2-981-777 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Martiniere, Lucknow, 1876. 'At first glance one exclaims, "How beautiful! what a splendid building!" at the second, "Why, it must have been built by a madman!" At the distance of more than half a mile we can make out the eccentric array of statues, the huge lions' heads, the incongruous columns, arches, pillars, windows, and flights of stairs leading to nothing, which are the distinguishing features of the Martiniere'. La Martinière Boys' College was founded by an endowment from the wealthy Frenchman, Major-General Claude Martin. Constantia, the palatial building which now houses the Boys' College, was built in 1785 as Martin's country residence, and completed in 1802. The tower on the left is known as The Lat. From "Illustrated London News", 1876.