The legacy of the imperial splendor of Lucknow has always fascinated people all over the world. The ambience of Awadh has commonly been associated with the leisurely habits, etiquette, architecture, food and refinement, the residues of Nawabi culture. Over the years the city has preserved this spirit of the bygone days. Lucknow took almost two centuries to grow to the size of a metropolis. The first hundred years of success belonged to the Nawab Wazirs which, in different degrees contributed to its growth and made it, what has been metaphorically called, the "Shiraz of Awadh" and the "Constantinople of India". The nawabs were responsible for imparting a distinct image to the city, which indeed is unique.They worked meticulously to dress Lucknow with religious and secular edifices of uncomparable excellence.
The surviving monuments of the city mark the evolution of an interesting style in architecture. In the reign of Nawab Asaf ud Daula, the Mughal stylistic legacy was re-interpreted in stone and stucco instead of marble and stone. Soon the builders began to experiment with European styles and attempts were made to fuse the occidental with the oriental. Consequently, the style that emerged could rival the best in the world. Modern city of Lucknow, spread evenly on both sides of the Gomti, offers a tourist plenty of places of historical interest. Aminabad, with its twisted lanes, is the main shopping centre, though Hazratganj, with its theatres, coffee houses, restaurants, hotels and bars has attracted tourists since long.
Places of Interest for Sightseeing :
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Asafi Masjid |
Rumi Darwaza |
Baradari |
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Residency |
Shahnajaf Imambara |
La Martiniere College |
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Clock Tower |
Chhatar Manzil |
Bada Imambara |
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Chhota Imambara |
State Museum / Zoo |
Dilkusha |
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