To know more such amazing stories from Indian history, click the bell icon and subscribe to live history in India. The city of Lucknow is home to monuments and architectural wonders that maintain their magnificence telling tales of the glorious history of the city. One such historically rich monument, the Chota Imam Barra or the Imam Barra of Hussainabad in the old city, is purely an architectural marvel. Also known as the Palace of Lights because of the exquisite chandeliers decorated inside, which when illuminated on special occasions give a spectacular view of the complex. In 1775, Navab Aasafaddhalla shifted the capital of Avard from Faisabad to Lucknow, which marked the beginning of a series of social, cultural and historical developments in the city. Mawad Alisha, the third Navab of Avard, built this magnificent Imam Barra in the second year of his reign in 1839. It is said that the Navab built this monument as a token of allegiance to his faith. The Imam Barra complex would also later serve as a mausoleum for the Navab and his family members. Azamullah Khan, the superintendent of the king's ordnance and building department, supervised the construction of the Hussainabad Imam Barra. The architecture of the building is a mixture of Indian, Persian and Islamic design. The glittering gold plated large and small domes of the Imam Barra, readily ribbed, can be seen from a distance which is a sight to behold. The Chota Imam Barra complex comprises of a main hall, a mosque, a nabat Khanah, a hamam Khanah and a stable for horses. A beautiful water channel with fountains, with a bridge in the middle and two structures on the either side of the lake which are set to replicate Taj Mahal in a reduced size. One of these structures serves as a mausoleum for Navab Muhammad Alisha's family. A similar structure was built just opposite the mausoleum for symmetry. The main hall was built along the Chabutra, lead to the Azakhana, the main hall with a much less morning session for Imam Hussain takes place. There are five main doors which signify the holy five of Prophet Muhammad's family. The Azakhana's large green and white-boded hall is richly decorated with Belgian chandeliers, gilded mirrors, crystal glass lamps and also contain the royal throne and crown of Navab Muhammad Alisha. Navab Muhammad Alisha and his mother, Abarid, below the floor in the basement of the Azakhana hall. There are large stucco-caligraphy panels, sealed on the outer walls of the main hall and adjacent buildings. Its simplicity, designed in white against a contrasting dark backdrop, enhances the grandeur of the verses of the Quran that are beautifully engraved in it. The compound also has a hamam as a part of the Abdarkhana which serves as a water storage and cooling system. The Hussainabad Endowment Trust looks after the Chota Imambara and from seventh to the ninth day of Mahoram, it arranges the illumination of the Chota Imambara and its gateway. The Chota Imambara and Hussainabad is truly exceptional and must see for visitors to