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LUCKNOW
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LUCKNOW
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LUCKNOW
SIGHTSEEING
GENERAL
INFO
Lucknow, capital of India's most
populous state - Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow, is evocative of a lifestyle
long gone by - only its vestiges are still to be found in the city's
mannerisms and habits. The city probably derives its name from the
legend that Rama gave away this part of the country to Lakshmana, his
yonger brother. Lucknow was the abode of the Nawabs of Avadh, and their
regal pastimes and pleasures were legendry. They refined their formal
speech, were fond of song and dance, and nurtured Urdu verse as well as
the Kathak school of court dances. The food from the royal kitchens was
the result of creative experimentation, exquisite and delicate in taste.
Their monuments excelled in the use of arches, pavilions and domes. Many
of the royal residences are now crumbling, but the best known of
Lucknow's architectural representatives are the Imambaras, and the
bhulbhulaiyan. Lucknow also continues to be home to the fine chicken
embroidery executed with fine skill on fabrics, sarees and kurtas.
SIGHTSEEING
 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.
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
maintained 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.
 RUMI DARWAZA
Rumi Darwaza is a massive gateway situated west of the Bara
Imambara and was built by Nawab Asaf-ud-daulah in 1784.
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.
 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.
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