|
Also see:
How To Reach | Where
To Stay | What
& Where To Eat | Around
Lucknow
Places of
Tourist Interest
|
|
Asafi Imambara |
In the year 1773 the to-be Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula decided to shift
his capital from Faizabad to Lucknow on a whim. He didn't get
along with his mother and so decided to move out. At the time
a famine had broken out in and around the city of Lucknow because
of a severe drought. It is said that the people of Lucknow were
very friendly but also very proud and would not acceptalms.So
the Nawab began the construction of an Imambara which would provideemployment
to the masses and they could work for a living.Thus he became
known as
a very generous king and was accepted as the ruler by the masses
that had leanings towards the royal family at Faizabad. This magnificent
monument recalls the glorious past of the Nawabs and stands out
for its austerity in style, proportion and symmetry and daring
techniques in architecture. This Imambara houses the tombs of
Nawab Asaf-Ud-Daula and his architect. The remarkable feature of
this building is the large vaulted hall which has withstood weather
and time without the support of pillars or beams for the past
200 odd years. Surrounding the hall is a labyrinth of about four
hundred corridors which is said to act as a natural air conditioner
allowing the breeze to enter the building and cool the walls,
at the same time keeping the sun light from coming in direct contact
with the walls of the interior hall.The Tazias are kept in the
Imambaras all year and are taken out on the tenth day of
Muharram.
Hundreds of thousands of people collect during the annual observance
of Muharram which marks the death of Husain.
The Asafi (Bara) Imambara is a complex consisting
of the hall, a Mosque, gardens and a water well (Baoli). |
| |
| Rumi
Darwaza |
|  The
60 ft high Rumi Darwaza was constructed during the reign of Asaf-ud-Daula
when he was constructing the Bara Imambara. It has often been compared
to the ancient Portal of Constantinople and is said to be very similar
in design to it. The uppermost part consists of an eight faceted
Chhatri, approachable by a staircase.
|
| |
Husainabad
Imambara |
 Also
known as the Chota Imambara, it stands to the west of the Bara
Imambara.
Built by Nawab Mohd. Ali Shah around 1837-1840, it is more ornate
in design with exquisite chandeliers, gilt-edged mirrors, silver
Mimbar and colourful stucco work which adorns the interiors. A golden
dome and fine calligraphy on the exteriors of the building makes
it a truly exceptional monument of Mughal architecture. The entire
complex consists of the main hall, the tombs of the Nawabs daughter
which is built in the shape of the Taj Mahal and a mosque. In the
centre of the complex is a lotus pond with colourful fish. The main
hall houses the tombs of the Nawab's mother. The Nawab is said to
have been very fond of his mother and was grief stricken on her
demise. He had expressed his wish to be buried beside her on his
death. Venetian, English, Chinese and Japanese chandeliers, Belgian
mirrors, works of calligraphy, and miniature paintings are some
of the interesting artifacts one gets to see inside the Husainabad
Imambara. The original silver Mimbar is kept here on which the Maulana
sits and give his sermon to the people. |
| |
Picture
Gallery |
 Built
by Nawab Mohd. Ali Shah, it is also known as the "Baradari" -
literally meaning hall having 12 doorways. It is now used as the
office of the Husainabad Trust and the main hall is a picture
gallery housing life-size portraits of ten Nawab of Avadh.
|
|
| Clock
Tower |
 Constructed
in 1887, the Husainabad Clock Tower is one of the finest examples
of British architecture in India. The 221 ft structure was built
to mark the arrival of Sir George Cooper, 1st Governor of the United
Provinces of Avadh and Agra. It was built at a cost of 1.75 lakhs.
(Rs. 1,75,000/-) |
| |
Shahnajaf
Imambara |
|
The Shahnajaf Imambara is said to be the replica
of the tomb of Hazrat Ali at Najaf in Iraq. It houses the replica
of the Silver Rauza of Nazaf. It was built by Nawab Ghazi ud Din
Haider the first King of Avadh and also houses his tomb along with
his three wives. Being in the shape of a fortress it acted as a
shelter for the Indian forces during the great Mutiny of 1857.
|
| |
| Residency |
 Though
the air is silent but travelling down the lanes of memories, one
can still hear the resounding war cries from all directions, the
canon 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 had set for
the British Empire, there was an all out siege of the Residency,
that continued for nearly five months, taking the life of 2197 defenders
including British and Indian. What was left of this majestic building
built by Nawab Asif-ud-Daula in the year 1775, were the broken walls
with marks of bullets and cannon balls. The museum at the Residency
houses an impressive collection of firearms, lithographs and paintings.
One can well spend hours in the complex strolling among the roofless
walls and reading the epitaphs on the graves in the cemetery. For more details on the Indian Mutiny of 1857 see
Travelogue > Mutiny - 1857
|
| |
| La
Martiniere |
 Standing
on the banks of the river Gomti, this magnificent structure was
constructed in 1794 by a French soldier - Claude Martin. The architecture
of this building is a complete mixture of Indo-European schools.
Italian, French, English and Gothic with a touch of Mughlai is how
you can best describe this building. It held a place of pride in the heart of Claude
Martin because he is said to have constructed it in memory of his
love - Constance and named it Constantia. Before dying he expressed
his last wish which was that his mortal remains should be laid to
rest in the basement of this building. And so his wish was fulfilled.
Claude Martin died on the 13th of September 1800.
Claude had left a will which stated that Constantia
along with two other buildings of his were to be given to the foundation
of schools. La Martiniere - Calcutta, La Martiniere - Lyons and
La Martiniere - Lucknow. The school at Lucknow was founded in 1840,
forty years after the death of Claude Martin. Today Constantia stands
tall as one of the most respected and reputed educational institutions
of India.
|
| |
Dilkusha
|
|  "The
ruins of lofty buildings built in 'Gothic Style' casting their long
shadows on the natural carpet of lush green grass and beds of flowers,
provide an ideal setting for picnics" (Yogesh Praveen). Dilkusha
built by Sadat Ali Khan is a romantic setting for the lovers of
the city.
This palace was built by a European architect for
the Nawab - Sadat Ali Khan. The Nawab only saw this building on
its completion and the first words that came to his lips were
"Dil
Khush Hua" meaning "My Heart is Pleased", thus it was aptly named
"Dilkusha". The palace and gardens were used as a country house
and hunting lodge by the Nawab and his begums. Light game consisting
of Deer and Bear were kept in the surrounding woods for the Begums
to indulge in some hunting themselves. Part of the palace was also
used as a Maternity Home for the wives of the Nawab.
Nawab Wajid Ali Shah began training troops here
for his own personal army. The British took umbrage and began looking
for excuses and started pointing out every little foul-up and mistake
committed by the Nawab. Finally the British moved in to Lucknow
and took over the administration. The Nawab was dethroned and sent
into exile to Calcutta.
During the 1857 Mutiny the Dilkusha Palace was
taken and lost and retaken several times. Amidst the battle it was
completely destroyed.
|
| |
| Jama
Masjid |
Construction
of the Jama Masjid was started by Nawab Mohd Ali Shah but could
not be completed during his lifetime. It was completed by his Begum,
Malika Jahan. It is entirely free from the Pseudo-Italian art which
was in vogue during that time. It reflects a typical Mughal style
of architecture.
|
| |
Chattar
Manzil |
 The
"Umbrella Palace" stands near the present Hanuman Setu. It derives
its name from the gilt dome with a covering umbrella, which gives
a special magnificence to the complex. The Chattar Manzil was constructed
by Nawab Sadat Ali Khan (1798-1814). Today it houses the Central
Drug Research Institute (CDRI).
|
| |
Qaiserbagh
|
 The
Qaiserbagh palace was built by the last Nawab of Avadh - Wajid Ali
Shah. Construction was started in 1848 and it was completed in 1850.
In it's hey day it was a walled palace complex with entrance gates.
It housed the quarters of the ladies of the Nawabs Harem and also
catered to banquettes and games organised to entertain the Nawab
and his populace. The white Baradari stands in the middle of the
complex where the dancers entertained the elite of the city. The
quadrangle was often used to hold cock fights, elephant fights,
bull fights, etc.
This palace played a major role during the mutiny
of 1857. The palace was very well protected and could not easily
be penetrated so the sepoys took refuge in the precincts of the
Qaiserbagh which proved to be a vantage point as it overlooked the
main entrance and the roads leading to the Residency. After the
mutiny came to an end the Qaiserbagh was all but completely demolished.
The British built roads and thoroughfares through the main palace
grounds and opened it up to the public.
|
| |
Sikanderbagh
|
 Built
by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah for one of his many Begums, Sikander Mahal.
It now houses the Botanical research Institute. This palace is about
120 sq. yards in area and used to house a small summer house for
the begum which was surrounded by a ten foot wall. All that remain
today is part of the wall and the gate. Like most Avadhi gates it
has the two fish, which are a symbol of the Nawabi rule. The gate
also depicts a bit of Mongolian-Chinese architecture.
This palace suffered immense damage during the
mutiny of 1857. The sepoy forces fighting off the Scottish regiment
headed by Col. Colin Campbell took shelter in this palace whilst
retreating. The palace had no other exit except for the main entrance
and the sepoy forces were massacred. An unknown lady hiding in a
tree is said to have gunned down several British soldiers before
being shot out of the tree herself. A statue stands at the Sikander
bagh crossroad in her honour.
|
| |
Kukrail
|
 The
Gharial or crocodile (Gavialis Gangeticus) is among 600 species
of animals and birds facing extinction. In 1976 the Uttar Pradesh
Forest Department had started a programme to save the Gharial from
becoming history, this was part of on-going Indian efforts. Under
this programme wild laid eggs of Crocodiles and Aligators were collected
for successful hatching and rearing at "Kukrail Rehabilitation
Centre".
As a result of this project nearly 1000 Gharials reared in captivity
have been released in the river Chambal. The eggs are laid during
late March and early April. They lay eggs in holes dug in the earth
measuring about 36.5 to 54.5cm. They are found in various stages
of growth here.
Kukrail is surrounded by forest and is thus more
or less a pollution free zone of Lucknow. Tourism experts have put
Kukrail in the "Green Belt" which makes it a nature lover's paradise.
|
| |
| Shopping
at Lucknow |
 Chowk
- the city's oldest shopping centre is famous for its Chikan embroidery,
Ittar (perfume) and not to mention the Cuisine consisting of
Kababs, Sheermals, Nehari-Kulcha and Biryani. Something that will leave
your taste -buds tingling for days on end.
Aminabad unfolds as you walk through lanes and
by-lanes. Extremely colourful shops grab your attention as you get
engrossed in the daily life-style of the city and suddenly the thronging
crowds don't seem to matter that much.
Hazratganj, the center of the city holds a place
of pride in every Lucknowites heart. This modern market place set
up during the rule of Nawab Amjad Ali Shah is also said to be named
after him. The Nawab was often referred to as Hazrat Ali and so
the name Hazrat Ganj. It is a meeting joint for the youngsters of
the city and gives you a good glimpse of the modern life-style of
Lucknow. It houses some of the finest shops and emporia. The tomb
of Amjad Ali Shah is also in the middle of this market. It is commonly
referred to as the Maqbara colony. |
| |
