Kothi Farhat Baksh Lucknow

Kothi Farhat Baksh was built Claude Martin a building was constructed in Indo-French style at the lowest terrace on the right bank of the Gomti river for his own residence in 1781. It was known as ‘Martin Villa’ later on it was purchased by Nawab Asif-ud-Daula (1775-1795). Nawab Saadat Ali Khan (1798-1814), during his serious illness , it is advised by british resident to shift in this building. He shifted and resumed and resumed his health and named the building Farhat Baksh Kothi meaning pleasure-giving. The basement was built to rescue from extremely hot summer as the air waves passing through the water turned cool. The building has square design in Gothic style. The ceilings were having beautiful paintings on the second floor. Pillared balcony was built for viewing all around. Later on Nawab Saadat Ali Khan beautified it further with denticulate arches and awadh style doors and window.

About Kothi Farhat Baksh 

General Claude Martin had built it as his own residence. This small but beautiful building is a unique example of Indo-European architecture. Later, nawaab Saadat Ali Khan purchased it from Martin and it served as a residence for successive rulers including Wajid Ali Shah. Later, the Lal Baradari was built for the Shahi Takht overlooking this place.

Farhat Bakhsh is better known today as Chhatar Manzil for the structure annexed to it later. Farhat Bakhsh was originally constructed by the French general, Claude Martin as his ‘town house’ (as he called it) after clearing the woods on the bank of the river Gomti. close to the Residency. It was completed in 1781 and Martin lived in it, till he died in one of its rooms in 1800. However, according to his Will, he was buried at Constantia (which is now the La Martiniere College for boys) where he had provided an underground vault for the purpose.