Records, Relics To Become Exhibits | Lucknow News

From railway records office to becoming a municipal powerhouse, Lalbagh headquarters of Lucknow Municipal Corporation has witnessed the city’s change and growth for over a century. Now, as the office prepares to transform into a museum, the building itself will become both subject and storyteller—offering future generations a chance to walk through Lucknow’s civic past.A Colonial BeginningAccording to official records, Lalbagh building was constructed in 1913–14 by the Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway at a cost of nearly Rs 4 lakh. The imposing three-storied structure of red brick, with high ceilings, wide corridors and arched verandahs, reflected British fondness for sturdy yet elegant public offices. Initially, it served as a record and form room and later housed the railway press. Even today, its façade—domed corner towers, large arched entrances and solid brick masonry—bears a striking resemblance to Lucknow’s other colonial landmarks, such as the Charbagh Railway Station. For passersby, it was never just another office; it was a landmark, a red-brick witness to the city’s slow journey into modernity.From Railways to MunicipalityIn a twist of history, the building passed into the hands of the Municipal Board on Oct 1, 1927. The Railways owed the Board municipal taxes worth Rs 1 lakh and in lieu of this debt, the property was transferred.Soon after, extensive alterations began. A grand porch and new additions cost Rs 30,000, while remodelling the main hall required another Rs 25,000. The work was undertaken by reputed firms such as Messrs Mansfield & S Engineers of Calcutta and Rai Bahadur Behari Lal & Sons Engineers of Lucknow. Municipal engineer R Sarkar and B Jagat Narain Seth supervised the project under the overall guidance of Rai Saheb Pt Maharaj Narain Chakbast, a celebrated figure of his time.The refurbished building was formally inaugurated on Jan 28, 1928, by Nawab Mohammad Yusuf, minister of local self govt. Just a month earlier, Sir Harcourt Butler, the first Governor of the United Provinces, inspected the site. With this, the building took on a new identity—no longer just a colonial outpost, but the nerve centre of civic administration in Lucknow.Civic Command CentreWith nearly 50 rooms, grand halls such as Rajkumar Hall and Triloki Nath Hall and wide staircases that echoed with the footsteps of clerks and citizens, the Lalbagh headquarters became the heart of Lucknow’s civic life.On the ground floor, tax collection counters were always busy—queues of residents waiting with receipts and forms, often chatting under the high-arched ceilings. Upstairs, offices of more than 500 employees handled files on drainage, sanitation, roads and parks. Decisions that shaped the everyday life of the city—from street lighting to waste disposal—were taken here.Old employees recall the paper-heavy atmosphere. “When I joined in 1970, files were still tied with red tape,” said retired clerk Shyam Narain. “We used giant registers that recorded every house tax payment. The building was always alive with people.”The headquarters was also a venue for civic events—award ceremonies, cultural gatherings, even student visits. A small corner museum already exists inside, displaying murals, old maps and civic artefacts. “All of this will be available for public view when it becomes a museum,” said municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar, adding that the proposal, including the entry fee, will soon be placed before the LMC House for approval.Municipal Art GalleryOne of Lalbagh’s best-kept secrets is the Municipal Art Gallery—among the very few in India run by a civic body. It began in 1949 when LMC president B D Sanwal organised an art exhibition with artist Madan Lal Nagar. Inspired by the event, artists such as Lalit Mohan Sen, Veereshwar Sen and V N Jizza donated their work too, forming foundation of a collection of nearly 90 artworks worth Rs 11,300 at that time.Over the decades, the gallery became a silent storehouse of creativity. The collection grew to include landscapes, portraits and modernist work of art. Students often visited to practise sketching; researchers cited the gallery in their studies and foreign dignitaries occasionally admired its treasures.But the gallery also suffered neglect. In 1980–81, heavy rains damaged several paintings. By 1995, the gallery’s poor condition made headlines. Restoration efforts, supported by the Lalit Kala Akademi, finally bore fruit, and the gallery reopened on Aug 15, 1997. Later, INTACH restored some works, and cataloguing began. Repairs in 2010 improved conditions, but the gallery still struggled for recognition. With the new museum plan, officials hope to give the gallery a fresh identity. “The gallery can’t be forgotten—it will be a gem when the headquarters is converted into a museum,” said additional municipal commissioner Lalit Kumar.Residents’ MemoriesFor many citizens, Lalbagh is not just a building but a memory lane. “I used to come here with my father to pay house tax,” recalled Ravi Srivastava, Lalbagh resident, adding, “It will be nostalgic to walk in again—not as a taxpayer but as a visitor to a museum.”Heritage and ArchitectureArchitecturally, Lalbagh stands at the crossroads of colonial utility and local adaptation. Its three floors are arranged in a symmetrical plan, with broad corridors ensuring ventilation and natural light. The use of red brick was both aesthetic and economical, matching Lucknow’s broader colonial palette. Heritage experts see its preservation as crucial. “This building tells the story of Lucknow’s transition from nawabi to colonial governance,” said historian Ravi Bhatt. The Move to a New OfficeAs LMC prepares to shift to a six-storey modern office in Gomtinagar, complete with elevators, digital counters, and conference halls, the contrast becomes clear. The new building promises efficiency, but the old Lalbagh headquarters is rich with history. The shift, expected to be completed within a year, will free Lalbagh for its transformation into a heritage museum.Future of the MuseumOfficials say the museum will display old municipal records, tax ledgers, historic photographs of Lucknow’s changing streets, vintage typewriters and furniture used by officers. Interactive exhibits and digital screens may also be introduced to attract schoolchildren and tourists. The Municipal Art Gallery will be integrated into the museum, ensuring art and administration stand side by side. Mayor Sushma Kharakwal said, “This building is part of Lucknow’s memory. By turning it into a museum, we are preserving not just a structure but the story of how the city’s civic journey began.”Commissioner Gaurav Kumar added, “We have already submitted a proposal to the urban development and tourism department to convert it into a museum on PPP model. We are ensuring that its history of public service is not lost but celebrated.”