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See |
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Here is listed some
most important places to see over Lucknow and its
surrounding historical plaes. |
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HISTORICAL
PLACES TO SEE |
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Bada Imambada
The Bada Imambada was built by Asaf-ud-Daula in the
year 1784 as a part of the famine relief project
where a number of labourers were appointed to build
this Imambada. It is a big vaulted hall with a
length of 50 m and a height of 15 m. There is also
the bhul bhulaiya-an amazing maze that might need a
tourist guide to get through.
There's also a mosque, but non-Muslims are not
allowed to enter. The mosque has two tall minarets
in the courtyard complex, which lies on the left
side of the well. |
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Rumi Darwaza
Asaf-ud-Daula built a number of historical monuments
during his time. The Rumi Darwaza was also built as
a relief work during the famine of 1783. Said to be
a facsimile of one of the gates of Constantinople,
this soaring edifice, which is 60 feet high, can
match any similar structure in point of beauty and
splendour.
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Husainabad Imambada
The Husainabad Imambada is also known as Chhota
Imambada. This imambada was the brainchild of
Mohammed Ali Shah, who built it in 1837. It is
believed to be the mausoleum of Mohammed Ali Shah
himself. The imambada also encloses a tank with
small imitations of the Taj Mahal on each side. One
of those imitations is the tomb of Mohammed's
daughter and the other one is of her husband. The
main imambada is topped by a golden dome, which is
supposed to be the tomb of Ali Shah and his mother.
There also lies the incomplete watchtower called the
satkhanda just opposite the tomb. |
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The construction of
this tower was withdrawn when Ali Shah died in 1840
and only the four storeys were made. There is
also the tallest clock tower estimated to be 67 m
high overlooking the Husainabad tank. The Imambada
is illuminated during the Muharram giving it a
wonderful look. |
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Residency
The ruins of Lucknow Residency give a clear picture
of the British rule in India. It was the Mansion of
East India Company's agent in Avadh during the Sepoy
Mutiny. This historical monument lies just near to
the Hazratganj area which is the centre of the city. |
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Jami Masjid
To the western side of the Husainabad Imambada lies
the Jami Masjid. The construction of the Masjid was
started by Mohammed Shah and was completed by his
wife after his death in the 1840s. Jami Masjid is
the largest mosque of Lucknow. Though non-Muslims
are not allowed to worship here, one can see the
wonderful paintings on the ceilings with the leaf
and fruit bowl patterns. To the right side of the
Bada Imambada lies another mosque named after
Asaf-ud-Daula. |
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Picture Gallery
The picture gallery was built in the 19th century
near the clock tower of Husainabad Imambada. The
picture gallery has a number of portraits of almost
all the Nawabs of Lucknow. This picture gallery
gives a good insight of the past when the Nawabs
used to be the sole authority of the entire area. |
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Banarsi Bagh
There is also a zoo with a big gate where one can
get a good view of the green surroundings and the
tiny cages of some of the animal species. The zoo is
locally known as the Banarsi Bagh. Within the zoo
ground is the state museum where a number of
impressive historical items are kept. The splendid
collection of stone sculptures that have been
brought from Mathura is a must see. Besides all
other collected items there is also an Egyptian
mummy, which attracts a lot of attention. There's
also a statue of queen Victoria and some of Her
highness's court men, which is kept in the garden
area of the museum complex. |
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Faizabad
It is situated 124 km from Lucknow, was once the
capital of Avadh. Easily accessible by both trains
and buses, this place houses the Fort Calcutta built
by the third Nawab of Avadh, Suja-ud-Daula. Besides
this, one can also visit the mausoleum of Bahu Begum
and Gulab Bari. |
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Ayodhya
It is situated
Just 6 km away from Faizabad is the holy town
Ayodhya where one of the most popular incarnations
of Lord Vishnu and the hero of the epic Ramayana,
Lord Ram, was born. It has a large number of temples
all over the town. The atmosphere of the town is
filled with religious fervour and piety.
Ayodhya is easily accessible by buses and taxis that
run from the Lucknow city. Tourists can approach
state government buses or private tour operators who
rent out taxis as well as buses on request. |
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Sravasti
It is situated 150 km northwest of Lucknow is Sravasti.
The Buddhist monastery Jetavana is an important site
to visit here, as it is believed that Lord Gautama
Buddha preached here after he got his enlightenment.
After the death of Buddha, this monastery got royal
patronage. This place is also accessible by the
available modes of road transport. |
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Kanpur
It is situated at a distance of 77 km from Lucknow, is a
modern industrial city of Uttar Pradesh. One of the
first cotton mills of the country was set up here.
Besides, this city also has some historical
monuments to visit. Kanpur is accessible by almost
all the modes of transport from Lucknow of which
trains and buses are the preferred ones. |
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