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The rapid growth of Lucknow dates from 1755 when the fourth Nawab, Asaf-ud-Daula, transferred the capital of Avadh from Faizabad to Lucknow and set about gifting to the city some of its most splendid architectural marvels, a tradition that was sustained by this successors. During this period, Lucknow also established its prominent place in the field of poetry, music, and dance. A colorful local culture, incorporating fairs and festivals, also flourished alongside. But what really set Lucknow apart from others was a certain elegance and grace of lifestyle. A romantic and courtly ambience became a part of the city. In fact, even today the city breathes history, and the sound of laughter and music, the tinkling of ankle bells and the mellifluous rendering of Urdu poetry (shairi) still echo and reverberate through the long corridors of time. Even today, when one wanders through the city, s/he will encounter the kind of refined courtesy and polish that seems to belong to another age.

The hall built by Asaf-ud-Daula for famine relief, is one of the largest in the world. There are excellent views of Lucknow from the top of the Imambara. An external stairway leads to an upper floor laid out as an amazing labyrinth known as the bhulbulaiya. The dark passages stop abruptly at openings which drop straight to the courtyard below. There's a mosque with two tall minarets in the courtyard complex and to the right of this is a well which is said to have secret tunnels opening into. The Imambara is open from morning to 6pm.

Standing on the banks of the river Gomti, this magnificent structure was constructed in 1794 by a French soldier - Claude Martin. The architecture of this building is a complete mixture of Indo-European schools. Italian, French, English and Gothic with a touch of Mughlai is how you can best describe this building. It held a place of pride in the heart of Claude Martin because he is said to have constructed it in memory of his love - Constance and named it Constantia. Before dying he expressed his last wish which was that his mortal remains should be laid to rest in the basement of this building. And so his wish was fulfilled. Claude Martin died on the 13th of September 1800. Claude had left a will which stated that Constantia along with two other buildings of his were to be given to the foundation of schools.

Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah who had a torrid romance with a Banjara woman named Bhagmati, after whom the city was first named as Bhagya Nagar. Later to perpetuate his wife's memory, he enlarged the fort city of Golconda and bestowed on her the title "Haider Mahal". The city later came to be known as Hyderabad.

The climate of Uttar Pradesh varies from moderately temperate in the Himalayan region to tropical monsoon in the central plains and southern upland regions The winter months are November to Mach. The northwest monsoon brings the showers in the months of June-July. The summer months are March-April. Lucknow is situated in the upper Gangetic plains of the country. Therefore, the climate of this region is characterized by hot and humid summers but cold and chilly winters.

Best Time To Visit: October- March