Lucknow is known all over the world for the tehjeeb or the courteous behaviour of its people. It is a rare city. Few places in the world are endowed with such rich cultural traditions, as is this romantic city of the nawabs. Whether it is history, architecture, music, dance, handicrafts, etiquette, or sports, Lucknow has its own story to tell. Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, was also the capital city of the Nawabs of Awadh. These rulers ruled a region of north central India for about a century after the decline of Mughal empire and most interesting monuments in Lucknow date from the period. The capital was shifted from Faizabad to Lucknow by Asaf-ud-Daula. Before that Sardar Jang lived in and ruled from Delhi. After that all the nawabs were hopeless in running the state of affairs. However, the nawabs were great patrons of the art, especially dance and music, and Lucknow’s reputation as a city of culture and gracious living stems for this time. Situated on the banks of River Gomti, the city of Nawabs is famous all over the world for its etiquettes and Tehzeeb or the graceful and polite behavior. Famous for its lovely monuments, architecture, dance and handicrafts. Lucknow is also popular for shopping and zoological parks. The city enjoys being capital of Uttar Pradesh and has some very good tourists destinations to visit. The monuments of city are unique of there kind, be it Bhulbhulaiya or the Residency. The city is equally famous for its culture and culinary has a laid back image and the favorite pastime of people in the city is to sit across any of its numerous food-joints and gossip. Lucknow gained prominence in the field of poetry, music, and dance. The lavish and royal and yet graceful lifestyle of the city sets the city apart from other cities of its time.
Population : 1,800,000
Main Languages : Hindi, English.
Telephone area code : 0522
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Bara Imambara
The Bada Imambada or Asafi Imambada (Imambada: patriarch’s place) is an important tourist attraction of Lucknow. this is a religious buildingbelonging to the Shia muslim sect. the complex comprises magnificent buildings, including the splendid Imambara, an impressive mosque, and a complicated maze known as Bhulbhulaiya, which is a major attraction of the Imambara complex. The Bara Imambara is said to have been commissioned by Asaf-ud-Daula inn 1784 as part of his famine relief programme.
Hussainabad Imambara
It is also known as the Chhota or small Imambara and was built by Muhammad Ali Shah in 1837 to serve as his own mausoleum. The main building of the Imambara is topped with numerous domes and minarets, while inside are the tombs of Ali Shah and his mother. The throne of the Nawah is also exhibited here.
Rumi Darwaza – Apart from the Bada Imambada, Asaf-ud-Daula also built the great Roomi Darwaza as a relief work during the famine of 1783, this magnificent gateway is one of the most impressive gateways in India. It is one of the major tourist attractions of Lucknow, and features prominently in all guidebooks about Lucknow. Said to be a facsimile of one of the gates of Constantinople, this soaring edifice, which is 60 feet high, can match any similar structure in point of beauty and splendor.
Chota Imambara – The Hussainabad or Chota Imambada is an exquisite building built by Nawab Muhammad Ali Shah in 1839 as a burial place for himself. Chota Imambada has the tombs of Mohammed Ali Shah and his family members, the former being the builder of the structure. . The beautiful Imambada, reflected in the placid water of the tank is one of the prettier sights in Lucknow. On either side of the courtyards stand a miniature version of the Taj Mahal.
Sikandar Bagh – this garden was built in early 19th century and later used as the summer palace by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the last ruler of Oudh who was deposed by the British East India Company. The garden was also the sight of fierce fighting during the 1857 revolt.
Residency
It was built in 1800 for the British resident. During the 1857 mutiny the British inhabitants took refuge with Sir Henry Lawrence at the Residency. It has been maintained exactly as it was at the time of mutiny, the shattered walls scarred by cannon shot. It has a model room in the main building and downstairs are the cellars where many woman and children lived throughout the siege. The cemetery which is nearby the ruined church has graves of 2000 men, women & children and also of Sir Henry Lawrence.
Other attractions include the Shah Najaf Imambara, which is the tomb of Ghazi-ud-din Haiden Khan who died in 1827; the Martinere School, which was built by Frenchman Major General Claude Martin; Kaiserbagh Palace, built by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah in 1850, The state museum and the Nandan Mahal; which was built in 1600 and is the tomb of the first governor of Avadh appointed by Akbar.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - Lucknow is connected by daily flight from major towns and cities of India.
BY RAIL - Lucknow is well connected with the rest of the country by a large number of trains, including some of the best known passenger trains operating in Northern India, including the New Delhi bound superfast Shatabdi Express. Some other trains passing through Lucknow include – the Sadhbhavna Express, Shramajivi Express, Neelachal Express, Awadh Assam Express, and Shaheed Express. There are two major railway juctions in the city, namely the Charbagh, and Lucknow Junctions, which lie side by side.
BY ROAD - Lucknow is also well connected to other cities of the country by road. The distances to some nearby cities are as follows: Delhi, 499 km; Jhansi, 340 km; Srinagar, 1394 km; Varanasi, 319 km.
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