Our Destination - Lucknow
Lucknow – the hallmark of cultural extravaganza is known all over the world for its many splendours. A city that has a magical charm, a charm that is forever and a charm that’s apart. Be it the cultural charm or the monumental one, all are well conserved here, to make Lucknow, ‘The city of many splendours’. The history of this city dates back to about 7300 B.C. and the living evidence goes beyond 460. This is a city that gives you a glimpse of diverse rulings. It gained popularity in 1775 when Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula shifted the capital of Awadh from Faizabad (now Ayodhya) to Lucknow and with it took birth, a typical Luckhnawi culture of sophistication, elegance, mannerism and its world famous art of speech. The Nawabi era from 1775 to 1857 marks the constructional period too. The buildings of astonishment from the Asfi Imambara to the Kaiserbagh remind us the will of the Nawabs to declare Lucknow a tourist town.
Taking into consideration the food of love – music, Lucknow gained prominence in a typical classical singing with a style of its own. Begum Akhtar known as the ‘Queen of Luckhnawi Thumri and Ghazals’, told the world the sweetness and combinations that Luckhnawi singing has. Amir Hasan in excitement about Lucknow, writes, “No other city can perhaps claim to have won a larger measure of love and loyalty from it’s citizens than Lucknow”. Hazrat Narikh goes on to say “Lucknow Hum Pe Fida, Hum Fida-e-Lucknow, Kya hai Taqat-e-A asman ki Jo Humse Chhurdaye Lucknow I “He means, Lucknow is in love with him and he is in love with Lucknow, no force can separate him from Lucknow.
La Martiniere....
A living example of the grandeur and generosity of Maj. Gen. Claude Martin, the dream palace stands majestically in the vast ground by the side of river Gomti. The invaluable legacy of Martin is now dedicated to a noble cause of education. La Martiniere is amongst the most famous educational institutions in the world. Students eagerly seek admission for good education and of course for the pride of being a Martinian. The firearms belonging to Martin and the students who defended the Residency in 1857 are kept at La Martiniere. Martin, in his will expressed the desire of being buried in the building and his last wish was duly honoured, as one can see the marble grave of Martin at La Martiniere. La Martiniere also holds the distinction of being the only school with Battle Honours, as fifty students of La Martiniere participated in the defence of the Residency during the mutiny of 1857.
Dilkusha....
The ruins of lofty building, built in Gothic style, casting its long shadow on the natural carpet of lush green grass and beds of flowers, provides an ideal setting for picnicking. Dilkusha built by Sadat Ali Khan is a romantic set for romance of past. A hunting house for the royals, it also served the purpose of relaxation from the routine life for the royals. After Sadat Ali Khan, Nasir-ud-din Haider made further addition to the beauty of Dilkusha. He was well known for his inclination towards anglicized life-style. His French friend Mr. Matz was given a special seat of honour in the royal court. Matz gave a new life to Dilkusha by way of his oil paintings. During the mutiny of 1857, Dilkusha too was not spared and now only the imagination of the building remains amidst the wide spread gardens and ruins.
The Residency....
Though the air is silent but while travelling down the lanes of memories, one can still hear the resounding war cries from all directions, the cannon balls shelling the walls and the snipers firing with perfect aim at the high flying Union Jack. The piece-de-resistance, this is the Lucknow Residency – ready for the siege. The sun seemed setting for the British Empire and there was an all-out siege of the Residency, that continued for nearly five months and what was left of the Residency, were the crumbling walls bearing marks of cannon balls and bullets. The Museum at the Residency has an impressive collection of lithographs, pictures, paintings and a clay model of the campus. Today it seems that these walls have preserved themselves and stand in deep silence to honour the martyrdom of the defenders and the attackers of Residency for the days to come.
Asfi Imambara....
A symbol of generosity and brotherhood, the Asfi Imambara stands majestically to hail the nobility of its builder, Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula, who ordered its construction when Awadh was in the grip of a severe famine in 1775. The architect of this marvel deserves the title, ‘Wonder of Age’. Though it appears to be a single storied building but stands out to be a four storied one. Imambara’s central hall has its own uniqueness, as it is devoid of any conventional pillar support. The other two flanking halls are circular in shape. The dark and narrow galleries welcome us to witness the miracle of science. Unlike the other speechless walls, walls of Bhul-Bhulaiya, speak and invite you to admire the past glory of Awadh. Adding to its beauty is the grand Asfi Mosque that stands on the right of the Imambara and just opposite this is the Shahi Baoli (Royal Tank), where a legend promises a key to the treasure that Wajid Ali Shah threw here before leaving for Calcutta.
Rumi Darwaza....
Husainabad Imambara....
With exquisite chandeliers, a silver ‘mimbar’ (seat of the priest), gold framed mirrors, astonishing pieces of decor, the calligraphy on the walls and a golden dome on the top, the Hussainabad Imambara stands as a testimony to the epicureanism of the builder, King Mohd. Ali Shah. There are two graves where Mohd. Ali Shah and his mother rest in peace, admiring their prime possession, restored by the present generation. Once it was termed as the ‘Babylon’ and ‘Kremlin’ of India. As the interior, the exterior too is no less in beauty and style. The beautifully laid garden and a canal prepare the tourist to witness the beauty inside. Who says that Taj Mahal is only in Agra? The two replicas of Taj, coated with white lime, give a glimpse of cultural exchange through distances. Definitely, this is a place of superlatives, where everything is breathtakingly beautiful, impressive and fascinating. It is packed with history and culture that goes back to the year 1837.
Husainabad Clock Tower....
Picture Gallery....
People die but memories remain. Any one seeing pictures of the royal family could well guess the ‘Lucknow – that was’. Facing the Husainabad tank is Baradari built by King Mohd. Ali Shah in 1840, now Picture Gallery. It has a wide collection of life size portraits of Nawabs of Oudh, so true and so lively as if each would speak.
Saadat Ali & Begum Tombs....
Shopping In Lucknow....
Shopping here is a delightful experience, as the principal shopping centers have their individuality along with quality stuff. The main shopping areas of Lucknow are Chowk, Aminabad and of course Hazratganj which deserves a special mention.
Chowk, the city’s oldest market, is famous for its Chikan Embroidery showrooms. The ‘lttar’ or perfume and the savoury ‘kababs’ that add to the taste of epicurean delights that Lucknow offers.
The ‘shopping mall culture’ had stepped into Lucknow long back by way of huge shopping malls, that house some of the finest brands such as, Marks & Spencer, Lifestyle, Shoppers Stop, Fabindia, Globus, Anokhi, Satya Paul, Westside, Levis, Starbucks, Dominos, McDonalds, KFC et al. Check out the Phoenix Mall, Lulu, Fun Republic, West End, Riverside, Singapore, and One Awadh Center Malls. There are a lot more that are coming up very soon to change the way Lucknow shops. The modem times are known to coexist with the bygone era in Lucknow and the locals love to experience both and enjoy the great shopping experiences that this city has to offer.