Lucknow: The City Of Nawabs

𝘙𝘶𝘮𝘪 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘻

Lucknow the Golden City of the East famous not only for it’s incredible and flavourful cuisine but also the royal heritage and vibrant Chikan Kari. This City of Awadh which is civilized on the bank of river Gomti is a perfect blend of modernization and cultural integrity. From their 𝘵𝘦𝘩𝘻𝘦𝘦𝘣 (etiquettes) to their 𝘻𝘢𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘥𝘢𝘳 food this city knows how to win hearts. Under royal patronage Kathak, Thumri, Khayal, Dadra, Gazals, Qawalies and Sher-o-Shairi reached their zenith point. The Central business district Hazratganj laid by Nawab Nassir ud – Din Haider Shah in 1827 and later renovated by the Britishers after the first war of Independence in 1857 modeled after London’s Queen Street is surrounded by the famous tourist attractions.

𝘐𝘮𝘢𝘮 𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘢

The 𝘐𝘮𝘢𝘮 𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘢 built by Nawab Asaf ud -Daula in order to employ people during the 11 year famine period includes the large Asfi mosque, the Bhulbhulayah (the labyrinth), and Bowli, a step well with running water. The region also incorporates the Clock tower and Rumi Darwaza, Residency, Begum Hazrat Mahal park are an excellent portrayal of the Mughal architecture. The Residency maintained by ASI (Archeological Survey of India), also known as the British Residency and constitutes a cluster of ruined buildings in one enclosure.The Residency is associated with Siege of Lucknow that had happened in the 1857 rebellion, The Sepoy Mutiny or The First War of Independence against the British Empire. It’s ironical though that the Residency was built by Nawab Asaf Ud-Daulah in the 1700s to house the British Resident General, who was a representative in his court. Spread across an area of 33 acre, it was the largest inhabited British colony in the Awadh region and several British officials lived here Begum Hazrat Mahal Park is located in the heart of the city and pays the tribute to Nawab Wajid Ali Shah’s first wife. She stood up against the British East India Company during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.On 15 August 1962, Begum Hazrat Mahal received special recognition at a ceremony in the old Victoria Park where a marble memorial was open by the state Government in her memory, for she played a an Important role during the first freedom movement in 1857. This memorial was embellished with colorful flowers, light bulbs and neon tubes. A marble tablet with four round brass plaques holds up the coat of arms of the Awadh royal family. Lucknow’s Handloom culture of Chikan Kari and Zari work is one to be taken pride of and preserved because of its contribution to our economy via trade. This technique of thread and wire was said to have been brought to Lucknow by Nur Jehan, the wife of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. The origin of Chikankari is initiated by the influence of intricate carving patterns of Mughal architecture during their period. The art form flourished under the patronage of the Mughal rulers and their noble families.