Lucknow
From Freepedia
Lucknow (Hindi: लखनौ Lakhnau) is the capital city of the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It had a population of 2,207,340 in 2001. It has a literacy rate of 68.63%. It is the second largest urban centre in Uttar Pradesh after Kanpur. The name is supposedly derived from the name of the brother of the Lord Rama, Lakshmana in Hindu Mythology who stayed here for a period of time, however, there are several other theories as to the etymology of this name.
| Lucknow District | |
| Image:Uttar pradesh.gif | |
|---|---|
| Mayor | Dr. SC Rai |
| Area | 3204 km² |
| Height Above Sea Level | 123 mts |
| Population - city - urban - density | 2,762,801 62.7% 331/km² |
| Founded: Becomes Capital City: | around 1500 BC Under Awadh Rule: 16th Century |
| Latitude Longitude | 26°50′ N 80°50′ E |
| Area code | +91 522 |
| Car plates | UP |
| Twin town | Montréal, Canada twinning in 2000 |
| District Government Website | |
Contents |
Geography and climate
Situated at the heart of Uttar Pradesh, 500 km south of New Delhi, Lucknow has mainly a tropical climate even though it is situated very close to Nepal. The temperature varies from 45 degrees Celsius in the summer to 5 degrees Celius in the winter. It is surrounded on the eastern side by District Barabanki, on the western side by district Unnao, on the southern side by Raebareli and on the northern side by Sitapur and Hardoi districts. River Gomti flows through the city. Some of the tributries of this river are Kukrail, Loni, Beta etc. Sai river flows from the south of the city and in the east enters district Raebareli. Lucknow is accessible from every part of India through Air, Rail and Road. It is directly connected with New Delhi, Patna, Calcutta, Mumbai, Varanasi and other major cities by Amausi airport.
Language
Image:La Martiniere3-Lucknow.jpg
Both Hindi and Urdu are spoken in Lucknow but Urdu has been the lingua franca here for centuries. Under the rule of Nawabs, Urdu flourished and turned into one of the most refined languages. Hindu and Muslim poets like Aatish, Nasikh, Daya Shankar Naseem, Musahafi, Insha , Safi Lakhnavi and the great Meer Taqi Meer took Urdu poetry to dizzying heights. The two great poets, Mir Anis and Mir Dabeer, became legendary exponents of a unique genre of elegiacal poetry called 'Marsia' centred on Husayn bin Ali's supreme sacrifice in the battle of Karbala which is commemorated during the annual observance of Muharram.
The revolutionary Ram Prasad Bismil "who was hanged by the British at Kakori near Lucknow" was hugely influenced by poetry and wrote verse under the pseudonym of "Bismil". The towns like Kakori, Daryabad, Rudauli and Malhibad produced innumerable poets and litterateurs of Urdu like Mohsin Kakorvi, Majaz Lucknowi, Josh Malihabadi and Maulana Abdul Majid Daryabadi.
History
Lucknow's history begins with its elevation to a capital city under the Nawabs of Awadh. The architectural contributions of the Awadh rulers, many paintings of whom are maintained at the Art Gallery today, include numerous mosques and palaces. Of the monuments standing today, the Bara Imambara, the Chhota Imambara, and the Roomi Darwaza are notable examples, although neglect by the authorities has put them in danger of turning into ruins.
The province of Awadh (anglicized to Oudh) was annexed by the British rulers of India in 1856. In the Indian Mutiny of 1857, the garrison based at the Residency in Lucknow was besieged by rebel forces. The famous Siege of Lucknow was relieved first by forces under the command of Sir Henry Havelock and Sir James Outram, followed by a stronger force under Sir Colin Campbell. Today the ruins of the Residency, and the picturesque Shaheed Smarak offer reminiscences of Lucknow's role in the Mutiny. During the uprising and the seige of the Residency in 1857, it was the students of La Martiniere College that went ahead to defend the Residency. For the valour that they displayed, La Martiniere College at Lucknow is the only college in the world that has received battle honours of the British Empire.
Other architectural delights in Lucknow include the Vidhan Sabha (State Parliament) and the railway station at Charbagh with its yellow domes and pillars. One of the oldest schools in the world is also situated in Lucknow: La Martiniere, founded by the bequest of the immensely successful colonial entrepreneur Claude Martin (1735 - 1800).
In and around the city
Lucknow airport is located around 20 km outside the city at Amausi. Locations of interest in and around Lucknow include Kukrail (a picnic spot and crocodile sanctuary), Malihabad (home of the famed Dashahri mangoes), Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi and Mirzapur. Lucknow is also home to the Central Drug Research Institute, the King George's Medical College (now King George's Medical University), Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, National Botanical Research Institute and Industrial Toxicology Research Centre which is the biggest institute of its kind (in toxicology) in Southeast Asia .
Aminabad, a quaint bazaar quite like Delhi's Chandni Chowk, is situated in the heart of the city and is a large shopping centre, catering to a wide variety of consumers. The Hazratganj area is the upmarket shopping area with colonial style buildings that also has a number of government and administrative buildings .
Kakori, 14 km from Lucknow is a unique place. It is known for train dacoity during the independence movement and the memorial of the revolutionaries is located here. The town has a predominantly Muslim population and in 19th century had the highest percentage of civil servants in the country compared to any other place in British India. This town that is located in the Mango belt has three dozen mosques and numerous huge havelis besides being the seat of the Qadiria Qalandaria Sufi order. The Alavis of Kakori are renowned for preserving the most refined and uncorrupted Urdu. The Kakori kebabs are a delicacy famous across the world.
The Asafi Imambara ( populary called Bada Imambara ), the Husainabad Imambara ( populary called the Chhota Imambara )Dilkusha Garden, The Residency , Shah Najaf , La Martiniere are some famous monuments at Lucknow. The famous "Bhul Bhulaiya "(meaning labyrinth) is part of the famous Asafi Imambara.
Lucknow is also famous for culinary delights, including "makkhan malai" (flavoured whipped cream) and "Tundey Kababs" and "kakori kebabs ".
Lucknow is also home to the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow one of the six premier business schools of India.
Culture
Lucknow, the golden city of the east' is struggling to retain the old world charm that still exists in the old quarters of the city close to the Chowk area. Regarded as one of the finest cities of India, Lucknow represents a culture that combines emotional warmth, a high degree of sophistication, courtesy and a love for gracious living. The 'You-First' culture so popularised as a tagline for the society of Lucknow is waning but there still remain people who possess those beautiful qualities. This sublime cultural richness famous as 'Lucknowi Tehzeeb' blends the cultures of two communities living side by side for centuries, sharing similar interests, speaking a common language -Urdu.
Many of the cultural traits and customs peculiar to Lucknow have become living legends today. The credit for this goes to the Nawabs of Awadh, who took keen interest in every walk of life and encouraged them to attain a rare degree of perfection. It is an extremely laidback city in some respects. Anyone visiting the city via the ugly and distant airport will form a very negative first impression of the city. However, the beautiful architecture and the yellow facade of the railway station, along with its milling crowds of travellers, hawkers and the general public can put a smile on anyone's face.
Arts and crafts
Chikan, sometimes anglicised to 'chicken' despite having no poultry affiliation - an embroidered handicraft which has traditionally been associated with Lucknow, and 'Lakhnawi Zardozi' are important small-scale industries around Lucknow. Old Lucknow's Chowk area is the location where the maximum number of Chikan factories and shops can be found. Apart from clothing, the Chowk area is also famous for its mouth watering sweets like 'Malai Gilauri', 'Badam Halwa' and 'Ras-Malai', as well as the famed 'Chatpati chaat'. Kathak, the classical dance form took shape here.xyz
External links
- News articles by Frederick Engels, detailing the siege of Lucknow and its subsequent relief.
- Hundreds of [1] Pictures taken around the city (from Flickr).
- Lucknow Gallery
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