Life Line Of Lucknow

The Rise And Rise Of Lucknow

In 1528 the Mughal Sultanate conquered and formally incorporated Awadh as one of its constituent provinces. With the decline of Mughal power the nawab-vazirs of awadh began to assert their independence. After the East India Company appropriated half of Awadh as ‘indemnity’, the then nawab, Asaf’ud Daulah, moved his capital to Lucknow in 1775. A move that resulted in the growth of the city and its distinctive culture known as ‘Lakhnavi tehzeeb’.


Since then, Nawabi Lucknow has undergone enormous changes. The refinement of ‘pehle aap’ has all but disappeared. Originally built to support a hundred thousand people, amid palaces, gardens and orchards, the city now staggers under the burden of fifty times that number. Its unchecked growth and collapsed civic amenities are slowly draining the life and beauty of this once vibrant city.

The rich and flamboyant culture has faded amidst the decay that has eaten into the fabric of the city, and the corruption and treachery that permeate the government. In separate pieces William Dalrymple and Barry Bearak trace the decline of Lucknow—the city, its architecture, people, politics, governance—and the sad end of the havelis and their once grandiose occupants. The elegiac Marsia tradition of the Shias strives to be heard over angry chants of ‘Hulla Bol’ of political rallies in Mrinal Pande’s account of her visit to the city. And, in his hyperbolic saga of seven generations of the fictional Anglo-Indian Trotter family, I. Allen Sealy meanders through two hundred years of Lucknow’s chequered history.

However, despite the apparent disintegration, Lucknow’s ineffable spirit can still be found—in the tantalizing flavours of Lakhnavi cuisine, the delicate artistry of Chikankari; the legendary courtesans and the defiant voice of the rekhti; the melodious notes of the ghazal and thumri . . .

Engaging and thoughtful, Shaam-e-Awadh: Writings on Lucknow celebrates the unique character of this city of carnivals and calamities.

Shaan-E-Awadh

• Lucknow -Ethical and Homely Place

  It is the most ethical and homely place to be !!! The greatest thing bout it is that even if a person abuses u he will say " aap bewakoof hai!!!".... Hence lucknow is a place of fun and culture at the same time.Lucknow has always had strong cultural links from the time of the Nawabs. The famous courtesans of Lucknow were as noted for their shayri (poetry). In fact the great tradition of music and dance reverberates in the winding lanes of the old city even today. While old is always gold in this city that hangs to its roots with a famous fanticism that borders on obsession, the Lakhnavi retains his yen order that boasts of hoary legacies.

• Upcoming METRO

  Lucknow - The upcoming METRO is a hallmark of cultural extravaganza, known all over the world for its many splendours. A city that has a magical charm, a charm that's forever and a charm that's apart. Be it the cultural charm or the monumental one, all are well conserved here to make Lucknow " The city of many splendours".

• Tehzib

  Walking through the lanes and by-lanes of Chowk and Aminabad one finds Lucknow of yore. The 'tehzib' or mannerism is still prominent and a topic of great appreciation. This is a city that still speaks the language of "aap-janab" and the dictum of "pehle aap" is still a part of everyday life for a true Lakhnawi. - and so natural it is - Aadab or salutation which has its own sophistication and style. Dress forms though have changed noticeably in the span of a century, yet the beauty and charisma of Chikan - the intricate and delicate hand embroidery, still rules the wardrobe. Lucknow is in fact among a few cities that duly understands the grace of the 'dupattas' or the covering cloth.

• The Cuisine

  Nowhere in Asia would you find a city so synonymous to its culinary. The food culture of Lucknow has no parallels at all. The most favored and served delicacy of Lucknow are Kabobs. There is a range of it available in the old Lucknow area but the most favored destination is 'Tunda Kabob'. 'Kulcha-Nihari' is another popular dish mostly taken as breakfast. Other masterpieces include Biryani, Paya and Halim. For the vegetarians, 'Malai Kofta' and 'Tehri' are good options. Today in Lucknow many things may have impurities but preparations like those of Tunde-ke-kabab, Rahim-ke-kulche nihari, Bismillah-ki-biryani, Radhey-ki malai gilori and lassi, Raja-ki-thandai ya Sharma-ki-chaat have held their heads high due to purity and standards maintained. Good eateries in Lucknow are often found in the serpentine lanes of old Lucknow.

• Discover Lucknow

  So many of you would have been born in Lucknow like me, but will agree that each day is distinct. The shades of the monuments differ with each sun and moon. You discover and rediscover Lucknow everyday. No one has known Lucknow to the full and will never. That is why : "Jisey Aap Kehtein Hein Lucknow - Usey Hum Kehtein Hein Duja Jahan" (The place that you call Lucknow - we call the other world

• Local Transport

  Local transport in Lucknow is easily available round the clock and rest assured that you would never have a problem with moving around in Lucknow. There are a variety of options to choose from for moving around here and there. In Lucknow, local transportation is very affordable and the most convenient way to explore this city

• Some Monuments which Are Not Public

  Jama Masjid is not opened for the non-muslims. You will be seeing this monument from outside. For photography please ask your guide he will seek permission on your behalf (as this building is under a muslim trust and their rules keep changing). Chattar Manzil, Governor House (Kothi Hyaat Baksh), Council House are the buildings that you can see only from outside as these buildings have the government offices. Photography is strictly prohibited . Saadat Ali Khan and Mursheedzadi's Tombs where you may take photographs from outside only . Once you enter inside the building you are not allowed to take the photographs. Though these monuments are not open for public.

• "Kan kauwe bazi" or kite flying

  "Kan kauwe bazi" or kite flying was not only a pastime but the means of sending love letters to the beloved, "kal shaam kothe pe aana, hum intezaar kareinge tumhara"-- Tomorrow in the evening come to the terrace, I'll wait for you. Such words were written on the patang or the kite and the kite was flown and dropped on the beloved's terrace. A story goes that once a Chhote Nawab did this with his beloved and instead of the beloved getting the letter her mother found it and the love bug bit her, assuming that the Bade Nawab has done this sweet and naughty thing, she reciprocated in the same manner writing "Intezaar tumhara hi to tha humein, umra bhar rahein takte rahe, der lagee aane mein tumko, shukr hai phir bhi aaye to"-- I was waiting for this all my life, you came late yet now you have come. Thus started the love between the Bade Nawab and the Badi Begum which ended up in their marriage and left the real ones to repent

• Monuments

  The city offers a range of monuments for the visitors to see and appreciate. The most important among these are Imambara. There are lots of Imambara in Lucknow but the most famous ones are Chota Imambara, Bada Imambara and Shah Najaf Imambara.

Ethereal, enchanting and exotic...Lucknow

Ethereal, enchanting and exotic...Lucknow, conjures up images of a society where the legendary etiquettes (adab and tehzeeb) is still a way of life. Capital of India's most populous state Uttar Pradesh, the erstwhile capital of the Awadhi Nawabs has always been another word for cultural refinement. As Delhi's glories wanned under the tottering Mughal empire, Lucknow attracted the best of talents, which imbued the court and the growing city with distinctive culture which gradually became synonymous with the city. It is the land where Urdu language was refined, here was created the rhythms of 'tabla' and melody of 'sitar', and of Kathak, North India's most refined dance form. The extravagant pastimes of the earlier royalty such as rooster fights and kite flying still evoke passionate involvement among the locals. Nestling on both sides of river Gomti, Lucknow pulsates with an unique Indo-Persian culture, portraying an impeccable blend of the ancient with the modern