In 1870, the Maharaja of Vijaynagaram first floated the idea of starting a medical college in Lucknow and offered to donate Rs 3 lacs, but due to paucity of funds this was not passed by the Government and the dream of the Maharaja could not take shape. It was in 1905 that, to commemorate the visit of Prince of Wales to India, the Raja of Jehangirabad and Sir Taussuduq Rasool requested the Raja of Ayodhya to persuade Sir James LaTouche, Lt. Governor of United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) to recommend the establishment of the medical college to the Governor of India. This time the Government gave its sanction but with the condition that the people of United Provinces raise a sum of Rs 8 lacs.
The fund raising activities were completed within a few months, notable contributors being Maharaj of Balrampur, Maharaj of Ayodhya, Raja of Jehangirabad, Rana Sheoraj Singh and Nawab Yusuf Ali. The Government of India was then informed of the collection and the Prince of Wales laid the foundation stone on 26th December 1905 on a plot of land donated by UP Government on the bank of River Gomti, where once stood the beautiful Macchi Bhawan. Lt Governor Sir James Latouche took an active part in the planning of this project. Sir Swinton Jacob, the famous architect designed the building in Indo- Saracenic style, so as to blend naturally with the minarets and monuments of this 'nawabi' city.