Introduction to city
Lucknow - In Uttar Pradesh
Few places in the world are endowed with such rich
cultural traditions as in this romantic city of Nawabs.
Whether it is history, architecture, music, dance,
handicrafts, etiquette, or sports—Lucknow has its own
story to tell.
Surprisingly, the story of Lucknow began not very long
ago. Though the city traces its origin to the Suryavanshi
dynasty of Ayodhya, it actually came into prominence
during the 18th century. In 1732, Muhammad Shah, one of
the later kings of the once-powerful Mughal dynasty,
appointed Mohammad Amir Saadat Khan, a Persian adventurer
of noble lineage, to the viceroyalty of the area known as
Avadh, of which Lucknow was a part. Saadat Khan was the
founder of the famous dynasty known as the Nawab Wazirs—a
dynasty which changed the face of this hitherto
little-known place. Under his successors, Lucknow flowered
as never before and all but became the cultural nerve
centre of Northern India. The rapid growth of Lucknow
dates from 1755 when the fourth Nawab, Asaf-ud-Daula
transferred the capital of Avadh from Faizabad to Lucknow
and began constructing some splendid architectural
marvels, a tradition that was sustained by this
successors. During this period, Lucknow also established
its pre-eminent place in the field of poetry, music and
dance. A colourful local culture, incorporating fairs and
festivals also flourished alongside. However, what set
apart Lucknow from other cities of the time was a certain
elegance and grace of lifestyle. In fact, even today the
city breathes history, and the sound of laughter and
music, the tinkling of ankle bells and the mellifluous
rendering of Urdu poetry (shairi) still echo and
reverberate through the long corridors of time. As you
wander through the city, you will encounter a kind of
refined courtesy that seems to belong to another age.
Sightseeing : Places to visit in destination - Lucknow
For any visitor to this city, a trip to the various
architectural wonders is an absolute must. Among the most
important monuments are the Imambadas, popularly known as
the Bada Imambada (also Asafi Imambada) and the Chhota
Imambada (also Hussainabad Imambada). The remains of
the British presence and the battles fought during the
Revolt of 1857 can also be seen here. Besides, there are
the Shah Najaf Imambada, Residency, Rumi Darwaza,
Kaiserbagh Palace Complex, National Botanical Research
Institute and the
State Museum and Zoo.
Lucknow
Sightseeing : Places to visit in destination Lucknow
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Places to visit in the city Lucknow |
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BADA IMAMBADA -
Lucknow
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The Bada Imambada or Asafi Imambada was built by
Nawab Asaf-ul-Daula in 1784 as a relief work during
the terrible famine that year. Apart from the
galleries in the interior, there is no woodwork
anywhere. The interior vaulted hall, measuring 162
feet in length, 53 feet in width and 50 feet in
height, is said to be one of the largest apartments
of its kind in the world. From the outside, a
staircase leads to a series of artfully designed
labyrinths (bhoolbhulaiyan) where it is very easy to
get lost. You can wander through the zigzag narrow
galleries for hours without finding your way out!
It/’s a very eerie sensation, moving towards the
sunlit corridors that seem to be going out, only to
find that you are actually deeper in the labyrinth.
Most visitors therefore are only allowed inside with
guides who are familiar with the maze. |
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HUSSAINABAD IMAMBADA
- Lucknow
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Also known as Chhota Imambada, the Hussainabad
Imambada was built between 1837 and 1842 by Mohammed
Ali Shah. The structure houses the tombs of Mohammed
Ali Shah and his mother. The Imambada has a white
dome and numerous turrets and minarets. Verses in
Arabic decorate the walls of the mausoleum. The
interiors are adorned with chandeliers, gilded
mirrors, colourful stucco, the King/’s throne and
ornate tazia or replicas of the tombs at Karbala.
The Imambada also encloses a tank with small
imitations of the Taj Mahal on each side. A clock
tower estimated to be 67 metres high overlooks the
Hussainabad tank. During Muharram, the Imambada is
illuminated giving it a wonderful look. |
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SHAH NAJAF IMAMBADA
- Lucknow
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This mausoleum situated on the right bank of the
Gomti houses the remains of Ghazi-ud-din Haider and
his wives. In the centre of the building lies the
silver tomb of Ghazi-ud-din Haider flanked by the
more imposing silver and gold tomb of Mubarak Mahal,
his European wife, on one side and another tomb on
the other. The Imambada derives its name from Najaf,
a town situated about 200 km south of Baghdad where
the saint Hazrat Ali was buried. |
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RESIDENCY - Lucknow
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Lying in ruins near Hazratganj area, which is the
centre of the city, the Lucknow Residency reminds
one of the British presence in this city of Nawabs
some two centuries ago. The Residency was built in
1780-1800 for the British Resident in Avadh. During
the Mutiny of 1857, the Residency was besieged by
the rebels and it became the centre of the conflict
in this area. The compound inside the Residency/’s
walls is now a historic monument. The Treasury
served as an arsenal during the Mutiny. The
residency, to the northeast has tykhanas or
underground rooms used in summers. |
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RUMI DARWAZA -
Lucknow
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Apart from the Bada Imambada, Asaf-ud-Daula also
built the 60-feet-high Rumi Darwaza to create
employment during the famine of 1784. The ornate
gateway is said to be a replica of one of the gates
of Constantinople. |
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KAISERBAGH PALACE
COMPLEX - Lucknow
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Nawab Wajid Ali Shah started the construction of
this palace complex in 1848 and it was completed in
1850. The yellow buildings on three sides of the
quadrangle were supposed to be the living quarters
for the ladies of the harem. A picturesque white
stone edifice, Baradari, stands in the centre. The
edifice was paved with silver earlier. |
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NATIONAL BOTANICAL
RESEARCH INSTITUTE - Lucknow
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The botanical gardens, which form the home of
National Botanical Research Institute, are located
at Sikandarbagh. It was at Sikandarbagh that pitched
battles took place during the Mutiny of 1857. |
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STATE
MUSEUM
AND ZOO -
Lucknow
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The Lucknow Zoo in the Banarsi Bagh has a large
collection of animals. Located within the zoo
premises is the Lucknow Museum. The museum houses a
large collection of artefacts and memorabilia. A
splendid collection of stone sculptures brought from
Mathura forms the highlight of the museum. There are
also a statues of Queen Victoria and some of her
court men kept in the garden area of the museum
complex. |
Excursions : Places nearby
city - Lucknow
The places around Lucknow provide the visitor a further
insight into the city’s religious and cultural heritage.
The excursion spots also give one the idea of the region’s
rich flora and fauna. For the religious-minded and for the
nature lovers, the
Kukrali Reserve Forest, Deva Sharif, Nawabganj Bird
Sanctuary and Naimisharanaya
are not to be missed.
Lucknow Excursion :
Places nearby Lucknow - Uttar Pradesh
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Places to visit nearby destination - Lucknow |
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Deva Sharif
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About 25 km from Lucknow is the tomb of Syed Haji
Waris Ali Shah, also known as Deva Sharif. The place
is revered by both Hindus and Muslims. A large
number of devotees visit this shrine during the
annual Urs of the saint held in October–November.
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Kukrali
Reserve
Forest
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Developed by the Forest Department, the Kukrali
Reserve Forest is a picnic spot situated at a
distance of 15 km from Lucknow. There is a deer farm
and a crocodile nursery. A children/’s park,
cafeteria and rest house have also been built. One
can see spotted deer, black buck, sambhar and a
variety of birds in their natural abode.
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Naimisharanaya
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Naimisharanya is an important religious centre
situated at about 94 km from Lucknow. The place has
the temple dedicated to the goddess Lalita. Other
places of attraction here are Dadhichi Kund, Vyas
Gaddi, Chakratirth and Hanuman Garhi. |
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Nawabganj Bird
Sanctuary
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Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary is situated at about 43 km
from Lucknow on the Kanpur highway. The major
attractions here are the Siberian migratory birds
that flock the sanctuary every year. Best season to
visit the sanctuary is between October and March.
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