Lucknow

Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh. A city which saw great rulers and dynasties come and go, and in the process leave indelible impressions. Excavations at Lucknow have revealed a civilization of the pre-Christian era. Walking down the numerous lanes and by-lanes, one grows conscious of the changing fortunes that the city suffered through the centuries.
Lying on the banks of the river Gomti, this beautiful city was the capital of the Wazirs and Nawabs of Avadh (Oudh) two centuries ago. It was once the pivot of a unique culture, art and etiquette — an ethos so unique that the term "Lucknavi" culture still continues to be a by-word for gracious living.

Imambara

The dynasty of Avadh was founded by a Persian named Saadat Khan in 1739 and the laudable work was carried on by his successors till 1814 after which it began to deteriorate. During the reign of Asaf-ud-Daula (1775-1797), Lucknow was at its zenith. It was practically the "Paris of India", the country’s centre of art and culture. The year 1857 saw a mutinous Lucknow. The bullet-pierced walls of the Residency speak of the six tumultuous months of the 1857 uprising. The great Imambara, with the Central Hall measuring 162 feet by 53 feet, is one of the largest vaulted galleries in the world.

ACCESS

Lucknow is excellently connected by air and rail with the major cities of India. It also has road connections with all the important cities.

PLACES OF INTEREST

The great Imambara, the Rumi Darwaza, the Hussainabad Imamba- ra, the Picture Gallery, the Residency, the Jami Masjid, the Lakshm- an Tila and the Shah Najaf Imambara.

SHOPPING

Lucknow is famous for chikanwork and embroidery on fabrics and zari work on sarees. The main shops are Gangotri, U. P. Handicrafts, Hazratganj; UPICA Hazratganj; Khadi Gram Udyog Bhawan, Hazratganj; Black

Partridge, Haryana Emporium; Maharashtra Handlooms; Co-optex, Tamil Nadu Handlooms; Kashmir Government Arts Emporium; Gurjari, Gujarat Emporium. All emporia are in Hazratganj.

ACCOMMODATION

Taj Residency (5-star Deluxe), Vipin Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow-226 010. Phone: 393939. Fax: 392282.

Clarks Avadh (5-star), 8, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow-226 001. Phones: 216500-09. Fax: 216507.

Arif Castles (3-star), 4 Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow-226 001. Phones: 211313-17. Fax: 0522-211360.

Carlton (3-star), Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow 226 001. Phones: 224021-4, 222443, 222413. Fax: 0522-229793.

Gomti, 6, Tej Bahadur Sapru Marg, Phones: 212291, 220624