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HISTORY OF LUCKNOW

Lucknow, the capital city of the state of Uttar Pradesh, formerly named Avadh or Oudh a city synonymous with the Nawabi Culture. The imperialistic splendor and magnificence of the Nawabi Era has been glorified and eulogized down though the ages by writers, poets, and historians alike. At the same time, its mystical elegance has caught the fascination of many world famous romantics. Known for its "Adab and Tehzeeb" (cultural refinement), Lucknow is also associated with its legendary hospitality, leisurely mood of life, fabled edifices steeped in history, world renowned cuisine and exquisite "Sham-e-Avadh". As the 18th century seat of the Nawabs of Avadh, Lucknow flourished, becoming an important political and cultural center, rivaling Delhi in its patronage to art and literature.

Modern Lucknow is spread evenly on both sides of the river Gomti, a tributary of the Ganga River. It is a perfect blend of the ancient with the modern, as many flitzy shopping arcades coexist with the old monuments. The greatest attraction of Lucknow, where the past jostles with the present, is its unique ability to achieve harmony amidst disorder and to assimilate the new into the old. Unfortunately, in spite of its historical value and the cultural associations, the city suffers a lot under the enormous pollution.

One of the evidences of the cities grand heritage is the language of Urdu. Urdu is one of India's 16 official languages and is spoken primarily by the Muslims of North India and in the country of Pakistan. Although Urdu is spoken just like Hindi, the dialect in Lucknow is very formal. Unlike its linguistic cousin, Hindi, Urdu uses an Arabic based script. Within the city of Lucknow, 17% of the population is Muslim, and therefore are accustom to using Urdu in their daily lives.

For more information on the history of Lucknow, click here.