'Interior of the Chutr Munzil - used as a Field Hospital', 1858

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

Building of the Chattar Manzil (or Umbrella Palace) at Lucknow was started during the reign of Nawab Ghazi Uddin Haider and it was completed after his death by his successor, Nawab Nasir Uddin Haider. The imposing building was topped with a dome surmounted by a gilt umbrella which gave it its name. When Major-General Sir Henry Havelock's relief column fought its way into Lucknow on 26 September 1857 the rebels exploded a large mine at the palace. Although Havelock reached the besieged Residency the heavy casualties his force had sustained on its way there meant that it was too weak to evacuate the defenders.