Once an abode of the
Nawabs of Oudh and still evocative of a very refined lifestyle of
the days gone by is Lucknow-the capital city of Uttar Pradesh. The
city grew around the banks of River Gomati during the Indo-Islamic
period and many of its imperial mansions still serve as testimony
to the majestic past, though most of them are, today, in a
crumbling state. The people still have retained the well known
royal mannerisms and charms, refined speech, nurtured Urdu verse.
Also characteristic of this city are the people's delicate tastes
for music and dance - Lucknow being home to the Hindustani
classical music and Kathak form of dance - poetry and verse - the
city having contributed greatly of Hindi and Urdu literature.
Although strongly Mughal in character, the city had also
incorporated a stark European streak during the British Raj, which
still makes its presence felt.
(Distance from the Airport 15 Kms. Approx, time 40 Mins.)
Places of Interest
Bara Imambara
Perhaps the best
example of Lucknow's architectural finery is the Bara Imambara
Built in 1784 by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula. His and his family's
remains are enshrined in this tomb. This monument stands in a
large enclosure and has adjacent to it a mosque and a great
ornamental gate, the Rumi Durwaza. The charming accurate
labyrinth, locally known as the Bhulbhulaiya is also next to
the Bara Imambara.
The British
Residency
Built in 1780
for the British, this place has been a mute witness to several
uprisings of the locals against the British Raj. The fiercest
of mutinies in 1857 were fought here. Today, as a result of
the uprisings, only ruins of the British Residency remain.
Picture Gallery
Originally a
huge tank and later renovated, this gallery displays portraits
of the various Nawabs of Oudh.
La Martinlere
School
Originally known
as Constantine, this school was built by Claude Martin, a
Frenchman, in the 18th century and is one of the earliest
buildings in Lucknow built in Italian style of architecture
