By TCN Special Correspondent,
Lucknow: Time will soon change for the Lucknow’s Big Ben-Hussainabad Clock Tower as district administration has undertaken its repairing. However, there is another clock tower in Lucknow- a miniature replica of Hussainabad Clock Tower is still awaiting for its day.
Known as Irshad Clock Tower, the magnificent tower is closest to Hussainabad Clock Tower in Lucknow. Situated near City Station, the tower was constructed by Bahadur Nawab Syed Hamid Hussain Khan in memory of his son Nawab Syed Irshad Husain Khan who died at the young age of 30 years. Nawad Hamid was conferred OBE and MBE honour from the Britishers and was also an honorary life magistrate besides being the chairman of Lucknow Municipal Corporation.
The tower constructed in around 1922 is unique in the feature that it echoes after every 15 minutes. The clock was imported from England and was installed in the tower which has a small park named Hamid Park around the structure. Around 55 feet in height, the four dials are around four feet in diameter in a milky white colour. The hands of the clock were made from copper and are still shining.
The clock tower remained functional till few months ago when it went silent. The present descendent of Nawab Hamid contacted the experts from Bareilly for its repairing. “Once such craftsman for old clock tower tried his hand but left without completing the job. The clock tower is since then non-functional though we are trying hard to make it sound once again,” said Syed Masoom Raza, the present generation of the family.
Meanwhile, retired engineer Akhilesh Aggrawal who has undertaken the repairing of Hussainabad Clock Tower too favours restoration of the Irshad Clock Tower. “We have done one inspection of the clock tower at the request of the Raza family. However we are too occupied with our main project for Hussainabad and will be able to devote time only after completing it,” said Akhilesh.