The accession of Asaf-ud-daula, the fourth Nawab Wazir of Avadh, brought a great change in Avadh politics. Under the rule of Asaf-ud-daula the court of Lucknow became utterly splendid and Lucknow acquired great majesty among its peer cities of that time.
He shifted his from Faizabad to Lucknow in 1755, and the most important outcome of Asaf-ud-daula consolidation of the court at Lucknow, was the emergence of a powerful Shia culture, in constant interaction with the Shia heart lands of Iran and Iraq. The increasing number of Shia emigrants from Iranian cities veritably transformed Lucknow into a great intellectual centre. Asaf-ud-daula was also a great planner: He built the 'Daulat Khana' as a residence for himself; to the west of Macchi Bhawan (Fish Palace), the Rumi Darwaza and the incomparable Bara Imambara. The Imam-Bara & the Rumi-Gate were constructed as a famine relief measure in 1784. Consciously designed by its architect Kifayatullah, the 164 feet long and 52 feet wide building is constructed in brick with high quality limestone. The arched roof of the Imam-Bara, which is built without a single beam, is the largest of its kind in the World. The strength of the edifices can be judged from the facts that although built over 212 years they still stand intact, maintaining their original dignity and grandeur.
The Bhulbhulaiya at Bara Imambara, is a unique labyrinth of intricate balconies and passages, with 489 identical doorways, which give the feeling of being lost. He also built the Bibiyapur Kothi. It was built by Asaf-ud-daula as a country residence where he frequently resorted for hunting, of which he was passionately fond. The beautiful Chunhat Kothi was also built by Asaf-ud-daula. General Claude Martin entered the court of Avadh under Asaf-ud-daula, and created the plan of his 'Constantia'. The Nawab was so overwhelmed by his design that he decided to purchase it with ten lakhs gold coins. But before the transaction could be completed the Nawab departed for his heavenly abode in 1797, and was laid to rest in his magnificent Imambara. Nawab Asaf-ud-daula, son of Shuja-ud-daula, quarrelled with his mother and moved his quarters from Faizabad to Lucknow, which was a mere village which he turned into a rather grand place. The reputation and luxury of Avadh rivalled that of the Nizam's Hyderabad and adventurers flocked to his court from all over. One of his famous portraits by John Zoffany hangs in the famous La Martiniere College.
He had four thousand gardners, several hundred cooks, a thousand dogs and 300,000 fighting cocks and pigeons. He loved the racing of old women in sakcs. His benevolence is recited with," You may return from the Gates of Heaven empty handed, but not from the darbar of Asaf-ud-daula." He started the work on the Great Imambara with a true labyrinth (Bhul bhulaiya) where people have been said to have vanished into some of the passages and from where they have never come out. From the roof, the view of Lucknow is breathtaking. Along with this He had also build the British Residency, the Asifi Mosque, Turkish Gate and Chowk Bazaar.