Lucknow

Lucknow of Uttar Pradesh is the city of Nawabs and is one of the most important centers of Muslim influence in South Asia. Lucknow is famous for its Qauwwali, Chikankari embroidery, Charbagh, poet contributions and Kabobs. Lucknow’s history states that the city was named after the brother of Lord Rama, Lakshman. It was during the reigns of the Nawabs who built Havelis, Palaces, Mosques and other monuments that the city grew in prominence. It was when the battle of Buxar was lost in 1764 that Lucknow passed to East India Company to remain the capital of Oudh and then the capital of Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow has numerous monuments tourists have to see; of which the Imambara is the most important. The Chota Imambara, Bada Imambara and Shah Naiaf Imambara are the most famous ones where the annual ‘Azadari’ occur in the Islamic month of Mohharum. Marsia sessions of the city and Tazia processions, along with its foods are trademarks of Lucknow. The food in Lucknow is scrumptious with no parallels at all. Kababs are the most favored dish here where the ‘Tunda Kabob’ and ‘Kulcha Nihari’ are most famous. Biryani, Paya and Hamim are also famous while vegetarians should try the Malai Kofta and Tehri. The Bada Imambara has historical and cultural heritage and was commissioned by the Nawab of Awadh in 1784. The large Asfi mosque and the Bhul-Bhulayah (the labyrinth) are found in the structure. Lucknow’s landmark is Chota Imambara or Husseinabad Imambara which was the office of the Husseinabad trust that once owned the city. The State Museum of Lucknow has to be visited; it is situated in a third storied building and is a museum and archive rolled one. It has different galleries dedicated to bronzes, natural history, paintings, coins, textiles, history and anthropological specimens and more. Rumi Darwaza is an impressive gateway of Lucknow, India and the world. The Residency is a group of buildings built in 1800 by Nawab Saadat Ali Khan, the then Nawab of Oudh. It was built to serve as the residence of the then British Resident General.