File:P16. The Nobut Khana Gateway (cropped).jpg

English: P16. The Nobut Khana Gateway.

The Nobut Khana gateway was situated about sixty yards in front, and to the left of the “ Baillie Guard.” It was formerly an extremely handsome archway, and of great strength. After the mutiny in cantonments, Sir Henry Lawrence perceived what a dangerous post this would be in the hands of an enemy, and gave orders for its destruction, provided that the operation could be effected without causing' an explosion sufficiently loud to arouse the inhabitants of the city, who were, at the time, in a state of the greatest excitement, and ready to rise at the slightest signal. The arch, however, resisted the feeble efforts that were made to blow it down, and when the siege commenced, many of our garrison fell victims to the enemy’s riflemen stationed in the upper story.

A plate from Sketches & Incidents of the Siege of Lucknow. From Drawings Made during the Siege, by Clifford Henry Mecham, Lieutenant Madras Army, with descriptive notices by George Couper, esq. late secretary to the Chief Commissioner of Oude. First edition, tinted lithographed title with vignette, 27 views on 17 tinted lithographed plates, folio, Day & Son, published 1 Oct 1858.