Binnenplaats van de Dargah Hazrat Abbas in Lucknow before 1874

This is a photograph of the courtyard of the Dargah Hazrat Abbas in Lucknow, captured by Darogha Ubbas Alli. The arches, repeated in their rhythmic succession, are dominant visual symbols, framing a sacred space. Consider how the arch, this architectural motif, transcends cultures and epochs. From Roman aqueducts to Gothic cathedrals, the arch symbolizes passage and transition, a gateway between worlds. Here, in Lucknow, the arches create a permeable boundary between the mundane and the divine, inviting entry into a space of contemplation. The dome, too, speaks volumes. In its upward thrust, it echoes the heavens, embodying aspirations of transcendence. Think of the Pantheon in Rome, or the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul; the dome is a universal symbol of cosmic order. The minaret piercing the sky signifies a connection to the divine, guiding the faithful. These elements connect the architecture to a collective unconscious, triggering ancestral memories of sacred spaces. Thus, the image captures a dance of cultural memory. It reminds us that symbols are never static; they evolve, resurface, and adapt.