The garden was named after Begum Sikandar Mahal, the favorite wife of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah.
During the 1857 Indian Rebellion, the site was the location of a brutal battle where approximately 2,000 Indian sepoys were killed by British forces.
The high, thick walls of the garden were intentionally built to provide privacy for the Nawab’s harem, yet later proved useful as a fortress during conflict.
It is currently managed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as part of the National Botanical Research Institute.
The site was constructed on the model of a Charbagh (four-quadrant garden) but was heavily altered by subsequent combat and modernization.
Bullet marks from the 1857 conflict were historically visible on the perimeter walls before modern structural preservation efforts.
Sikandar Bagh is a 19th-century villa and garden complex in Lucknow, originally commissioned by Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Awadh, for his wife Begum Sikandar Mahal. The site gained significant historical prominence as a key defensive position during the 1857 Indian Rebellion, specifically the Siege of Lucknow. The complex features a high-walled enclosure with corner bastions and a central garden that once showcased diverse flora. It currently serves as the home of the National Botanical Research Institute, which maintains the grounds as a botanical garden. The architecture reflects the transition between late Mughal and colonial influences. The site retains remnants of the defensive walls that suffered heavy damage during the British assault. It remains a documented heritage site reflecting the political transition of the Oudh region.
The restored outer gate and the remaining sections of the high enclosure walls.
Combine your visit with the nearby State Museum or Lucknow Zoo for a full morning of historical sightseeing.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the site encompasses a large garden area requiring significant foot travel.
Bring your own water, as facilities within the garden area are limited.
Do not attempt to enter restricted research laboratory areas within the botanical compound.
Maintain a quiet demeanor as the site is used for scientific research; do not touch or disturb botanical specimens.
