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 Lucknow
is a city caught in a time warp. It exists in an in-between
land of the past and the present looking back constantly to
the memories of a colonial-Nawabi
past. There is at the same time a sense of pride at
the thought of being after Delhi, the most important center
of power in independent India. Politics has indeed been Lucknow's
forte but culture has been its historical identification.
Naming Lucknow
The name can be traced to the epic Ramayana. After 14 years
of exile when Lord Ramchandra returned to Ayodhya, he gifted
this place to his younger brother Lakshman. Lakshman is believed
to have stayed in Lakshman Teela, a high ground near the banks
of the river Gomti. Later the region was named after him; 'Lucknow'
is derived from the name Lakshman. There are other stories that
do the rounds: Lucknow was named after a very influential person
called 'Lakhan Ahir' who built the fort 'Qila Lakhan'. The name
'Qila Lakhan' later became Lucknow. Some other source state that
one Lakhu Khan who was earlier a non-Muslim by name Laxman Singh
has lent his name to Lucknow.
Nawabi Legacy
Composed of the Indo-Persian legacy, Lucknow boasts of the
uniquely vibrant Indian culture. The welding of various cultural
strains nurtured by centuries of Mughal and later Delhi
Sultanate rule, to the folk traditions of the Indo-Gangetic
plains has produced a complex, yet rich synthesis. The Urdu
language acquired its baffling phonetic nuances and suave
perfection here. It was during Nawab Wajed Ali Shah's court that
the most advanced of all classical Indian dance forms, the
Kathak, took form. The popular Parsi theatre as we know today
curiously originated from the Urdu theatre of this city. It
might come as a surprise to know that the Tabla and the sitar
were first heard on the streets of Lucknow.
Tourist Attractions:
Bara
Imambara
 The
Bara Imambara was built in the year 1784 by the fourth Nawab
of Awadh known as Asaf-ud-Daula. It was built as a part of
a relief project for a major famine that took place in the
year 1784. This also happens to be the place where the shooting
of Umrao Jaan took place.
British Residency
The British Residency of Lucknow is a
famous historical landmark of this place. It is now in ruins and
has been declared a protected monument by the Archaeological
Survey of India.
Chattar Manzil
One of the imposing structures built by the
Nawabs of Lucknow, Chattar Manzil is a very famous tourist
attraction of Lucknow. The most unique thing about the Chattar
Manzil of Lucknow is the strikingly different architecture. Jama Masjid
In the year 1423, Sultan Ahmed Shah
constructed the Jama Masjid. It is built entirely with yellow
sandstone and is known for its intricate style of design and
architecture.
Rumi Darwaza
The Rumi Darwaza is one of the most
impressive architectural structures in India. It was constructed
in the year 1784 by Nawab Asaf-ud-daula. The Rumi Darwaza is an
example of the fine architectural style of Awadh. Clock Tower
 Between
the Bara and Chhota Imambara is the Clock Tower of Lucknow.
This huge tower was constructed by Nawab Nasir-ud-Din Haider
in the year 1880. The Clock Tower in Lucknow reaches up to
a staggering height of 221 feet and has the distinction of
being the tallest Clock Tower in India. It also has the biggest
fitted clock that cost the government around Rs. 1.75 lakhs
at that time.
Lucknow Cuisine
The aromatic lanes of Lucknow is a
paradise of any lover of The cuisine of Lucknow has its own
distinct individuality and identity. The traditional food of
Lucknow was highly patronized by the Mughals thus giving it a
very royal touch. The chefs and cooks were trained to give that
distinct royal touch and regal look to anything they cooked.
The most famous dishes of Lucknow are
kormas, kaliya, nahari-kulchas, zarda, sheermal, roomali rotis
and warqi parathas. It is not just the ingredients that are
special but also the way they are made by expert hands and the
way they are presented. Just looking at an elaborate layout of
Lucknow cuisine will make your mouth water. The most famous of
all dishes are the Kebabs or the meatballs that come in
different varieties. Some of the most famous (and delicious!)
varieties of Kebabs are Kakori Kebabs, Shami Kebabs, Boti
Kebabs, Patili-ke-Kababs, Ghutwa Kebabs and Seekh Kebabs.
The city of Lucknow has a magical charm
enveloping it. Be it its delicious cuisine or its heart melting
culture, the city leaves an everlasting impression on its
visitors. It is one of the few places where one can still find
people saying 'aap', 'janab', 'pehle aap'. Even though flats
have replaces Nawabi mansions, the city is still as charismatic
as before. So, visit Lucknow and lose yourself in the magic and
allure of the city.
How To Get There
By Air: Indian Airlines connects
Lucknow with Delhi, Patna, Calcutta and Mumbai.
By Rail: Lucknow is an important
junction on the Northern and North Eastern Railways of India.
Regular trains run from all major stations to Lucknow.
By Road: Lucknow is well connected
with some major cities like Agra (363 km), Allahabad (225 km),
Calcutta (985 km), Delhi (497 km), Kanpur (79 km) and Varanasi
(305 km).
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