Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, is known as the “City of Nawabs.” Uttar Pradesh is India’s most populous state, and it is situated on the banks of the Gomti River.
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Capital of Uttar Pradesh
With a total size of 3244 square kilometres, it is the largest city in Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow District and Division administrative headquarters are also located in the city. The city is thought to be named after Lord Rama’s younger brother, Lakshman (also known as Lakhan). The Delhi Sultanate has dominated Lucknow and the Awadh region since 1351 AD.
With a population of 3, 764, 619 people as of August 7, 2021, it is the fourteenth most populous city in Uttar Pradesh.
Lucknow has traditionally been regarded as “Nawab City.” It also serves as the state’s administrative centre.
Lucknow Geographical Details
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh’s capital) is bordered on the east by Barabanki, on the west by Unnao, on the south by Raebareli, and on the north by Sitapur and Hardoi. Lucknow is located on the Gomti River’s northwestern bank.
Lucknow, the state capital of Uttar Pradesh, is 123 metres above sea level. There are 402 square kilometres in total. Uttar Pradesh is the state where the city is located. Uttar Pradesh is in the centre, surrounded by one country and more than three states.
History of Lucknow
The city is thought to be named after Lord Rama’s younger brother, Lakshman (also known as Lakhan). The Delhi Sultanate has dominated Lucknow and the Awadh region since 1351 AD.
Because it is thought that Lakshmana had a palace there, the city was called after him. It was known as “Lakhanapur” by the 11th century, and it was subsequently renamed “Lucknow.” It was originally pronounced lakhnau.
Several hypotheses about the city’s naming have been proposed. Few people believe the city was named after the Hindu goddess “Lakshmi.” The name Laksmanauti, Laksmnaut, Lakhsnaut, Lakhsnau, and eventually Lakhnau evolved.
The city grew in popularity as a result of the monarchs’ extravagant lives. The monarchs of Lucknow in the past were passionate about paintings, art, and culture. The palaces were magnificent structures. The city became well-known during their reign as a result of its art and culture.
It was then taken over by Mughal powers at the end of the 16th century. Nawabs, who were appointed by the Mughals, usually dominated this area. Following it, during colonial control, the East India Company seized Lucknow (British Raj). Finally, after India’s independence, Lucknow was designated as the state capital of Uttar Pradesh. The city is now considered one of India’s fastest developing semi-metropolitan cities.
Climate of Lucknow
Lucknow has a warm and tropical climate in the summer and a chilly and dry climate in the winter. Winter lasts from December to February, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 3°C. Summer lasts from April to June, with temperatures ranging from 44°C to 33°C. The city receives an average rainfall of roughly 90 cm during the monsoon season, which lasts from mid-June to September. Winter, from November to February, is the finest time to visit Lucknow.
Area and Population of Lucknow
Lucknow is mostly a Hindu city, with over 70% of the people adhering to Hinduism. With 25% of the population, Islam is another prominent faith. Other religions, such as Sikhs, Jain, Christians, and Buddhists, also have a presence here. Diwali, Holi, and Dusshera are three of the most important Hindu festivities in Lucknow. Lucknow’s Shia culture is very rich; they usually celebrate Muharram and Eid with tremendous zeal.
Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, has a total area of 631 square kilometres with a population of 3, 764, 619 people as of August 7, 2021.
Sightseeing in Lucknow
There are several historical sites in Uttar Pradesh’s capital that should be visited at least once in a lifetime. A couple of them are listed below.
Bara Imambara
The “Bara Imambara” also known as “Asafi Imambara” is a magnificent compound in Lucknow that was built by Nawab Asaf-Ud-Daula in 1784. The architecture of the complex, particularly the Badshahi Mosque, displays the maturing of embellished Mughal design. It is one of the last big constructions to be completed without the use of European components or iron.
Bada Imambada is known for its maze, which is known in Hindi as ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa.’ It’s made up of identical 2.5-foot-wide passages found throughout Lucknow. The bullet marks, which were carved during the Mughals’ and British’s uprising, may still be seen on the residency’s remnants. The city is located in a seismically active area.
Chhota Imambara
Another important tourist destination in Lucknow is the Chhota Imambara, also known as Hussainabad Imambara. It was built in 1838 AD by Nawab Mohammad Ali Shah. Due to its decorations during special events, this castle is also known as the Palace of Lights. The Sat khanda tower, which is located right outside the Imambara, is large.
Rumi Darwaza
Nawab Asaf-ud-daula erected the Rumi Darwaza in 1784 AD. It is one of the outstanding examples of the Awadh region’s beautiful architecture. The city’s Rumi Darwaza is also known as the Turkish Gateway because of its design, which is extremely similar to that of ancient Constantinople.
Jama Masjid
In 1423, the Delhi Sultan Ahmed Shah built the Jama or Jami Masjid. Yellow sandstone was used to finish the building’s construction. It is a very significant spot for the Muslim people of Lucknow, and hundreds of worshippers flock there during the Muharram and Eid festivals.
British Residency
British Residency was a British colony with a population of over 3001 individuals. It is now in ruins, but portions of the Residency’s structures still contain the graves of approximately 2001 British soldiers who died in the Revolt of 1857. The British are thought to have abandoned their homes and sought refuge in these structures.
Shah Najaf Imambara
Nawab Ghazi-Ud-Din Haidar built the Shah Najaf Imambara in 1817. It is a lovely white-domed structure on the banks of the Gomti River, near the Sahara Ganj Shopping Mall in Lucknow, and about 1.5 kilometres from the major Hazratganj Market. Shah Najaf Rd is the route that leads to this structure.
Lucknow Zoo
The Lucknow Zoo is a 71.6-acre zoo run by the Uttar Pradesh government in the heart of the state’s capital city. The Royal Bengal Tiger, White Tiger, Lion, Himalayan Black Bear, Rhinoceros, Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra, Pied Hornbill, Silver Pheasant, and other mammal and bird species found at the Zoo include the Royal Bengal Tiger, White Tiger, Lion, Himalayan Black Bear, Rhinoceros, Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra, Pied Hornbill, Silver Pheasant, and many others.
Moti Mahal
The Nawab Saadat Ali Khan built the Moti Mahal, or Palace of Pearls. The Moti Mahal, which sits on the banks of the Gomti River, offers a breathtaking perspective of the city. The Nawabs utilised this castle to observe birds in flight and to relax.
Dudhwa National Park
Dudhwa National Park is a 681-square-kilometre park in Uttar Pradesh’s Terai region. It has a total size of 680 km2. It was founded in 1958 as a deer sanctuary, but in 1988 it was renamed the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, which also includes the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.
Aminabad
By the end of the 18th century, Lucknow’s Aminabad Bazaar had gained popularity. Shah Alam II ordered the construction of a marketplace with Imambara, Feelkhana, and many retail centres, as well as a lovely garden, in 1759.
Aminabad is now Lucknow’s most popular shopping destination. It is a local market in Lucknow where practically all household commodities may be purchased. Almost all of the time, it is crowded.
The market is well-known for selling inexpensive jewellery, books, bric-a-brac, and Indian bridal gowns. The market is also a fantastic spot to pick up some of the city’s famous chikan embroidery clothes.
Hazratganj
Lucknow’s centre and main retail district, Hazratganj, is the capital and second-largest city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It has shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, theatres, cafés, and various workplaces in addition to bazaars.
Colvin College
In 1889, Colvin Taluqdars’ College was founded. In Northern India, it has been at the forefront of western education. The College, which was founded to provide education to privileged children, has evolved to meet the needs of an equitable society after India’s independence in 1947. As a result, the College has a noble tradition that is merged with everything noble in modern India, where a person is expected to act in a manner that is consistent with his or her position and reputation.
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi, conducts the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (Year 10) Examination (ICSE) and the Indian School Certificate (Year 12) Examination (ISC) (CISCE).
How to reach Lucknow
By air and land, Lucknow is well connected to all of India’s states.
Lucknow is accessible by air and land. The city has an airport, which may be reached by train, vehicle, or bus from the land. The city of Lucknow is 3.2 kilometres away from the Lucknow station.
How to reach Lucknow – By Road
Lucknow is served by four major national highways that connect it to Delhi (through NH-24), Shivpuri, Jhansi (by NH-25), Varanasi (via NH-56), and Bihar (NH – 28).
Every day, the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation runs roughly 301 buses. There are around 35 routes in the city at this time. Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar bus station in Alambagh is one of Lucknow’s major bus terminals. Qaiserbagh and Charbagh are two other notable bus stations. This city is served by buses from all of northern India’s major cities.
How to reach Lucknow – By Rail
Lucknow’s railway network is well connected to other important cities in northern Indian states. The major target for you is the Lucknow Railway Station, which is located in the city’s Charbagh neighbourhood. Northern Indian Railway division owns and operates this station.
Alamnagar, Malhaur, Utretia, Amausi, Aishbagh junction, Daliganj, and others are some of the significant railway stations in and near Lucknow. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Pune, Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Jaipur, and other cities may easily reach the city.
How to reach Lucknow – By Air
If you want to fly to Lucknow, the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Amausi is the place to go. It’s roughly 21 kilometres from Lucknow’s city centre.
You can fly from major Indian cities such as New Delhi, Bangalore, Patna, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. Several foreign flights arrive at this airport from Oman, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and other countries. Special aircraft are also flown from the city during the Haj.
Accommodation in Lucknow
There are several hotels in Lucknow city. Some of the popular ones are as below:
- Hotel Clarks Avadh, M.G. Marg, Lucknow-226001; Phone: 0522-2620131
- Hotel Sagar International, Jopling Road, Lucknow -226001; Phone: 0522-2206601
- Hotel Comfort Inn, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow-226010; Phone: 0522-2720988
- Hotel Taj Residency, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow-226010; Phone: 0522-2393939
- Hotel the Piccadily, Bara Birawa, Kanpur Rd, Lucknow; Phone: 0522-4096000
- Hotel Gemini Continental, Laxmi Bai Marg, Lucknow-226001; Phone: 0522-4011111
- Kapoor Hotel, 52, Hazratganj, Lucknow; Phone: 0522-2223958
Lucknow’s Food
The city is well-known for its unique cuisine. In Lucknow, you can enjoy delectable meals ranging from street food to the main course. The cooks and royal chefs of Lucknow have exceeded the expectations of Indian and international visitors.
The most popular foods in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh’s capital, include tunday ke kababs (invented by a single hand chef), kormas, kaliya, Nahari, kulchas, zarda, sheermal, roomali rotis, Biryani, Chaat, Kulgi, and Paan.
Architecture of Lucknow
Large architectural structures like imamabaras, mosques, enclosed gardens, historic palaces, baghs, and halls may be seen in Lucknow. The monarchs and their culture are reflected strongly in the city.
Even though the city contains modern structures, the city’s heritage is still evident when wandering through Lucknow’s streets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Lucknow so famous?
Lucknow is a historically significant city that has been at the core of North Indian culture for millennia. The city was known for its Adab and Tehzeeb (courtesy and hospitality), delicate needlework, gorgeous gardens, and dance forms like Kathak, among other things.
Is Lucknow a rich city?
Lucknow is known for being a culturally rich city, and all credit for this belongs to the friendly and helpful people who live here.
What was Lucknow’s old name?
Lakshmanpur, some claim that Lucknow’s original name was Lakshmanpur, also known as Lakhanpur or Lachmanpur.
What is the short name of Lucknow?
LKO – Charbagh Railway Station, Lucknow. Railway Station Code: LKO.
| Details of Lucknow | |
| Area | 2,528 km2 (976 sq mi) |
| Altitude | 123 m (404 ft) |
| Location | Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Landmark | On the bank of the River Gomti. |
| Climate | Winter: Average 16°C
Summer: Average 35°C |
| Best Season | November to March |
| Languages | Hindi (main language), Urdu & English |
| Railway Station | Lucknow Railway Station |
| Airport | CCS International Airport |
| Currency | Indian Rupee |
| Time Zone | UTC+5:30 |
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