LUCKNOW, April 1 -- After years of neglect left it cracked and crumbling, a 19th-century royal kitchen inside Lucknow's Chhota Imambara is being brought back to life, with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) using traditional methods to restore it to its original form. The aim is to restore it exactly as it existed during the time of the nawabs of Awadh.

The intricate exercise in conservation is nearing completion. The project, which began around six months ago, is now in its final stages and is expected to be completed within 1-2 weeks.

"This is not a routine repair work. Our goal is to restore the structure to its original form, using traditional materials and techniques," Aftab Hussain, superintending archaeologist, ASI, Lucknow...