Lucknow, the state capital of Uttar Pradesh, is located on the banks of the Gomti River and is referred to as “the city of Nawabs” by natives. The Suryavanshi dynasty is when the city’s history began. Lucknow, established by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula, served as the Awadh nawabs’ seat of government. Indeed, the Nawabs’ rule gave the city its polite culture, not to mention its opulent food, which is as well-known now as it was then.
Lucknow maintains its old-world beauty and splendor while experiencing unheard-of expansion and modernization. You will be seduced by the Lucknowi tehzeeb if you stroll around the streets or mingle with the inhabitants. To accommodate the expanding population, the Havelis have made way for flats, but the welcoming spirit has not changed. More than simply its elegant manners and delectable food were gifts from the age of the nawabs to Lucknow. Arts and crafts, music, dancing, and literature all flourished throughout this time. In fact, dancing styles like Kathak and musical instruments like the sitar and tabla were developed in the streets of this city.
Awadh eventually came under British control, and several of its structures and monuments still bear the imprint of Imperial administration. Urdu, Hindustani, and Hindi all originated in Lucknow, which has made significant literary and poetic contributions to India. The city also has some of the top artisans in the nation, and both men’s and women’s wardrobes proudly display their famed chikankari craftsmanship. Without praising Lucknow’s delectable food, no account of the city would be complete. While there, you may want to sample the renowned Mughal cuisine, including tikkas and kebabs. So, prepare your visit to Lucknow in advance, book your Dubai to Lucknow flight, and then take it easy once you arrive. You’ll fall in love with this royal place.
The Magnificent Nawabi “Palace Of Lights”
Muhammad Ali Shah, the third Nawab of Lucknow, constructed the Chota Imambara in 1838. An Imambara is a site where Shia Muslims congregate, and in Lucknow, these buildings also contain the Tazias that were erected during Muharram.
There are several public imambaras in Lucknow, but the Bara (large) and Chota (little) imambaras are particularly well-known. The Bara Imambara is a breathtaking piece of architecture that is unmatched anywhere else in the world and has come to represent the Nawabi legacy of Lucknow. Although it fully earns the honor, the location has become so well-known that the Chota Imambara is tragically neglected and only a small percentage of tourists ever stop there. I believe that the best way to remedy this is to share Chota Imambara’s exquisitely beautiful beauty with the world. Although Chota Imambara’s official name is Hussainabad Imambara, most people only know it by that nickname.
The compound has a number of interesting attractions in addition to the Imambara. Check out what they are:
- You enter the Imambara complex via the Naubat Khana, a sizable and exquisite ceremonial entrance. Like the majority of the complex, it is painted white on the inside and yellow on the exterior, which significantly raises the bar.
- The gathering hall, or Chota Imambara, is the main structure and is situated in the middle of the complex. There is a spacious open hall with several imported chandeliers from Belgium. The wall clock is from Paris, the copy of the Crown is set with priceless stones from all over the world, and the splendor is unrivaled, thus the Nawab was undoubtedly wealthy.
- Shia Muslim households prepare Tazia for the annual Muharram parade, which is subsequently carried through the streets and buried. These are sometimes submerged, like in Ahmedabad, but they are often buried in North India. Some of the more significant ones are retained as exhibits and buried the following year. It’s tough to distinguish between historical fact and urban mythology, but a caretaker who lives nearby may fill you in on additional information. Nevertheless, the tales are fascinating.
- The chandeliers in this room used to be lighted up, and they now shine glimmering light across the room. This is why, despite the fact that it was neither a palace nor a residence, the British named it the “Palace of Lights.”
- Mausoleum of the King and His Mother: The Imambara structure is surrounded on two sides by two white structures that resemble miniature versions of the Taj Mahal. These are really the mausoleums of the King and his mother, and the famed Taj Mahal served as an inspiration for architecture.
- It was standard practice back then to design your own mausoleum while you were still living in order to ensure that it would be a suitable place for you to rest. Both the Mughals and the Nawabs carried it out.
Mosque: A little but stunning white mosque may be seen on the left as you approach the property. Even if the magnitude of any of them is far less than the Bara Imambara, the level of craftsmanship is not inferior to that of the area.
The Shahi Hammam, or royal Bath, lies immediately to the left of the entry. The Turkish and Persian civilizations had a significant impact on India, and possibly this was one of those influences. The hammams also vanished with the monarchs, and I never truly saw an Indian public bath (this was undoubtedly private and intended primarily for the royal family).
Satkhanda: There is another highly distinctive-looking edifice that is incomplete outside the Imambara. When I looked into it further, I discovered that it was an incomplete watchtower that was originally supposed to be seven stories high. It was just three floors high when King Ali Shah passed away, nevertheless.
Making a quick journey to the neighboring Jama Masjid is important if you want to see the Imambara. Although the interiors are not accessible to non-Muslims, the magnificent façade more than makes up for it. During the festivals, the Imambara comes to life at night, making it a tourist and photographer’s heaven. The whole year is the ideal season to explore the Imambara. The mosque inside this monument complex will not be open to non-Muslim tourists. To comprehend the history of everything in the complex, it is a good idea to hire a guide.