Lucknow

Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh and large parts of the city were built during the time of the Muslim rulers known as nawabs of Oudh. They controlled a large region in northern India, for about 100 years, after the decline of the Moghul Empire. Lucknow used to be a gracious cultural city, but nowadays it is better known for its pollution.

There are numerous mausoleums in Lucknow, many of them are an advanced state of dilapidation. The Bara Imambara mausoleum is the city's most prominent building. It was constructed by Asaf-ud-Daula in 1784 as a famine relief project. It includes one of the world's largest vaulted galleries, as well as a labyrinth and a very deep well. The views over Lucknow from its roof are marvelous. Adjacent to the Bara Imambara is the Rumi Darwaza. It was also built by Asaf-ud-Daula and it is a replica of an entrance gate in Istanbul. Muhammed Ali Shah built the Hussainabad Imambara in 1837, no far away from the Rumi Darwaza, to serve as his own mausoleum. It has a silver throne, as well as small copies of the Taj Mahal.

The Residency, built in 1800, was the location where a small garrison of British troops was under siege of mutineers for 5 months, during the Siege of Lucknow, one of the most significant events of the 1857 Mutiny. The building was never restored and still stands as it was left after the garrison was finally relieved. It has shattered walls and you can visit the cellars where women and children were hiding during attacks. On the nearby cemetery, 2000 victims of the battle, including Sir Henry Lawrence, who led the garrison, are buried.

There are numerous hotels and restaurants in Lucknow. The city is 405 km southeast of Delhi.