The
city of Nawabs, as Lucknow is sometimes known as, is the capital of
Uttar Pradesh, the largest state in India. The city has a glorious
history and has been known as the cultural centre of Northern India
for over two centuries. The arts, including painting, music, and
dance, flourished under the generous patronage of the last Nawabs of
Awadh, as the region around Lucknow was known as before the states
were formed by the British. The city is a wonderful tourism
destination and one of the highlights of Uttar Pradesh tourism. To
learn more about Lucknow, you can log on to touristplacesinindia.com,
which offers comprehensive information about the tourist attractions
in Lucknow, tourist accommodation in Lucknow, and other facts about
tourism in Lucknow
Baba Imambara
Bada Imambara is a famous monument of Lucknow that has historical,
cultural and heritage importance. Bada Imambara complex was
commissioned by the then Nawab of Awadh, Asaf -ud-Daula in the year
1784. The complex also includes the large Asfi mosque, the
Bhul-Bhulayah (the labyrinth) and a summer palace with running
water.
It is important to know that Imambara are actually the replicas of
tombs dedicated to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his family members.
His family members are known as Ahl-ul-Bait. Imams are the religious
heads of Shiite Islam who are connected to Prophet by blood. Most of
the original tombs are located in different towns of Iraq and some
in Saudi Arabia and Iran. Although all the Muslims love Prophet and
his family members, Shiite Muslims have a special zeal for them.
Imambara have a special place in the hearts of Shiite Muslims and is
the seat of most of the meetings, gatherings and Azadari
congregation. Bada Imambara is also the venue for annual Mohharum
gathering that is staged to commemorate and lament the martyr hood
of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
Like its junior cousin Chota Imambara, Bada Imambara was also built
under the 'Food For Work' program initiated by the then Nawab of
Awadh named Asad-ud-Daula. The primary objective in embarking on
this grandiose project was to provide employment for people in the
region who were devastated by persistent famines. The chronicles of
History maintain that the famine continued for over a decade and the
construction of the building continued for this time.
The architecture of Bada Imambara reflects the era when the
ornamented Mughal design was on its pinnacle. In fact, it is the
last puritan Indo-Islamic architecture and doesn't incorporate any
European elements such as use of iron and spires. The sanctum of
Imambara consists of a large vaulted central chamber containing the
tomb of Asaf-ud-Daula. The hall that is 170 feet long and 55 feet
wide stands 50 feet from the ground. It is interesting to note that
it has no beams supporting the ceiling. In fact Bada Imambara is one
of the largest arched constructions of its kind in the world.
Chota Imambara
Chota Imambara is the landmark of Lucknow. This monument is also
known as Husseinabad Imambara in Lucknow as this place was the
office of the erstwhile Husseinabad trust that owned the city once.
Chota Imambara is an imposing monument located in the Old City area
of Lucknow close to Chowk.
The story of Imambara is no less interesting than the Imambara
itself. It happened once in early 19th century that a persistent
famine engulfed Oudh. That famine broke the backs of lower strata
and agriculture labors. The then Nawab of Awadh named Muhammad Ali
Shah commissioned Chota Imambara under 'Food for Work' program
initiated to bring respite for the city populace. The monument that
was erected in order to serve as the mausoleum for Muhammad Ali Shah
got completed in the year 1837. Chota Imambara is also sometimes
referred as 'The Palace of Light' in British History Chronicles
because its decorations during festive season.
The State Museum in Lucknow is a must visit for all the
tourists and otherwise who visit Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow Museum is
rather situated in a modern three-storied building at Banarasi Bagh
area of Lucknow. It is actually a museum and achieve rolled in one.
The museum has separate galleries dedicated to sculptures, bronzes,
paintings, natural history and anthropological specimens, coins,
textiles and decorative arts.
Rumi Darwaza Rumi Darwaza is one of the most impressive
gateways not only in Lucknow or India but also the whole world. The
gateway lays Northwest of Bada Imambara. It is interesting to note
that Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula, like the Bada Imambara, also commissioned
Rumi Darwaza. Both were commissioned under the 'Food for Work'
program initiated by the Nawab to bring respite to the city populace
that was suffering from famine.
The construction of Rumi Darwaza was completed in the year 1784.
This impressive gateway is also sometimes referred as Turkish
Gateway in the British historical sources. The gate is said to
represent the heart and soul of the Awadh architecture when it was
at its pinnacle. The gateway that stands 60 feet tall was modeled on
the gateways of the then Constantinople or Modern Istanbul. It is
actually a replica of an ancient portal at Constantinople. Its
uppermost part consists of an eight faceted cenotaph that can be
approached by a staircase
Shah Najaf is the pseudonym given to Maula Ali, the
son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad who was the most valiant warrior and
the greatest intellectual of Islam. His nickname was Haider that
means Lion in Arabic. Due to his valiant efforts in protecting the
nascent Islam, he was bestowed with the title of Haider-e-Khuda or
"Lion of Allah". Ali later became the fourth Caliph of Islam. During
his caliphate he chose Najaf, a town in Iraq, as his seat of
governance. When he died, he was buried in Najaf only. That is why
he is also sometimes called " Shah Najaf" or The King of Najaf. Shah
Najaf Imambara of Lucknow is dedicated to him only.
