its structural resilience preserved it, and religious activities soon resumed.
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Aasifi Masjid (Asafi Mosque) on Map
Sight Name: Aasifi Masjid (Asafi Mosque)
Sight Location: Lucknow, India (See walking tours in Lucknow)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Lucknow, India (See walking tours in Lucknow)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Lucknow, India
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In the 14th century, Lucknow was the capital of the Awadh region. Starting from 1350, both the city and some parts of the region were controlled consecutively by the Delhi... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles