Lucknow, capital of India's most populous state - Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow, is evocative of a lifestyle long gone by - only its vestiges are still to be found in the city's mannerisms and habits. The city probably derives its name from the legend that Rama gave away this part of the country to Lakshmana, his yonger brother. Lucknow was the abode of the Nawabs of Avadh, and their regal pastimes and pleasures were legendry.

Lucknow, took almost two centuries to grow to the size of a metropolis. The first hundred years of success, belonged to the Nawab Wazirs who, in different degrees contributed to its growth and transformed it into, what has been metaphorically called, the "Shiraz of Avadh", and the "Constantinople of India". The Nawabs were responsible for imparting a distinct image to the city, which indeed, is unique. They worked meticulously to dress Lucknow, with religious and secular edifices of unsurpassed excellence. The city of Lucknow, spread evenly on both sides of the river Gomti, offers the tourist plenty of places of historical interest. 

Hussainnabad Imambara
Also known as the Chhota, or Small Imambara, This was built by Mohammed Ali Shah in 1837 as his own mausoleum. Thousands of labourers worked on the project to gain famine relief.

Laxman Tila
Situated north of the Imambara complex which houses the Alamgir Mosque, was built by Sultan Ali, the governor of Awadh during Aurangzeb's reign.

Rumi Darwaza
Rumi Darwaza is a massive gateway situated west of the Bara Imambara and was built by Nawab Asaf-ud-daulah in 1784.

Clock Tower
Near the Rumi Darwaza, is a 221 feet high clock tower built by Nawab Mohammed Ali Shah in 1881.