The Shah Nujeef, Lucknow, 1858

Photograph by Felice Beato (1825-1907), Indian Mutiny (1857-1859), 1858.

The Shah Nujeef was a walled mosque close to the British Residency, and was the mausoleum of Nawab Ghazi-ud-din Haider. During Sir Colin Campbell's attempt to relieve the defenders of the Residency it was the scene of fierce fighting. Its walls were of such immense thickness that the heavy guns of Captain William Peel's Naval Brigade were unable to make any impression on them. It was only when sailors, under continuous fire from the rebels, dragged a cannon to within 12 feet of the walls that a breach was made.