IN THE LAND OF THE NAWABS

Khwaja Haider Ali was born in Faizabad in 1778 in what is now known as U.P in northern India. Lucknow is the capital of the present state and is named after Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Rama according to Hindu Mythology. Khwaja saheb, better known as Aatish, his pen-name meaning fire was the pioneer of the Lucknow school of Urdu Poetry, was known for his rivalry with another poet of his times, Imambaksh Naasikh.

"Shab-e-vasl thi chaandni ka samaan tha,

Bagal mein sanam tha, Khuda meherbaan tha."

"Meri tarah se maah-o-mahar bhi hain aavaara,

Kisi habeeb ki yeh bhi hain justuju karte."

Besides poetry, Lucknow is known for its "Tehzeeb" etiquette, architecture, food and thread work on clothes known as Chikankari. My trip to the city gave me glimpses of all the above and more in a very short time.

Here are a few snapshots of the city as we braved the heat at 46 degrees.

 St Joseph's Cathedral Hazratganj, Lucknow

 Residency- The residence of the British during the Mutiny

(Notice the bullet and canonshell marks on the walls)

 Dr. Fayrer's House - Resident Surgeon

 View of Gomti river from the Tila Mosque (Mosque with mausoleum of Pir Mohammed)

 Bara Imambara - Built in 1783 during a famine by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula.

(The Nawab wanted to help the locals, who refused to take free help and worked for money. It is said that the ordinary people worked during the day to build the structure and in the night the noblemen came and broke down what was built.)

 The mosque in the Imambara Complex

 Chhota Imambara - Hussainabad Imambara - Palace Of Lights
Imambara - A replica of Tombs of members of the family of Prophet Mohammad

 A painting in the Chhota Imambara - Eyes follow you wherever you go.