Exploring Lucknow's Nawabi Heritage
The Lucknow we know and love today is a result of centuries of past, being one of the central points in the history of India. The city constantly throbs with a hum from the past, the Mughal architecture, magnificent monumental structures, royal elegance and that local charm only held by Lucknow. There are a number of historical monuments in Lucknow which account for the rich past that we study today, written within the walls of the city and tales that float around in a majestic but grounded air that the city holds. The Lucknow tehzeeb is a 'way of life' that invites you for a refined business meeting or a social vacation drenched in history.
As you stroll the precious streets of Lucknow, you can spot history walking past you in a wave of recognition. The British Residence that was built in between 1780s and 1800s, the location of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 or the Bar Imambara built in 1784 by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula which also holds within its carefully sculpted walls, the famous maze Bhul Bhulaiya-- a labyrinth with 1000 passages and 489 doorways but only 2 ways to escape- thrilling, isn't it?! Just a few steps away is the Rumi Darwaza which stands tall as the best example of Awadhi architecture and served its purpose as a trade gate. And if not the past that invites nostalgia, Lucknow has some beautiful getaways to nature.
Walk the Lucknow of the past
A heritage walk in Lucknow will introduce you to the Nawabs of Awadh or as we now famously know them, the Nawabs of Lucknow who established the Kingdom of Awadh in Lucknow in 1724 after the Mughal Empire. The city as we see it today used to be a center, and still is, for culture, arts, and cuisine. The blend of the Mughal and the Awadhi influence is intricately depicted through all the culture which Lucknow flaunts. For centuries now, the Awadhi food originating from Lucknow has been an integral part of the definition of 'Indian culture' mixing together culinary magic and colorful culture spread out on the most inviting plate._8d30999b)
Imagine watching a performance of the art form of Kathak, an Indian classical dance artform, communicating a mesmerizing story to you through their elegant hand movements and extensive footwork. Or weaving your own Chikankari clothing piece, being a part of a tradition that has been around for centuries as you listen to the locals speaking in the Awadhi dialect of Hindi, which is soothing to hear as you witness a language that was spoken by Nawabs of Awadh. A heritage tourism of Lucknow that includes all such artforms and cultural necessities would inevitably require to become a Lakhnawi in practice, a beautiful experience that would enrich your memory and enhance your identity with a personal elegance.
The Gifts from Lucknow
People from all walks of life would gain knowledge from a heritage walk in Lucknow. Starting with the British Residency, a site glowing with colonial history, moving onto the Bara Imambara and Bhul Bhulaiya leading to a short walk up to the Rumi Darwaza. And because the past doesn't just end with heritage sites but also its contemporary culture, swim around in the many mouthwatering scents of food that reach to you from the Hazartganj market. Or witness the thread of history being woven into the fabric of the Chikankari by handloom masters and traditions of craftsmanship in the miniature versions of Lucknow.
Don't just witness the history but let it play out, when you wake up in the morning to a hot cup of coffee or tea, or when you go to sleep while witnessing the rich historical monuments in Lucknow. How? These can only happen when you stay at the Gemini Continental. Walk the Chikankari-carpeted Banquet Halls or peacefully read with a heritage view of Nawab Saadat Ali Khan's and Murshed Begum's tombs in the background. Fill yourself with the Lakhnawi experience and Awadhi food at our banquet halls as we effortlessly intersect business and leisure.