4/5 Avadh Kishor D. 1 year ago on Google
La
Martiniere
College
is
one
of
the
oldest
institution
of
Lucknow
that
not
only
imparts
education
but
also
serves
as
a
monument
to
history
buffs.
The
construction
of
this
historic
building
began
in
the
year
1795
by
Claude
Martin.
Also
referred
to
as
Constantia,
this
concrete
structure
has
it’s
own
unique
style
of
architecture.
It’s
structural
design
reflects
amalgamation
of
the
best
motifs
of
the
Indian,
Turkish
and
Persian
architectural
styles
of
the
world.
The
founder
is
buried
in
an
underground
chamber
in
the
basement.
Above
this
basement
is
the
La
Martiniere
Memorial
hall
that
comprises
tablets
having
names
of
the
pupils
who
died
in
the
war
inscribed
on
it.
‘The
Tomb
of
Gori
Bibi,
the
founder’s
favourite
companion,
who
resided
with
him
in
Constantia
lies
on
the
La
Martiniere
estate’,
states
Mr.
Taqui,
a
famous
historian
of
Awadh.
A
grand
stairway
leads
to
the
East
Terrace
of
this
building.
It’s
flanked
by
canons
which
were
used
in
a
battle.
Moreover,
a
special
bell
cast
by
Claude
Martin
is
placed
on
the
pedestal.
The
impressive
Chapel
of
this
building
is
worth
a
visit.
Various
statues,
pottery
and
paintings
adorn
this
beautiful
historic
building.
Constantia
was
founded
by
Claude
Martin
(1735-1800),
an
officer
who
served
formerly
in
the
French
East
India
Company
and
had
later
joined
the
British
East
India
Company.
He
also
served
Nawab
Nawab
Asif-ud-daula
and
was
renowned
to
be
the
richest
Frenchman
in
India.
Constantia
was
built
as
Claude
Martin’s
residence
but
it’s
construction
work
was
completed
few
years
after
Martin’s
demise
(13th
September,
1800).
Martin
was
not
married
and
had
no
hier.
So
he
made
a
will
on
1st
January,
1800
,
which
stated
that
his
estate
would
be
used
to
build
three
schools
named
La
Martiniere
in
his
memory
in
Lucknow,
Calcutta
and
his
native
place
Lyon,
France.
It
was
for
the
first
time
when
the
Britishers
sought
help
from
the
staff
and
students
of
the
school
in
the
defence
of
the
Residency
during
the
mutiny
of
sepoys
in
the
year
1857.
In
the
initial
years,
the
school
admission
was
opened
to
only
European
students.
This
building
is
still
famous
as
Martin
Saheb
Ki
Kothi.