BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN LUCKNOW
We hope that you have enjoyed the culinary tours of Lucknow these past few weeks. Today, we are taking you on a journey of the city’s rich and varied past as we bring you the 7 best places to visit in Lucknow.
Lucknow’s unique cultural tapestry has been woven together by the myriad threads of the different regimes and cultures that this region has witnessed through the ages. As the story goes, the city was originally named Lakshmanpur after its ruler Lakshman, who was given the territory to rule as his own by Rama, the legendary king of Ayodhya.
After its conquest by the Mughal Sultanate, the city experienced a new wave of Persian Culture and came to be known as Oudh or the City of the Nawabs. This is the time when the city developed its rich, decadent cuisine, fine etiquette or tehzeeb and its refined crafts including zardozi and chikankari.
This period also saw the rise of regional dances like Kathak and the construction of beautiful Persian and Mughal structures. This age of the Nawabs was followed by the British Conquest and the rise of the East India Company in India. Colonizers had longed coveted the wealth of Oudh and they eventually ruled it, though not without some trouble.
In fact, Oudh played an important role in the uprising of 1857 during which Begum Hazrat Mahal, the wife of the last Nawab of Oudh, led the resistance against the British and was eventually exiled to Nepal.
So, join as we enjoy a tryst with the city’s cultural past and discover the best places to visit in Lucknow. The city’s welcoming catchphrase comes to mind as we embark on this tour: “Muskuraiye aap Lucknow mein hai”.
1. Bara Imambara, Lucknow
A prime example of Persian Architecture, the Bara Imambara or the Asafi Imambara was built by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula in 1784. The construction of the building was commissioned by the Nawab during a famine as a way to provide employment to his subjects.
The structure is built along the lines of a traditional Mughal Complex and houses a large mosque (Asfi Mosque), a labyrinth (Bhool Bhulaiya) and a large stepwell (Shahi Baoli).
The main structure is nothing short of an architectural marvel with the main hall that boasts the largest arched hall in the world and an extensive labyrinth that consists of 489 identical doors and secret holes for communication in case of an attack.
Once you finally make it to the top, we get a beautiful panoramic view of the old city. We recommend that you get a guide in order to learn some of the fascinating stories about this place. Don’t forget to take a good look at the Rumi Darwaza, an ornate gateway that you will pass on your way here.
Where: Bara Imambara, Machchhi Bhavan, Lucknow.
2. Chota Imambara, Lucknow
Just down the road from the Bara Imambara is a smaller monument known as the Chota Imambara. While this structure may be small in size, it packs beautiful treasures inside. The imambara was built by the third Nawab of Oudh, Muhammad Ali Shah in 1838. Also known as the “Palace of Lights”, the marble courtyard features a long pool with fountains and leads to an imposing structure that houses stunning chandeliers from Europe, a sight not to be missed on your next trip to Lucknow. Is it one of the best places to visit in Lucknow? Yes. Where: Tahseen Ganj, Husainabad, Lucknow.
3. Jama Masjid, Lucknow
Another stellar example of the traditional architecture of Oudh, the Jama Masjid in Lucknow is one of the city’s oldest structures dating back to the 15th century.
Built from yellow sandstone, the holy structure presents an intricate amalgamation of traditional Hindu and Persian architecture. A rare feature of the Jama Masjid is the influence of Hindu and Jain culture in the aesthetics pillars that add to the beauty of the mosque, which makes it one of the best places to visit in Lucknow.
Where: Jama Masjid, Daulatganj, Lucknow.
4. Chattar Manzil, Lucknow
Another place that must be on your itinerary while touring Lucknow is Chattar Manzil or the “Umbrella Palace”. True to its name, the building boasts a large yellow umbrella-like done on top that can be seen from miles away.
Currently serving as a government office, the building combines typical Nawabi features with European style and presents an interesting example of the Eastern and Western confluence.
Definitely one of the best places to visit in Lucknow.
Where: Chattar Manzil, Mahatma Gandhi Marg,Qaiserbagh, Lucknow.
5. British Residency, Lucknow
A landmark that commemorates the British rule of Oudh, the British Residency is another place that deserves its spot on the list of the best places to visit in Lucknow.
The place is replete with gardens, cannoned ruins and even a Gothic cemetery that offers a fascinating glimpse into the revolt of 1857. During the revolt it was here that all the British Residents of Oudh gathered along with the officers to fight Indian Sepoys till the relief in the form of British Troops who subdued the rebellion.
The Residency also houses a Memorial Museum which contains stunning artefacts and pictures depicting British raj in India.
Where: British Residency, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Deep Manak Nagar, Qaiserbagh, Lucknow.
6. Constantia House, Lucknow
You may wonder: Who brought French architecture to a city already dominated by Persian and British Buildings? Well, we will tell you who. Constantia is a French building and the final resting place of Major General Claude Martin, a French trader who made his fortune with the French and later, the English East India Company. The palatial mansion contains a chapel and underground mausoleum along with several stories featuring classic examples of European architecture. Constantia also features some remarkable stonework statues; Biblical angels rub shoulders with classic Greek statues and lions across the expanse of this unique structure and which colonial building is ever complete without a pair of canons? So, if you are planning a trip to Lucknow anytime soon, make sure you pay a visit to this historic building right in the middle of the famous La Martiniere Boys’ College, Lucknow. Is it one of the best places to visit in Lucknow? Yes. Where: La Martiniere Boys’ College, La Martiniere Road, Martin Purva, Lucknow.
7. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Garden
The Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Garden or the Lucknow Zoo is another spot that is worth visiting especially with family or if you are a nature lover. The zoo was established in 1921 and is home to several species of animals including white tiger, flocks of flamingos, herds of chital or spotted deers and over 1000 animals across a hundred species. The zoo also contains a reptile house, an aquarium and a nocturnal house along with a butterfly park and a nature interpretation centre. The zoo is also home to a museum that contains important artefacts of the Nawabs of Lucknow along with treasures from all over the world including a full-size Egyptian mummy. So, ready to rub shoulders with Asiatic Lions, the Indian Wolf and the Indian Rhino? Come, stop by the Lucknow Zoo and experience the incredible diversity of nature and visit the museum for an incredible journey through time. Certainly, one of the best places to visit in Lucknow. Where: Opposite Civil Hospital, River Bank Colony, Narhi, Qaiserbagh, Lucknow.
Markets You Should Visit: Hazratganj
Aminabad
Chowk
Parks and Recreation: Ambedkar Park
Janeshwar Mishra Park
Gomti Riverfront
Indira Gandhi Planetarium
So, which of the above do think are the best places to visit in Lucknow? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.