Colonial and post-colonial memorial parks in Lucknow, India: shifting ideologies and changing aesthetics

• Published in: Journal of landscape architecture (Wageningen, Netherlands) Netherlands), 2010-09, Vol.5 (2), p.60-71
• Main Author: Sinha, Amita
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Colonial picturesque; iconic imagery; memorials; political representation; public parks
• ISSN: 1862-6033; 2164-604X
• DOI: 10.1080/18626033.2010.9723439

A critical review of public parks in Lucknow, India shows that they are predominantly memorials to historic events and settings for historic monuments. They celebrate the cultural identity of the city and commemorate the emerging political ideologies of the state. The memorial parks are based upon colonial precedents and in their profuse use of statuary they also draw upon the indigenous Indic tradition of iconic imagery. The article argues that memorialisation of political figures, only one among the many civic functions of a public place, should go beyond its person-centric subject to celebrate multiple forms of cultural heritage. Parks built in the last two decades in Lucknow are large, gated and designed around memorial structures and statuary. An alternative park model is outlined that draws upon pre-colonial vernacular and Nawabi precedents, is inviting to all socio-economic groups in society and accommodates diverse local uses.