Lucknow

Lucknow the capital city of Uttar Pradesh rose to prominence as the capital city during the era of the Nawabs of Awadh. These Nawabs ruled the northern region of India for about a century after the decline of Mughal empire and most interesting monuments in Lucknow date from the period. 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.

The imperial city has an unmatched cultural heritage that makes it a special tourist attraction. Despite the Indo-Persian legacy,Lucknow has a composite Indian culture. The city is reputed for its chikan embroidery. The city has a lot to offer to a tourist including Bada Imambada,Chota Imambada,Shaheed Ismarak and Roomi Darwaza.

Built in 1784 by Asaf-ud-Daula as famine relief project Bara Imambara is one of the largest vaulted galleries in the world. It is one of the architectural highlights of the era. It has a central hall that is 50m long and 15m high. Beside the Imambara stands the finely designed Rumi Darwaza that was also built by Asaf-ud-Daula. Except for the galleries in the interior,there is no woodwork used in the structure. Within the compound of the Imambara is a grand Asafi mosque.

Beside the Bara Imambara and also built by Asaf-ud-Daula,this huge and finely designed darwaza or gate is a replica of one in Istanbul. 'Rumi',derived from the name Rome,is the term Muslims applied to Istanbul when it was still Byzantium,the capital of the eastern Roman Empire.

The third Nawab of Avadh,Muhammad Ali Shah built this imposing structure in 1840 and named it Husainabad Imambara. The main building has numerous domes and minarets,while inside the imambara lie the tombs of Ali Shah and his mother. The throne of the Nawah is also exhibited here.

The interior of this magnificent building has chandeliers from Belgium,lamp shades and other decorative pieces which might have costed a fortune in those days. The main hall of prayer and penance is profusely decorated with large mirrors of the finest Belgian glass,sparkling crystal chandeliers,and colourful lamps.

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.

• By Train : Delhi-Lucknow,Shatabdi express (6.5 hrs) and trains from Agra & Varanasi.
• By Air : Daily flight from Delhi,Mumbai,Calcutta,Patna & Varanasi.