Indo Islamic Heritage
Shia Masjid Gulabbari is a local Shia mosque located within the historic Gulab Bari complex in Vaidehi Nagar, Faizabad (now part of Ayodhya district), Uttar Pradesh. It forms part of the larger Imambada Gulab Bari, a significant Shia religious site featuring a mosque attached to an Imambara, alongside the mausoleum of Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula. This modest yet architecturally notable mosque serves the local Shia community and is integrated into one of Awadh's finest 18th-century heritage ensembles.
Gulab Bari, meaning "Garden of Roses," is a prominent historical Islamic site in Uttar Pradesh, renowned as the mausoleum (maqbara) of Shuja-ud-Daula, the third Nawab of Awadh (ruled 1753–1775). Located in Vaidehi Nagar, Faizabad, the complex exemplifies Indo-Islamic architecture from the Nawabi era and includes lush gardens with fountains, the central tomb, and importantly, a Shia mosque known locally as Shia Masjid Gulabbari, which has an attached Imambara (congregation hall for Shia mourning rituals). The mosque within the Gulab Bari complex features distinctive domes, tall minarets, and intricate designs typical of Awadh's assimilative style, blending Mughal and local influences. As a Shia place of worship, it reflects the sect's prominence during the Nawabi period, when Faizabad served as the capital of Awadh. The entire site, including the mosque and Imambara, was developed around the tomb constructed during Shuja-ud-Daula's lifetime and enhanced under the patronage of his wife, Bahu Begum. Though not as grand as Lucknow's Bara Imambara, it remains a key example of Shia Islamic heritage in the region, used for prayers and religious gatherings. While the primary mausoleum dates to the late 18th century (circa 1775), specific records for the mosque's exact construction year are limited, as it was built as an integral part of the overall complex. Today, it stands as a peaceful local mosque amid the rose gardens, attracting visitors interested in Awadh's Nawabi legacy.
Year of Built: Late 18th Century
Address: Q5J4+4JQ, Vaidehi Nagar, Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh 224001
Country: India
State: Uttar Pradesh
District: Faizabad
Pincode: 224001
Longitude: 82.1610° E
Latitude: 26.7819° N