Lucknow India Travel Guide

Lucknow History and Geography

Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, the largest state in India. It is a city of rich culture, exquisite traditions and polite manners. Lucknow has a very rich history. The early sultans who come to India tried to annex this beautiful and prosperous city, and many major wars were fought over Lucknow. Its prosperity was critical in the year 1338 when a severe famine hit in Delhi. It was Alakhnau, as it was known then, that supplied large quantities of food grains to Delhi to alleviate the situation. The prosperity of city made it an alluring target for jealous kings. In 1394 the Shaqi dynasty conquered all the territory between Jaunpur and Kanauj. It was during this time that Lucknow gained its importance as an Indian city. It changed hands in 1526, after Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodhi and became the ruler of northern India. Babur later gave control of Lucknow to his son Humayun. Lucknow flourished under Humayun’s reign. The city gained further importance under the control of the famous Mughal emperor Akbar, and then under the reign of his son, Jahangir. In 1757, the East India Company came into conflict with the then ruler of Lucknow, Shuja-Ud-Daula, which led to the disastrous Battle of Buxar where the English forces destroyed the ruler’s armies. The last king of Lucknow was Wajid Ali Shah, whose fame as lover of poetry, art, drama and music has survived till this day. After another war in 1858, the British forces took over Lucknow. Lucknow became a prime recruiting ground for the British army and a center administration.

Lucknow Today

Lucknow is famous for a number of diverse things – it’s known for its delicate embroidery work on clothes known as Chikan; for its famous Dussehri mangoes that are exported all over the world; and for its thriving perfume industry. Lucknow is also known for its beautiful Mughal architecture seen in many structures around the city. Above all, though, Lucknow is famous for its ambience and hospitality, where tourists are treated like kings.

Lucknow Attractions and Things-To-Do

Kaiserbagh is one of the prime tourist attractions of Lucknow. It was built by the last ruler of Lucknow, Wajid Ali Shah, and is a perfect example of magnificent Mughal architecture. The complex is full of beautiful buildings, from royal mansions, to plush gardens, to extravagant living quarters. Close to the clock tower of Lucknow, is the Picture Gallery. It has a unique collection of the contemporary oil paintings from the era of the Nawabs. The Chota Imambara, or the Kremlin of India as a Russia prince once called it, is a parting gift from a father to his deceased daughter. This structure has exquisite chandeliers made of Belgium glass. Its ornate structure and brass domes make it a very popular tourist attraction in the city. In Lucknow you can also see a unique piece of architecture known as the baoli, which is a step-well with rooms that were well-furnished during the Mughal times. There is a small opening from top to bottom for cool air circulation. You can also head to the Prince of Wales Zoological garden or The Zoo as it’s popularly known. It has a large variety of animals, a museum, and a huge aquarium. Besides the items of architectural interest, gardens, theme parks, and bridge clubs, Lucknow also has two very big and beautiful golf courses. One of the courses is also an environmental park with many species of birds and animals.During the month of October, the festival of Deva Mela is held in Lucknow, which attracts tourist from all over the world.

Lucknow Excursions

On the outskirts of Lucknow lies the very famous crocodile sanctuary, Kukraila. It is a good picnic spot, as long as you stay away from the crocodiles, with a lot to explore. About two-hundred-and-forty kilometers from Lucknow is the Dudhwa National Park. It has thick Sal forests and is famous for its tiger reserves, which include the Bengal tiger. Another popular excursion is to the enchanting city of Kanpur, which is about eighty kilometers away.

Lucknow Shopping

Lucknow shopping is a paradise for bargain lovers, literally. It doesn’t have many malls or fancy showrooms, but has many bazaars where you can get pretty good deals if you’re willing to bargain. The Chowk and Aminabad are the famous bazaars in the city. You get antiques at fairly lower prices, but bargaining is a must. One of the posh streets and markets of Lucknow is the Heritage Hazratganj, full of high-end hotels and shops. You can get the latest fashions and handicrafts on this glittering street.

Lucknow Cuisine

Along with the architecture in the city, the Mughal also left recipes for delicious kebabs and Dum Pukht specialties. Lucknow, being a capital, has many quality restaurants serving different cuisines. But, it is criminal to leave Lucknow without having the city’s specialty – Dum Biryani. After your dinner, you can try a Lucknow paan, which is a folded beetle leaf stuffed with cardamom, clove and peppermint.

Lucknow Nightlife

Lucknow is not known for its pub culture, but the capital has a few nightlife spots worth mentioning.

Lucknow Climate

Lucknow is well connected by all modes of transportation. The best time to visit this city is after October.