According to Indian Archaeologist, the history of Residency can be traced back to 1774, when Nawab Shujauddhaula agreed to have a British resident stationed in Awadh.

Residency was established at Lucknow when the capital of Awadh was sifted from Faizabad to Lucknow in year 1775 A.D. Originally, the site of the Residency belonged to Sheikhzadas. Nawab Asafuddaula started the construction of Lucknow Residency in year 1775 A.D. for the British resident and his staff which was completed by Nawab Saadat Ali Khan in 1800 A.D. Later, it was used by the chief commissioner of Awadh. Gradually more building were added as their requirement grew.

The ruins of Residency, preserved in the same condition in which it came under central protection in the year 1920 AD remind us of the great uprising of 1857. The evidence of first war of independence of 1857 can be seen on each and every structure of the Residency. These structure suffered heavy damages due to constant shelling and counter shelling; some were completely razed to ground and are in ruins. The Residency complex today consist of ruins of several buildings. Each ruin buildings have its own story to tell about the event of 1857 A.D. During its historic siege in 1857 A.D. These Buildings and every fortified post were named usually after the person who lived there. They were named as Sago’s house, Dr. Fayerer’s house, Brigade mess, Kanpur Battery. Redan Battery, Sikh Square, Anderson’s Post etc. and covered an area of about 33 acres.

To understand the clear picture of Residency an excavation was taken here which has brought to light a number of buried structure including the well-planned sewer system besides remains of material culture of that period. An 1857 memorial museum has been set up here to depict an accurate presentation of the first war of independence of 1857 in Awadh.

(Source: Archaeological Survey Of India)

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