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Lucknow
 Lucknow, the capital
city of Uttar Pradesh, is located on the banks of the Gomti River.
Lucknow could be termed the cultural center of northern India where
people are too polite and have their own charming culture and tradition,
difficult to find elsewhere. The beautiful city with parks, palaces,
gardens and imposing architectural monuments, Lucknow became one of the
most celebrated centers of Oriental opulence, music, dance, drama ,
poetry and scholarship during its glorious days of Nawabs (1775 AD -
1856 AD). The exotic and highly cultured Lucknow with all its pomp and
splendour is very much able to accommodate the modernity, keeping the
tradition and culture alive altogether. The land of endearing 'Pahle Aap'
Tehzeeb (culture), Lucknow is also renowned for its silks, perfumes,
jewelry, mouth-watering cuisines, and nawabi etiquettes.
Places to See
Hussainnabad Imambara :
Also known as the Chhota, or Small Imambara, This was built by
Mohammed Ali Shah in 1837 as his own mausoleum. Thousands of labourers
worked on the project to gain famine relief. The large courtyard
encloses a raised rectangular tank with small imitations of the Taj
Mahal on each side. one of them is the tomb of Mohammed Ali Shah
daughter, the other that of her husband. The main building of the
imambara, topped by a golden dome, contains the tombs of ali Shah and
his mother. Opposite the Hussainabad Imambara is Satkhanda and also
known as Sven Storey Tower. A 67m-high defunct clock tower, overlooks
the Hussainabad Tank nearby. West of the Hussainabad Imambara is the
Jama Masjid which was started by Mohammed Ali Shah and Completed after
his Death.
 Bara Imambara
: The Bara or Great Imambara (an imambara is the tomb of a
Shi'ite Muslim holy man) was built in 1784 by Asaf-ud-Daula. The central
hall of the Imambara, at 50m long and 15m high, is one of the largest
vaulted galleries in the world. An external stairway leads to an upper
floor laid out as an amazing labyrinth known as the Bhulbhulaiya. Beside
the Imambara, and built by Asaf-ud-Daula , is the imposing Rumi Darwaza.
Laxman Tila :
Situated north of the Imambara complex which houses the Alamgir
Mosque, was built by Sultan Ali, the governor of Awadh during
Aurangzeb's reign.
Rumi Darwaza :
Rumi Darwaza is a massive gateway situated west of the Bara
Imambara and was built by Nawab Asaf-ud-daulah in 1784.
The Residency :
Built in 1800 for the British Resident, this group of buildings
became the stage for
 the
the most dramatic events of the 1857 Uprising the Siege of Lucknow. The
red-brick ruins are peaceful now a days, surrounded by lawns and
flowerbeds, but thousands died during the months-long siege. The
Residency has been maintaind as it was at the time of the final relief,
and the shattered walls are still scarred by cannon shot. Even since
Independence, little has changed. The only major work done on the place
was the unveiling of an Indian Martyrs Memorial directely opposite. you
can see cellars in the main Residency building where many of the women
and children lived throughout the siege. The cemetery at the nearby
ruined church has the graves of 2000 men, women and children, including
that of Sir Henry Lawrence, 'who tried to do his duty' according to the
famous inscription on his weathered gravestone.
Clock Tower : Near the Rumi Darwaza,
is a 221 feet high clock tower built by Nawab Mohammed Ali Shah in 1881.
 Chattar Manzil
:
Near Chowk, is an imposing building whose construction was
started by Nawab Ghazi Haider but was completed by his successor, Nawab
Nasiruddin Haider. The Main attractions include huge underground rooms
and a beautiful dome surrounded by gilt umbrella. European architectural
influences can also be seen.
Travel Information
Air : Lucknow is connected with Calcutta,
Delhi, Patna and Mumbai.
Rail : Lucknow is the major railway
junction and connected directly with main cities of the country.
Road : Lucknow is connected by road with
all parts of the country.
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