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Lucknow Heritage Walk

The Heritage walk of Lucknow is a guided tour of the old city, starting from Lal Pul, Tila Wali Masjid, Bara Imambara, Gol Darwaja, Chowk Bazaar, Phool Wali Gali to Akbari Darwaja.

An experienced guide accompanies the visitors who answers all questions related to the sites and traditions of Lucknow.

By 1766 Panch Mahal had become the most prominent feature of Lucknow and was later called Machchi Bhawan. The fort palace probably got its name for two reasons: one, because the fort had two fishes on each of its twenty-six arches, hence, Machchi or fish. The second reason could be that the Sheikh had been awarded with the title Mahi Maratib or 'The honour of the Fish' by the Mughal emperor. The emblem of two fishes facing each other was the insignia of the Sheikhs, and the Nawabs and the British alike, later adopted the same. Even today, the fish emblem can be seen on many buildings and government seals of Lucknow.

As the legend says, it is believed that "Lakshman" the brother of Lord Rama laid the foundation of this city in the Tretayug. Since then it has been known as Lakshmanpur. Origin of the name of Lucknow is traced to a much later date after Lakhna, an Ahir, who designed the fort known as Machhi Bhavan. To the south-west of the historically significant Pir Muhammad Hill lies in the Chowk area of Lucknow.

It is the core of Old Lucknow. Today, this historic core displays a combination of unique cultural attractions, prominently in the form of its built environment and considerable commercial and artisan activities associated both with the location of the area and its resident population

Chowk has had a considerable size of Hindu and Muslim population, long before the days of Emperor Akbar (1556-1605). In 1590, when Emperor Akbar divided the whole of India into twelve Provinces, Lucknow was selected as the seat of the Subedar or Governor of Awadh. At that time, Shaikh Abdul Rehim, a noble man of Bijanpur (U.P.), went to Delhi to seek his fortune. Eventually, he became an official in the imperial service and was granted land in Lucknow. In Lucknow, he took up his residence on Pir Muhammad Hill and built in small fort near it, which came to be known as Machchi Bhavan.

Before the construction of the Machchi Bhavan, the important landmarks of Chowk, were the Gol Darwaza and the Tomb of Shah Mina, a celebrated Muslim mystic settled in Lucknow in about 1450.

In 1775, with Asaf-ud-Daula's accession, the town of Lucknow acquired great splendor.

To the west of Machchi Bhavan on the banks of the river Gomti, he built Daulat Khana as a residence for himself, the Rumi Darwaza and his incomparable Bada Imambara. After the revolt of 1857, the needs of the new master grafted a different environment to be made into the city. A hybrid city was created that was both peculiar and typical of the colonial era. The first phase of restructuring of the old city was therefore done by the British, in accordance to their needs. The treasure house of historical and cultural heritage - the Chowk, has faded in course of time. Yet it has retained some of its old glamour, in the changed harmony with modern trade and culture. Today, the rhythmic sound of workers hammering silver into thin sheets sound like the drum of symphony orchestra. There is an intermingled aroma of fragrance of "itra", scented oil and delicious sweets under preparation in the air. The market has a large number of "Gota and Kinari" shops, "Saryaf Khanas" and "Attar" shops. Thus even today, this place is a unique shopping arcade where gold and silver merchants, chikan workers, flower vendors at phool wali gali, zari-kamdani specialists are found at the same place.

Heritage walk of Lucknow

A guided tour of the old city, starting from Lal Pul, Tila Wali Masjid, Bara Imambara, Gol Darwaja, Chowk Bazaar, Phool Wali Gali to Akbari Darwaja is organised daily from 7:30 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. from April to September and from 8:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. from October to March.


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Heritage Walk Volunteer: 94150 19267
Naved Zia: 94150 13047 Tourist Guide, UPTOURS Travel Division.
Ratindra Pandey: 94150 13041, Manager, UPTOURS Travel Division.
0522-2612659,2615005