A Special Report Of Gorakhpur

• The Raj Bhavan of Lucknow, in the capital of Uttar Pradesh is an ancient and historical building, which is over 200 years old. This building was initially called Kothi Hayat Baksh and Major General Claude Martin drew the layout of this building. In the history of Avadh, Major General Claude Martin is revered as a renowned personality. The birth of Claude Martin took place in a city named Lyons in France on 4^th January 1735. Claude Martin came to India in the year 1785 as a bodyguard of Count Dilaly. After staying for some time in southern and eastern parts of India, he later came to Lucknow. He was so fascinated by its beauty, rich culture and mannerisms of the inhabitants of Lucknow that he chose Lucknow to be his permanent place of residence. Undoubtedly Claude Martin was extremely talented and a man of many capabilities and qualities. Making plans for Lucknow, supervision of construction and maintenance of beautiful & magnificent structures were Martin’s favorite hobbies. It was this talent that helped him to become the chief in Nawab Asaf-ud-Daulla’s darbar.
• In the year 1798 after Nawab Asaf-ud-daula, East India Company’s government made Saadat Ali Khan, originally hailing from Durga Kund Banaras, the new ruler. The new ruler took a liking for the buildings constructed in European style by Martin. Hence, as per the wishes of Saadat Ali Khan, Martin undertook the contract for construction of buildings for the Nawab. The Kothi Hayat Baksh is one such work of art created in partnership by both of them.