In three lectures we shall discuss the reconstruction of the city of Lucknow after the tumultuous events of 1857. The case-study of Lucknow contributes to the discussion on architectural authority and colonial spaces as well as to the concept of ‘dual cities’ of the colonized worlds. The reconstruction of Lucknow captures the principles behind the transformation of a native city into one that is safe and salubrious from the point of view of the ruling British population. After 1857 the king was exiled and the city came under new masters. As a result a new city was grafted on the old one.