Lucknow

Population                      : 1,800,000
Main Languages             : Hindi, English.
Telephone area code       : 0522

The capital city of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow first rose to prominence as the capital city of the Nawabs of Awadh. These rulers ruled a region of north central India for about a century after the decline of Mughal empire and most interesting monuments in Lucknow date from the period. The capital was shifted from Faizabad to Lucknow by Asaf-ud-Daula. Before that Sardar Jang lived in and ruled from Delhi. After that all the nawabs were hopeless in running the state of affairs. However, the nawabs were great patrons of the art, especially dance and music, and Lucknow’s reputation as a city of culture and gracious living stems for this time.

Places of Interest
Bara Imambara
It was built in 1784 by Asaf-ud-Daula as famine relief project.The central hall is 50m long and 15m hight, is one of the largest vaulted galleries in the world.  Besides the imambara is the huge and finely designed Rumi Darwaza also built by Asaf-ud-Daula.

Hussainabad Imambara
It is also known as the Chhota or small Imambara and was built by Muhammad Ali Shah in 1837 to serve as his own mausoleum. The main building of the Imambara is topped with numerous domes and minarets, while inside are the tombs of Ali Shah and his mother. The throne of the Nawah is also exhibited here.

Residency
It was built in 1800 for the British resident. During the 1857 mutiny the British inhabitants took refuge with Sir Henry Lawrence at the Residency. It has been maintained exactly as it was at the time of mutiny, the shattered walls scarred by cannon shot.  It has a model room in the main building and downstairs are the cellars where many woman and children lived throughout the siege. The cemetery which is nearby the ruined church has graves of 2000 men, women & children and also of Sir Henry Lawrence.

Other attractions include the Shah Najaf Imambara, which is the tomb of Ghazi-ud-din Haiden Khan who died in 1827; the Martinere School, which was built by Frenchman Major General Claude Martin; Kaiserbagh Palace, built by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah in 1850, The state museum and the Nandan Mahal; which was built in 1600 and is the tomb of the first governor of Avadh appointed by Akbar.

HOW TO REACH
By Air    
Daily flight from Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Patna & Varanasi.

By Train   
Delhi-Lucknow, Shatabdi express (6.5 hrs)  and trains from Agra & Varanasi.