Why Lucknow Is Known As “Nawabon Ka Sheher”?

Lucknow is located in Uttar Pradesh, India, the capital of Uttar Pradesh. According to one legend, the city is named after Lakshmana, a hero of the Hindu epic Ramayana. The legend states that Lakshmana had a palace or an estate in the area, which was called Lakshmanapuri. The settlement came to be known as Lakhanpur (or Lachhmanpur) by the 11th century, and later, Lucknow.  Lucknow is also known as the "Nawabon ka Shahar". It is spread evenly on both sides of river Gomti. It has always been known as a rich and multicultural city that flourished as a North Indian cultural hub. It continues to be an important centre of governance, politics, education, commerce, finance, pharmaceuticals, design, culture, tourism, music, and poetry.

A Nawab is a person who lives lavishly and doesn't care about others same was the story with the Mughals of Northern India they all live like super-rich imbeciles who didn't care anything about their subjects. In Lucknow, there was a king Nawab Wajid Ali Shah who likes to eat and live his lavish lifestyle even when his subjects were starving. Nawabs then like that everything should be done by their servants even if it is bathing the nawabs or feeding them. There is a famous story that when the Britishers invaded the nawabs in Lucknow in the palace of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah everyone was left but Nawab was still there because there was no servant for him to put on Nawab's sleepers. It had the seat of power for Nawabs in the 18th and 19th centuries and this is the reason why it is called "Nawabon ka Sheher".

Its name was Oudh or Awadh. It was a city famous for both its Chikan and Chicken. No other city can match the Nazakat (exility), Nafasat (sophistication) and Tehzeeb (culture) of the city of Nawabs. The architecture built here like Bada Imam Bara, Rumi Darwaja, Chota Imam Bara, Residency and many more is of great interest to all the people.

The people of Lucknow are known to be Nawabs to the present date. In other cities, the local markets open in the morning by 9 or a maximum by 10 but here the local markets cannot open before 11 or 12. You know it’s not in our culture. The people in Lucknow (who are born and brought up only in Lucknow) will always regard you with “Pehle aap” (You first) no matter if you are younger or elder. We people will call every person “Aap” whether you are a vendor or a rickshaw puller.

Then we all are familiar with the most famous cuisine Galawati Kebabs. These kebabs are being made since the time of the Nawabs. There is a story behind this invention too.  Nawab Assifudaulah was a lazy person or I should rather say he didn't like to do any piece of extra work. So, one day he asked one of his cooks to prepare such a dish which he does not have to chew but should be equally tasty as other dishes. Now all the chefs got worried then one of them thought of this famous dish i.e. The Galawati kebabs.

The people here are full of joy, they celebrate all the festivals. The most amazing thing is the concept of Bada Mangal. This was also started by the Nawabs. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah said that on these four Tuesdays of the Jyeshta month Bhandara (Stalls containing eatable stuff) would be set up so that no one sleeps with a hungry stomach, and still, this custom of Bada Mangal is followed. And luckily this year we have 9 Mangals. (Party time for Lucknowites).

One depiction relates to Banaras (Varanasi) as Subah-e-Banaras, whereas the other depiction has Lucknow, the capital of Awadh and hence referred to as Shaam-e-Awadh. Shaam-e-Awadh is famous as much as has been written about it and its atmosphere of lilting sounds of music and ghungroo, mujra dances and melodious singing of ghazals and thumri as forms of light and classical music that was associated with it, but there are so many other things which have been omitted by the poets and storytellers of yore.

Lucknow has not been affected by the massive modernization in the current world and has successfully maintained its elegance and ancient royalty/charm. The formality, politeness, and warmth of Lucknow are still intact. Whenever you will be visiting Lucknow people will always welcome and greet you with “Muskuraiye aap Lucknow main Hain!” (Keep smiling because you are in Lucknow).