Lucknow

Lucknow is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. With a population of 2.8 million as of the 2011 census, it is the eleventh most populous city in India and an important center for education, commerce, culture, and tourism. Along with Agra and Varanasi, Lucknow helps form the Uttar Pradesh Heritage Arc.

The city's history dates back to the 6th century BCE when it was part of Kosala, one of the 16 Mahajanapadas. Later, it became the capital of the Nawabs of Lucknow. In 1856, the East India Company took control of the area. Lucknow played a key role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and India's struggle for independence. Important leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah met there in 1916, signing the Lucknow Pact.

Today, Lucknow is known for its growing technology and automobile industries. It is home to important schools and research centers, such as IIM Lucknow and the Central Drug Research Institute. The city is also recognized by UNESCO as a City of Gastronomy for its rich and tasty food traditions.

Toponymy

Lucknow is the English spelling of the local name "Lakhnau." There are many stories about how the city got its name. One story says it is named after Lakshmana, a hero from the ancient story Ramayana. It is said that Lakshmana had a palace in the area, which was called Lakshmanapuri, meaning "Lakshmana's city." Over time, the name changed to Lakhanpur, and later to Lucknow.

Other stories say the city may have been called Lakshmanavati, meaning "fortunate," after Lakshmana. The name slowly changed over many years. Some believe the city was named after Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Yet another story says it was named after an important architect named Lakhna Ahir, who built a famous fort called Qila Lakhna.

History

See also: Awadh, Kosala, and Oudh State

Lucknow has a rich history. From ancient times, it was part of the realm of Kosala, one of the important regions in ancient India.

Over the centuries, Lucknow was ruled by many groups, including the Delhi Sultanate, the Sharqi Sultanate, the Mughal Empire, and the Nawabs of Awadh. The Nawabs made Lucknow famous for its art, music, and beautiful buildings like the Bara Imambara, the Chota Imambara, and the Rumi Darwaza.

Lucknow played a big role in India’s fight for freedom. During the big uprising in 1857, brave people from Lucknow stood against British rule. The city also was important for leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.

The city has been a center for different cultures, mixing Persian, Arabic, and British influences in its buildings, language, and traditions.

Lucknow was an important place during India’s struggle for independence. Many key events happened here, including meetings of important leaders and acts of bravery against British rule.

Geography

Further information: Cis-Gomti area

The Gomti River is the main feature of Lucknow and flows through the city, dividing it into two parts. Lucknow is located in the middle of the Indus-Gangetic Plain and is surrounded by many towns and villages such as Malihabad, Kakori, Gosainganj, and Itaunja. The city is near Barabanki to the east, Unnao to the west, and Raebareli to the south, with Sitapur and Hardoi to the north. Lucknow sits at an elevation of about 123 metres above sea level.

Lucknow used to cover an area of 402 square kilometres but grew to 631 square kilometres in 2019 when more villages were included. The city has three main areas: a busy downtown part, a middle area with concrete houses, and an outer area with villages.

Climate

See also: Floods in Lucknow

Lucknow has cool, dry winters from November to February and very hot, dry summers from March to June. Most of the rain falls between July and October, brought by winds from the southwest. Winter temperatures usually stay between 3°C and 25°C, while summer temperatures can reach 40°C to 45°C. Fog is common in the winter months.

Flora and fauna

Lucknow has about 5.66 per cent of forest cover. Some native trees in the area include shisham, dhak, mahuamm, babul, neem, peepal, ashok, khajur, mango, and gular.

The city is known for growing many kinds of mangoes, especially Dasheri, in nearby Malihabad and parts of the Lucknow district. Farmers grow crops like wheat, paddy, sugarcane, mustard, potatoes, and vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, and brinjal. Flowers like sunflowers, roses, and marigolds are also grown over large areas. You can also find monkeys in some forest patches around the city, like in Musa Bagh.

The Lucknow Zoo, started in 1921, is one of the oldest zoos in India. It has animals from Asia and other places, and visitors can enjoy toy train rides there. The city also has a beautiful botanical garden with many different plants. There is a Uttar Pradesh State Museum that shows old sculptures from the 3rd century AD, including detailed carvings of dancing girls and scenes from Buddha’s life.

Economy

Lucknow is an important city in India for many jobs and industries. It has factories for making airplanes, cars, and machines. The city is also good at making clothes with special designs called Chikan embroidery, which many people like to buy.

Lucknow is growing and has many technology companies. It is also a place where people study new ways to make medicines and grow plants. The city is working on big plans to build more places for technology jobs and to help people in many different work areas.

Administration

Lucknow is managed by several important leaders and groups. The Lucknow division includes six districts and is led by a Divisional Commissioner, who is a senior government officer. This commissioner oversees local government, infrastructure, and public safety. The District Magistrate of Lucknow helps the commissioner and handles tasks like property records and elections.

The Lucknow Municipal Corporation takes care of the city's daily needs. It started in 1862 and has had mayors and elected leaders over time. The corporation is led by a mayor, but daily work is done by a municipal commissioner, a senior government officer. The most recent mayor was the first woman to hold the position.

The police in Lucknow are led by a Police Commissioner, assisted by other officers. The city uses many cameras and technology to keep watch and help people in need. There is a special phone service to support people in distress.

Judicial institutions

Lucknow has a branch of the Allahabad High Court. The city also has a District & Sessions Court, five special courts, one family court, and two railway courts. The High Court branch and many other courts are located in an area called Qaiser Bagh, while the railway courts are in Charbagh.

People in western Uttar Pradesh have asked for a new High Court branch to be set up closer to them, in a city called Meerut. This is because many court cases come from western Uttar Pradesh, but people have to travel a long way to reach the current High Court in Allahabad. Having a closer court would help people get justice more easily.

Central government offices

Since May 1, 1963, Lucknow has been the main base for the Central Command of the Indian Army. Before that, it was the base for the Eastern Command.

Lucknow also has an office of the National Investigation Agency. This group works to stop harmful activities in India. It watches over five states: Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.

The Commission of Railway Safety of India, which is part of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, used to have its main office in Lucknow.

Infrastructure

The Lucknow Development Authority looks after building and planning in the city. It is part of the Uttar Pradesh government. The Divisional Commissioner of Lucknow is the main leader of this group, and a special government officer handles everyday work. The city has a plan for growth until 2031.

Politics

As the main city of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow is where many important government offices are located. This includes the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha and a branch of the Allahabad High Court. Rajnath Singh, the Union Defense Minister, represents Lucknow in Parliament. There are also several areas in Lucknow that have their own representatives in the state government.

Public utilities

In Lucknow, electricity is supplied by the Madhyanchal Power Distribution Corporation Limited. This group works under the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd.

Fire safety is handled by the Uttar Pradesh Fire Service, which is managed by the state government. Jal Nigam takes care of building and keeping up the water supply, sewer lines, and storm water drains. Jal Sansthan provides water and connects homes to water and sewer services. The Lucknow Municipal Corporation is in charge of collecting and managing solid waste in the city.

Transport

Roads

See also: Purvanchal Expressway, Agra–Lucknow Expressway, Awadh Expressway, and Lucknow Outer Ring Road

Lucknow has two major highways that meet at the Hazratganj intersection: NH-30 going north to Shahjahanpur through Sitapur, and NH-30 going south to Allahabad through Raebareli. There are also NH-27 to Kanpur and Porbandar through Jhansi and Silchar through Gorakhpur. Lucknow has many ways to get around, like metro trains, taxis, city buses, cycle rickshaws, auto rickshaws, and compressed natural gas (CNG) buses with or without air-conditioning. Recently, air-conditioned buses have been added too. CNG was introduced to help keep the air clean. Radio Taxis are operated by companies like Ola and Uber.

The Lucknow Outer Ring Road is a long highway that helps traffic move better around Lucknow and makes it easier to travel to nearby areas. It connects to several roads, including Sultanpur Road, Rae Bareli Road, Hardoi Road, Kanpur Road, Ayodhya Road, and Sitapur Road.

Further information on the road and street: Subhash Marg and Mahatma Gandhi Marg

Bus

City buses

See also: Lucknow City Transport Services Limited

Lucknow has city buses run by Lucknow City Transport Services Limited (LCTSL), a public bus company. There are 260 buses on about 35 routes in the city. Bus stops are in places like Gudamba, Viraj Khand, Alambagh, Scooter India, Institute of Engineering and Technology, Babu Banarasi Das University, Safedabad, Pasi qila, Charbagh, Andhe Ki Chowki, Jankipuram, Gomti Nagar Railway Station, Budheshwar Intersection, Faizabad Road and Qaiserbagh. There are four bus depots in Gomti Nagar, Charbagh, Amausi, and Dubagga.

Inter-state buses

See also: Kanpur Lucknow Roadways Service and Lucknow Upnagariya Parivahan Sewa

The main inter-state bus station is in Alambagh and provides bus services both inside and outside the state. There is a smaller station at Qaiserbagh. Another small bus stop is in Gomti Nagar called Awadh Bus Stand. Kanpur Lucknow Roadways Service helps people travel daily for work or school. There are air-conditioned "Royal Cruiser" buses made by Volvo for trips between states. Main cities served are Allahabad, Varanasi, Jaipur, Jhansi, Agra, Delhi, Gorakhpur. Other cities served are Jaipur, New Delhi, Kota, Singrauli, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Dausa, Ajmer, Dehradun, and Haridwar.

Railways

Lucknow has many train stations. The main station is Lucknow Railway Station at Charbagh, built in 1923. Next is Lucknow Junction railway station. The city links to big cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Nashik, Amritsar, Jammu, Kota jn., Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Pune, Indore, Bhopal, Jhansi, Jabalpur, Jaipur, Raipur and Siwan.

Lucknow has fourteen train stations, all connected by buses and roads. Trains between Lucknow and Kanpur started in 1867. The stations in the city are:

• Aishbagh Junction
• Alamnagar
• Amausi
• Badshahnagar
• Daliganj Junction
• Gomti Nagar
• Lucknow Charbagh
• Lucknow City
• Lucknow Junction
• Malhaur
• Manak Nagar
• Mohibullapur
• Transport Nagar
• Utraitia Junction

Air transport

See also: Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport and Lucknow Air Force Station

Lucknow's airport is Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport. It is one of the best small airports in the world. The airport can handle all types of weather and has space for up to 14 planes. It covers 480 hectares (4.80 km²; 1,187 acres), with Terminal 1 for international flights and Terminal 2 for domestic flights. It can handle planes like Boeing 767 to Boeing 747-400. International flights go to places like Dubai, Muscat, Sharjah, Riyadh, Bangkok, Dammam and Jeddah.

The airport is being expanded to allow bigger planes like Airbus A380 to land. A new terminal is being built and will be ready by December 2021. There are also plans to expand the runway. The airport is the eleventh busiest in India, the busiest in Uttar Pradesh, and the second-busiest in northern India.

Metro

See also: Lucknow Metro

Lucknow Metro started on 6 September 2017. It was built very quickly and is one of the most affordable fast public transport systems in India. Civil work began on 27 September 2014.

Lucknow has the third largest metro network in the state after Noida, Meerut and Ghaziabad.

In February, the Chief Minister approved a metro system for the capital. It has two lines: one north-south from Munshipulia to CCS International Airport and one east-west from Charbagh Railway Station to Vasant Kunj. This will help reduce traffic on city roads. The first phase will be finished by March 2017. The metro project is a main goal of the Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

On 5 September 2017, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and CM Yogi Adityanath started the Lucknow Metro.

Cycling

Lucknow is one of the friendliest cities for bicycles in Uttar Pradesh. There are special paths for bikes near the chief minister's home. The path is about four-and-a-half kilometres long and goes past La-Martiniere College Road, a golf club, and Vikramaditya Marg. The bike path is separate from sidewalks and roads. Inspired by Amsterdam, new bike paths are being built. There will also be bike rentals. In 2015, Lucknow had a big cycling event called 'The Lucknow Cyclothon' with both professional and amateur cyclists. The government of Uttar Pradesh is building a big network of bike paths to make Lucknow a great city for cycling.

Demographics

Lucknow's population has grown over the years. In 2011, the city had about 2.8 million people, with more men than women. Most people speak Hindi, and some speak Urdu. The city has many educated people, with over 80% able to read and write.

The number of working women in Lucknow is quite low compared to men.

Architecture

Main article: Architecture of Lucknow

Lucknow has many beautiful buildings with different styles from the British and Mughal times. Most of these special buildings are in the old part of the city. The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department offers tours called "Heritage Walks" to show visitors these important places. You can see religious buildings like Imambaras, mosques, and other Islamic shrines, as well as gardens, baradaris, and palace areas.

Bara Imambara in Hussainabad is a huge building made in 1784 by the Nawab of Lucknow, Asaf-ud-Daula. It was built to help people during a severe famine that year. It is the largest hall in Asia without using wood, iron, or stone beams for support. Thousands of workers helped build it.

The Rumi Darwaza is an 18-meter-tall gate built in 1784 by Nawab Asaf-ud-daula. It was the main entrance to Lucknow and is also called the Turkish Gateway. It leads to the Great Imambara and has beautiful decorations.

Lucknow has many different architectural styles. The University of Lucknow looks very European, while the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha building and Charbagh Railway station mix Indian and Saracenic styles. Dilkusha Kothi is a palace built by a British leader around 1800, showing English Baroque style. It was used by the Nawab of Awadhs for hunting and as a summer home.

The Chattar Manzil was a palace for the rulers of Awadh and their families, with a dome shaped like an umbrella. Next to it is the 'Lal Baradari,' built by Nawab Saadat Ali Khan I between 1789 and 1814. It was used for important royal events and now serves as a museum with portraits of key leaders from the past.

La Martiniere College mixes Indian and European styles. It was built by Major-General Claude Martin, who was born in Lyon and passed away in Lucknow in 1800. The college has domed ceilings without wooden beams and also shows Gothic architecture.

Lucknow's Asafi Imambara has special vaulted halls. The Bara Imambara, Chhota Imambara, and Rumi Darwaza show a mix of Mughlai and Turkish styles, while La Martiniere College shows an Indo-European style. Even newer buildings use domes and pillars, and at night, these lit-up monuments attract many visitors.

Around Hazratganj, Lucknow's main shopping area, you can see a mix of old and new buildings. It has a multi-level parking lot where an old police station used to be, with pathways, green spaces, and lamp-posts reminding visitors of the Victorian era.

Culture

Lucknow is a city where many cultures meet. The city has a rich mix of traditions from both Hindu and Muslim history. This mix began when the Nawabs of Awadh ruled the area and encouraged many different cultural practices. Today, people in Lucknow are known for speaking politely and with style. They call themselves Lucknowites or Lakhnavi.

Lucknow has special clothing called ghararas. These are loose trousers worn with a kurta (shirt) and a dupatta (veil). The outfit is decorated with zari, zardozi, and gota patti lace.

The city speaks Hindi and Hindustani, but Urdu is also important, especially in poetry and among older, wealthier families. Lucknow has been a center for Muslim culture and poetry, with famous poets like Mir Babar Ali Anis and Mirza Dabeer.

Lucknow is famous for its Awadhi cuisine, which includes dishes like biryanis, kebabs, and special breads. The city also enjoys street foods, sweets, and drinks like kulfi and paan.

The city celebrates many festivals, including Diwali, Eid, Holi, and the Lucknow Mahotsav, a yearly event showcasing local art and culture. The Lucknow Literature Festival brings together writers from around the world each November.

Lucknow is the home of Kathak dance and many musicians. The city is also known for its embroidery, especially chikankari, a delicate white-thread embroidery on cotton clothes. In 2008, chikankari received special recognition as a unique product from Lucknow.

Lucknow was named India's second-happiest city in a survey, ranking above bigger cities like New Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai. It scored well in areas like food, transportation, and overall satisfaction.

Education

See also: List of educational institutions in Lucknow

Lucknow is a special place for learning, with many important schools and research centers. Some well-known schools include Indian Institute of Management Lucknow and Indian Institute of Information Technology, Lucknow. There are also big universities like the University of Lucknow and King George's Medical University.

One famous school is City Montessori School, which has many branches and is known for being one of the largest schools in the world. It has even received an award from UNESCO for teaching peace. Lucknow also has many other schools, including La Martiniere Lucknow, which is one of the oldest schools in India.

There are also special schools for different groups of people, such as Integral University and Maulana Azad National Urdu University's satellite campus.

Media

Lucknow has played an important role in India's film industry. Many movies have used Lucknow as a beautiful setting. Some of these films include Umrao Jaan, Shatranj ke khiladi, and Vikram Vedha. The city is also home to several news channels and newspapers, such as Bharat Samachar and The Pioneer.

Lucknow has many FM radio stations, including Radio City, Red FM 93.5, and Radio Mirchi. In 2015, a mobile app called "My Lucknow My Pride" was created to help preserve the city's culture and attract more visitors.

Sports

Cricket, association football, badminton, golf, and hockey are very popular sports in Lucknow.

The main sports center is the K. D. Singh Babu Stadium, which also has a swimming pool and space for indoor games. There are plans to improve this stadium to make it meet international standards. Other important sports places include Dhyan Chand Astroturf Stadium, Mohammed Shahid Synthetic Hockey Stadium, and several others near Integral University.

In September 2017, Ekana International Cricket Stadium opened and hosted a big cricket event. In November 2018, it held its first T20 international match between the Indian national cricket team and the West Indies cricket team. It is one of the largest cricket stadiums in India.

Lucknow is also important for badminton, being the headquarters of the Badminton Association of India, which has held national tournaments since 1936. The city has produced many famous sports players, including cricketers like Mohammad Kaif, Piyush Chawla, and Suresh Raina, as well as hockey players and a tennis player who reached a major tournament at Wimbledon.

In October 2021, a new cricket team called the Lucknow Super Giants was formed and will play at BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium.

Parks and recreation

Main article: List of tourist attractions in Lucknow

Lucknow has many beautiful parks and places to play, managed by the Lucknow Development Authority. Some popular spots include Kukrail Reserve Forest, Qaisar Bagh, Gomti Riverfront Park, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Park, Eco Park, Ambedkar Memorial Park, and Janeshwar Mishra park, which is the largest park in Asia. These parks feature green spaces, a large lake, long paths for cycling and walking, and many different kinds of plants. There are also plans to build a big Ferris wheel that will give amazing views of the city. Near Lucknow, there is a special place called Kukrail Picnic Spot, which is home to many crocodiles and also has a small zoo and lots of open space to explore.

Sister cities

Lucknow has a sister city named Brisbane, which is located in Queensland, Australia.

Notable individuals

Main article: List of people from Lucknow

Lucknow has been home to many famous people throughout history. These individuals have come from different fields and have made important contributions to society. The city continues to be a place where many talented people live and grow.

Historical places

Lucknow has many special old buildings and places that people visit to learn about its history. Some of these places include Bara Imambara, Chhota Imambara, Imambara Ghufran Ma'ab, Aminabad, La Martiniere Lucknow, Isabella Thoburn College, Qaisar Bagh, Rumi Darwaza, Shah Najaf Imambara, Dargah of Hazrat Abbas, Dilkusha Kothi, Karbala of Dayanat-ud-Daulah, Tomb of Mir Babar Ali Anis, Imambara Sibtainabad (Maqbara of Amjad Ali Shah), Rauza Kazmain, Residency, Usman Enclave, All Saints Garrison Church, Lucknow, Alambagh, and Begum Hazrat Mahal Park.