Lucknow

LUCKNOW

Lucknow is the capital city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and is situated on the bank of the Gomti river. Historically, Lucknow was the capital of the Awadh region, controlled by the Delhi Sultanate and later the Mughal Empire.  It is also famous for a different name  'The Nawab City', which means a city full of great people.  This city is also known for its tehzib and  Aadab meaning has a unique style and comfort on its own. The established courtesans were especially known for their poems and dance.   Chikan is considered the most delicate fabric decorating the cupboards with its neat hand - made embroidery.  
 

Some of the most popular monumental heritage of Lucknow is the Imambara, Rumi Darwaza, and Sankat Mochan Temple, which have religious importance .  Lucknow has always been a multicultural city that flourished as a North Indian cultural and artistic hub. Lucknow, along with Agra and Varanasi, is in the Uttar Pradesh Heritage Arc, a chain of  triangulations created by the Government of Uttar Pradesh to boost tourism in the state.

MAJOR ATTRACTION

Bara Imambara

 Bara Imambara, also known as Asfi Imambara is an imambara complex in Lucknow,  built by Asaf-ud-Daula, Nawab of Awadh in 1784. Bara means big. The building also includes the large Asfi mosque, the Bhul-bhulaiya (the labyrinth), and Bowli, a step well with running water. It has two gateways enter to the main hall. A large open space with 50m long and 15m width is constructed with out any external support. It was designed with Mughal Architecture.  

    Chota Imambara

Historical landmark of Lucknow, Chota Imambara or the Husainabad Imambara,  it shows a   mixture of Charbagh, Persian and Indo-Islamic structural designs. Built in the year 1837, the Imambara looks beautiful with its golden dome, gold-edged mirrors and silver throne.

This beautiful monument has hold an interesting story behind its history. While the great famine of the 19th century, affected to all of the lower strata in the society, the then Nawab of Oudh started built Chota Imambara under the Food for Work program, which was a great effort for the people of that time.

 Imambara was referred by European visitors and writers as The Palace of Lights. The exterior is very beautifully decorated with Quranic verses in Islamic calligraphy . Interiors are decorated with Arabic calligraphy and glass works. Often called as the palace of lights, this Imambara shines during the eve of Muharam when the entire lamps and Belgium chandeliers shine with their lights.  It is to be noted that non-muslims are not permitted to enter into Chota Imambara.

 Farangi Mahal

 This building belonged to a French businessman by name Neal, who had to given up his entire trade and belongings as per the royal decree. As the then law provides confiscation of the properties of a foreigner, all the properties of Neal automatically went in to the government treasury. Later during the reign of Aurangazeeb, this flamboyant house was given to his Islamic consultant Mullah Asad bin Qutab Shaheed and to his brother Mullah Asad bin Qutab uddin Shaheed. They developed this house into a full fledged Islamic school, which was often compared with Oxford and the Cambridge universities.

As a dominant Islamic institution of the 18th century, Firangi Mahal served a lot in preserving the long tradition of the rich Islamic culture wide its well oriented curriculum and broad syllabus. In fact the heads of this great institution helped the muslims of India to overcome the trauma of colonial exploration and to preserve their spiritually oriented lifestyle.

Kaiserbagh Palace

 Kaiserbah Palace was built by Wajid Ali Shah, the Nawab of Awadh in 1847. The palace was his dream project, and he wanted it to be counted as the eighth wonder of the world. The British government destroyed the palace as they felt it had become a stronghold on the nawabs. a large part of the complex including the court, enclosures of the tombs and residences of the nawab were demolished. The palace is the mixture of Mughal and European style with of  pillars,   Hindu umbrellas, lanterns and   minarets.   In keeping with the traditions of the era, the palace has separate chambers for the royal ladies.  A majestic 12-door building made of white stone also stands in the centre of the palace.

 

Rumi Darwaza

 It is  a gateway which was built by Nawab Asaf-Ud-Daula in 1784 .It is an example of Awadhi architecture. It used to mark the entrance to Old Lucknow City, but as the City of Nawabs grew and expanded, it was later used as an entrance to a palace which was later demolished by the British Raj during the Indian Mutiny.

 Gautam Buddha

Park is the latest addition to the many historical parks and monuments of Lucknow. It is believed that Gautam Buddha spent a major part of his life in Uttar Pradesh and that the earlier name of Lucknow was Nucklow, derived from the nails of Buddha that were placed here in a stupa. The park was developed by the Lucknow Development Authority in 1980 over an area of ten acres. It hosts a giant idol of Buddha on a giant marble platform.  It  has peaceful ambience with its serene environment and natural beauty. It has artistically landscaped gardens, fountains, lamp posts, benches, railings, a variety of plants and several small statues. A favourite destination of the local visitors as well as the tourists, the park offers a host of recreational activities both to the children and grown ups.

Sikander Bagh

Sikandar Bagh refers primarily to a garden, it also has a villa in the premises. It was built by the Nawab Wajid Ali Shah.  He named the garden after  his favourite wife Sikandar Mahal Begum. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was a colourful personality. He, therefore, built a pavilion in the middle of the garden where he loved to watch Ras-lilas, Kathak dances and hear music and mushairas and other cultural and artistic performances. The Bagh was, however, converted into a stronghold against the British army during the first war of Indian Independence in 1857. It hosted 2200 soldiers during the Siege of Lucknow. Several people were killed by the British forces led by Commander-in-Chief Sir Colin Campbell. With the past behind, Sikandar Bagh is now a home to the National Botanical Research Institute of India.

 

HOW TO REACH

BY RAIL - Lucknow city centre is a major railway station in North India. It connects to all rail heads in India. It is directly connected to Trivandrum, Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata.

BY  AIR - The Lucknow airport is 14 km away from the heart of the city.  Lucknow is connected to airports in Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Jaipur and Mumbai by daily flights. Delhi International airport is 497 km away, which is well connected to all major cities in India and many cities abroad.

BY ROAD - Lucknow is easily connected to all nearby cities by public transport buses. The city is well connected with other major cities like Agra, Kanpur, Delhi, Allahabad and Dehradun by private tourist bus services