Lucknow-The city of Nawabs & Tahzeeb!

Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh is called as the city of Nawabs where Tahzeeb (Cultural) and Tameez (Manners) still runs in the city’s breeze. Blended with exceptional Mughal and British Raj architecture, Lucknow’s reputation as a city of gracious living and rich cuisine has continued to this day. The city rose its importance in 1528 soon after it was captured by Babur, the Mughal ruler of India.
The engineering brilliance of Awadh architecture and seating of Awadhi Nawabs deemed Lucknow as the home of the Nawabs of Avadh, who were great benefactors of the culinary and other arts, particularly dance and music. Lucknow has witnessed the rise and fall of both Mughals and Britishers, which defines the rich history and strong foundation of the land. Lucknow is the land of wide boulevards, grand monuments, parks and gardens, that verily adds to its ever growing beauty. Locals tend to be welcoming, super polite, helping and the hospitality that you will experience in Lucknow is one of a kind in the world.

When Lucknow became the capital during the Nawab rule, the city was patronized for art and Chowk became the hub. Small Karkhanas(workshops) are spread in the entire street, some of the traditional crafts that can still be seen includes Zardozi work(gold embroidery), Chikan work(especially block-printing the designs), Kites making and some iconic ittar shops. While talking about Lucknow, one can never miss out on Umrao Jaan- the famous courtesan front of the Nawab era and the flourishment of the dance form Kathak (the most famous classical dance
form of north) in Kothas. There’s an interesting history of Lucknow’s perfume industry being closely linked to Kothas, the kathak dancers would dance for hours altogether, and would sweat a lot. Of course, a courtesan who stinks of sweat was considered disrespectful, so they used perfumes or ittar.

Moreover, other influence that the Mughals brought to Lucknow was the Unani Medicine that came to India with Islam, and it was promptly accepted because of its benefits. Unani Dawakhanas (dispensaries) were as popular just as Ayurveda centers, and both used herbs and traditional medicines for treatment.

A walk through in the city is not complete without Aminabad, one of the oldest markets in the city, is a sensory overload, bustling with local businesses and the textile industry is the place where you should be if you are a shopaholic. Food lovers have another reason to revisit Lucknow for its lip-smacking food range as its food paradise for Non-veg food lovers serving items such as Tunde Kebab to Rahim Ki Nihari, veg food lovers shouldn’t be dishearten as there’s an amazing range of street food to match their taste buds too.

What’s the purpose of Khoj.co, if you are just nostalgic and returning back to your lives, to bring your city close to you is our promise.