These 12 Historical Places In Lucknow Will Make The Mughal Era Come Alive

These famous historical places in Lucknow make the city a perfect destination for history enthusiasts

There are several historical places in Lucknow. The city of Lucknow has a certain allure. Lucknow, one of Uttar Pradesh’s two capitals, has long been India’s cultural and economic centre and has not changed much in the past two decades.

The City of Nawabs is also a tourism jewel, luring visitors from near and far. Its greatest attraction is its abundance of magnificent Mughal and British-era architecture that has weathered the test of time and provided visitors with a look into the past. If you are a history fan who enjoys travelling and turning the pages of time, this is a location you must miss.

Top 12 historical places in Lucknow

Lucknow’s top 12 famous historical places make the city a perfect destination for history enthusiasts.

1. Bara Imambara

Ask any local about the finest place to begin a tour of Lucknow, and the majority would recommend Bara Imambara. This location is so culturally and historically significant and renowned. It is enormous, as you may have deduced from the name. The second is that it is incredibly breathtaking, making it the best historical place in Lucknow.

This majestic monument was reportedly built in 1785 during a famine in Awadh and its neighbours. The region’s ruler permitted the construction of this tower to create jobs. Construction lasted the decade-long famine. The main hall is considered the world’s largest vaulted chamber. Shahi Baoli and Bhool-Bhulaiyan are popular.

Timings: 06:00 AM to 05:00 PM

Entry fee: ₹ 25 per person

Nearest bus stop: Teele Wali Masjid (550 metres) 

2. Chota Imambara

Do not be deceived by the name. Chota Imambara is not tiny and has no less tourist attraction than any other tourist destination in Lucknow or nearby. Also known as Hussainabad Imambara, it was constructed between 1837 and 1842, around four decades after Bara Imambara. Its golden dome, turrets, and beautiful calligraphy inspire awe at first glance.

Muhammad Ali Shah, the third monarch of Lucknow, commissioned its construction, and he and other family members now repose in graves within the Imambara. During their centuries-long rule over the majority of the Indian subcontinent, the Mughals constructed many structures that still exist today. 

Chota Imambara must be one of the most exquisite monuments ever built in India by a Mughal monarch and has made its way to being the best in Lucknow historical places.

Timings: 06:00 AM to 05:00 PM

Entry fee: ₹25 per person 

Nearest bus stop: Chaupatiyan (700 m) 

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3. British Residency

British Residency isn’t one of Lucknow’s best-preserved buildings, but it’s historic. It is one of the famous historical places in Lucknow. Over 3000 British people lived in the city in 1857, a focus of revolts against British control.

The building is many decades older. It was built in the late 18th century to host British lords’ guests. ASI has named it a protected historical monument due to its significance in the city’s history.

Timings: 07:00 AM to 06:00 PM

Entry fee: Free

Nearest bus stop: Gandhi Bhawan (300 m) 

4. Kaiserbagh Palace Complex

Kaiserbagh Palace Complex is one of Lucknow’s lesser-known attractions and famous historical places Lucknow. It gives a glimpse of the royal lifestyle of the region’s past rulers, albeit in ruin.

Nawab Wajid Ali Shah began construction in 1848. After completion, the buildings bordering Kaiserbagh plaza became Wajid Ali Shah’s harem.

Timings:  08:00 AM to 08:00 PM

Entry fee: Free

Nearest bus stop: Baradari (80 m) 

5. Rumi Darwaza

When reaching Bara Imambara, stop at Rumi Darwaza. One of Lucknow’s most beautiful buildings and famous historical places in Lucknow. It resembles a structure in Constantinople, the historic Turkish capital. The 60-foot tower is called the Turkish Gate.

Historically, it marked the entryway of Old Lucknow, but today it serves as its icon. Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula built various structures during the 18th-century famine. If you want excellent photos of this tower, visit it at night.

Timings:  10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Entry fee: Free

Nearest bus stop: Teele Wali Masjid (450 m) 

6. Chattar Darwaza

Chattar Manzil is a city landmark. Its name comes from its umbrella-shaped dome. This location’s architecture blends styles. The building’s European architecture stands out as one of the famous historical places in Lucknow.

Former Nawab Ghazi-ud-Din Haider reportedly started building. Before completion, the monarch died. Nasir-ud-Din Haider later finished the project. It’s a government office now, yet its original charm remains.

Timings: 08:00 AM to 06:00 PM

Entry Fee: Free

Nearest bus stop: C.D.R.I (210 m) 

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7. Jama Masjid

If architecture is a balm to your eyes, Jama Masjid is another metropolitan attraction and one of the famous historical places in Lucknow for you to discover. In addition to that! It is also an important spiritual centre, a place of prayer where faithful Shia Muslims congregate on all festive occasions.

Commencing in 1837, while Muhammad Ali Shah was in power, he halted the development of the structure upon the ruler’s death. However, Nawab Malika Janah assumed responsibility for the project’s completion.

The mosque in Lucknow is one of the best specimens of Mughal architecture. Giant pillars with Jain and Hindu sculptures are an absolute must-see.

Timings: 05:00 AM to 09:00 PM

Entry fee: Free

Nearest bus stop: Hussainabad (50 m) 

8. Dilkusha Kothi

The finest thing about the monuments of Lucknow is their diversity since they are constructed according to not one or two but several architectural styles from throughout the world. While the preceding structures showed Mughal, Hindu, European, and other architectural forms, Dilkusha Kothi displays the splendour of the Baroque style.

During his tenure in the 19th century, Saadat Ali Khan created this structure, an exact reproduction of the 1721 English country mansion Seaton Delavel. The lush vegetation around the structure adds to its allure, making it one of the famous historical places in Lucknow.

Timings:  08:00 AM to 06:00 PM

Entry fee: Free

Nearest bus stop: C.M. Residence (2.7 km) 

9. Firangi Mahal

The Firangi Mahal, one of the historical places in Lucknow, is located in the Indira Nagar neighbourhood of Lucknow. The Palace, previously the home of Mr Neil, a French merchant, was a key source of education and establishment for some of the most distinguished Muslim professors.

The Firangi Mahal is a significant attraction and an exceptional example of Mughal architecture and Islamic principles.

Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM

Entry fee: Free

10. La Martiniere

Claude Martin’s tomb is in the 1845 tower of Lucknow’s La Martinère School. This European-style structure has a library, chapel, and refurbished lobby and is one of the famous historical places in Lucknow.

The 1857 class of this institution is said to have played a significant role in the rebellion, even though boys and girls attended different schools. This city building is a masterpiece of European architecture. 1785 saw the institution’s founding. With Italian-style sculpture, the edifice exudes history. 

This property was furnished with French carpets, mirrors, paintings, and Plaster of Paris brought by Claude Martin. Architecture fans should explore River Gomti. This old building with carved arches and ornate balconies is one of the most prestigious in town.

Timings: 8 AM to 6 PM (visit preferably after school hours)

Entry fee: Free

Nearest bus stop: Chauraha Bus Stand 

11. Hazratganj

Hazratganj is one of the Lucknowites’ favourite locations and tops the list of must-visit historical places in Lucknow. This commercial district, where most of Lucknow’s bazaars are located, is known as the Park Avenue of Lucknow. It also has shopping centres, restaurants, hotels, theatres, enterprises, and offices.

Lovingly called the ‘Ganj,’ it is the city’s central retail district containing the showrooms and retail outlets of nearly all of India’s leading consumer goods producers, including automobiles, jewellery, antiques and Lucknow Chikan fabric.

Timings: 10 AM to 11 PM on all weekdays

Entry fee: Free

Nearest metro station: Hazratganj metro station (1 km) 

12. Husainabad Clock Tower

Another historical place in Lucknow and a landmark stand between Chota Imambara, and Rumi Darwaza is the Hussainabad Clock Tower. Since 1887, when it was constructed to mark the arrival of the first Lieutenant Governor, Sir George Couper, of the United Provinces of Awadh, the 221-foot-tall tower has dominated the scene of Lucknow. It is one of the nation’s highest clock towers.

Timings:  Sunrise to Sunset

Entry fee: Free

Nearest bus stop: Teele Wali Masjid (1.1 km)

If you have visited all of the above-mentioned historical places in Lucknow and still want to learn more about history, you may visit the State Museum. Do not assume that it is a typical, run-of-the-mill museum.

It succeeds where other historical landmarks in the city fail to shed light on Lucknow’s illustrious history and its inhabitants. Numerous artistic, archaeological, anthropological, and other artifacts reside there.