Firangi Mahal, Lucknow / 2023

Firangi Mahal is located between Victoria Road and the Chowk in Lucknow. The grand monumental building got its name from the fact that it belonged to Europeans, called Firangis. It, in fact, belonged to a French businessman named Neal who lived here with other French traders during the reign of Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb.

The palatial residence was, however, confiscated by the government under a royal decree on the ground that it was owned by a foreigner. It was transferred to the Emperor’s consultants on Islamic matters, Mullah Asad bin Qutab Shaheed and his brother Mullah Asad bin Qutab uddin Shaheed.

The two brothers converted this house into a grand Islamic institution whose status was often compared with Cambridge and Oxford Universities of England. Mahatma Gandhi also spent a few days in Firangi Mahal and the room where he stayed has been dedicated to his memory. Firangi Mahal has made a significant contribution to the preservation and enhancement of Islamic culture and tradition.