Chattar Manzil

Chattar Manzil, also known as the Umbrella Palace, is a historic palace complex on the banks of the Gomti River in Qaiserbagh, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Built in the early 19th century under Nawab Ghazi-ud-Din Haider and completed by his son Nasir-ud-Din Haider, it is noted for its distinctive umbrella-shaped domed pavilion and Indo-European architectural style. Once a royal residence and later used as a club and scientific institution, it remains an iconic landmark of Awadhi heritage.

Visitors can expect to view the exterior of a large riverside palace complex characterized by its prominent umbrella-shaped dome (chhattar), arched facades, and Indo-European architectural details overlooking the Gomti River. The complex is situated on Mahatma Gandhi Marg near Qaiserbagh. Interiors are generally not accessible due to ongoing conservation and restoration work, so the visit is primarily an exterior sightseeing and photography experience from the roadside and riverfront area, with views of the domes, balconies and surrounding historic precinct.

Chattar Manzil was commissioned by Nawab Ghazi-ud-Din Haider of Awadh in the early 19th century and completed by his son Nawab Nasir-ud-Din Haider around 1830s. It served as a palace for the Nawabs of Awadh and later housed the United Services Club during the British period. In the post-independence period, a portion housed the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI). The complex is noted for its blend of Awadhi and European architectural influences and is protected and being conserved as a heritage structure.

The palace is a prominent example of Awadhi architecture with European influences and is emblematic of Lucknow's Nawabi cultural heritage. Its umbrella dome and riverside setting make it a recognizable symbol of the city's historic urban landscape and 19th-century palace architecture.