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Thye Legislative Assembly Building鈥攈ome to the state鈥檚 Legislative Assembly and Council鈥攊s an imposing symbol of Indo鈥慐uropean architectural finesse and political heritage. The foundation stone of the building was laid by Governor Sir Spencer Harcourt Butler on December 15, 1922, and it was inaugurated on February 21, 1928, after more than five years of construction.

Designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob and Sri Heera Singh, this majestic marble and sandstone structure is built from light brown Mirzapur sandstone, with interior features adorned in marble from Agra and Jaipur. The building鈥檚 central octagonal hall boasts a soaring domed roof, flanked on both sides by circular marble staircases, decorative arches, and painted walls.

While access inside may require permission or special arrangement, its exterior garners appreciation for its architectural significance and historical importance. Beyond its aesthetic merit, the Vidhan Bhavan is an active seat of governance, hosting all sessions of the legislature鈥攊ncluding budget, monsoon, and winter sittings鈥攚here elected members debate policies for Uttar Pradesh鈥檚 residents.

The Christ Church stands as a timeless memorial to the souls lost during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Consecrated on 26 November 1860 by Bishop Cotton, the church was originally known as the Church of England and was designed by General Hutchinson of the Royal Engineers. It is recognized as the first English church in North India and the third in the subcontinent.

A graceful example of Victorian Neo-Gothic architecture, the building鈥檚 cruciform layout鈥攖ransepts jutting out as arms and a chancel forming the head鈥攃reates both symbolic and visual impact. The elegant fa莽ade, rising into a lofty bell tower topped with a slender spire and topped by a slightly twisted cross, a relic of a 1933 earthquake, adds a stately presence to the cityscape.

The interior walls are lined with marble tablets and polished brass plaques commemorating British soldiers, clergy, and civilians killed during the 1857 siege鈥攁mong them General James Grant Thomson and Reverend Henry Polehampton. Two stained-glass murals, especially the large winged pane above the altar, lend a delicate touch of light and artistry to the otherwise subdued interior.

In the present day, Christ Church continues to function as a house of worship and also shares its grounds with Christ Church College, an Anglo-Indian school established in 1878. The site remains open to visitors, with free entry and permission for photography.

In 1827 the ruler Nasir-ud-Din Haldar Shah founded what was to become the Ganj market. He opened a Bazaar selling merchandise from China, Japan, and Belgium. In 1842, the shopping area's name was changed to Hazratganj, in honor of the ruler Amjad Aji Shah, known by his nickname "Hazrat."

After the First War of Independence ended in 1857, Lucknow was totally under British occupation. The Hazratganj was modified into a version of London's Queen Street. Mughal-style structures were demolished and replaced with European-style buildings.

The term "ganj" implies strolling along and shopping. Like Connaught Place in New Delhi, Hazratganj is a major shopping district in the city. Car dealerships, jewelry, antiques, books, food, and anything is available at Hazratganj. In 2010, the Market was transformed into a Victorian-style area with lighting, benches, and fountains.

Buildings in the Ganj are both new and old. Some housing shops, restaurants, and cinemas are almost 200 years old. Among the landmarks of Lucknow to be found in Hazratganj are the Mayfair Cinema, the British Council Library, the Lucknow Coffee House, and the Ram Advent Bookshop.

The Ganj is a place for malls. The most popular are Sahara Ganj, City Life, Lucknow-Riverside, Fun Republic, Umrao, City Mall, Wave Mall, and Singapore Mall. Have a lunch break with the rich Lucknowi cuisine at the Royal Cafe. JJ Bakers is dessert heaven. The Cherry Tree Cafe is great for snacks.

Showrooms, shopping complexes, restaurants, hotels, cafes, theaters, and malls abound. And let us not forget the monthly Carnival. On the second Sunday of each month, the Lucknow Development Authority sponsors a carnival in Hazratganj. The Market becomes a vast no-parking zone given over the public entertainment and cultural programs.

Saint Joseph鈥檚 Cathedral Church offers visitors a retreat amid one of the city鈥檚 liveliest areas. Built in 1860 under the guidance of the Irish priest Rev. Fr. William Gleeson and completed in 1862, the cathedral was blessed by Bishop Anastasius Hartmann shortly thereafter, making it one of the oldest Catholic churches in Uttar Pradesh.

The architecture of Saint Joseph鈥檚 Cathedral is modern, standing out from more traditional church designs in India. The upper fa莽ade is shaped like a giant crescent crowned by a tall column and topped with a imposing cross. At its center is a large statue of Jesus Christ with outstretched arms welcoming visitors. Inside, the first-floor prayer hall is spacious, with pews aligned and stained-glass windows.

For many, the most enchanting time to experience Saint Joseph鈥檚 Cathedral is during Christmas. The church is festively illuminated, nativity scenes are artfully displayed, and the choir fills the air with carols.

Shah Najaf Imambara was built circa 1816鈥�1818 by Nawab Ghazi鈥憉d鈥慏in Haider, the last Nawab Wazir and first King of Awadh, it serves as the mausoleum for himself and his three wives, each resting under ornate silver and gold tombs. The structure was named in reverence to Hazrat Ali, also known as Shah鈥慹鈥慛ajaf, and is thought to mirror his shrine in Najaf, Iraq.

The Shah Najaf Imambara displays a refined simplicity, marked by its whitewashed dome and understated Mughal elements. Its dome stands out for its broad, flattened form instead of the usual tall, onion-shaped profile, including two identical gateways. Approaching the building, visitors pass through a lush garden that opens into the main prayer space and tomb chamber, situated beneath a central hall decorated with hanging chandeliers.

Having served as a defensive stronghold during the 1857 Siege of Lucknow. Its robust walls withstood heavy cannon fire during the British offensive famously referred to as the 鈥淪torming of the Shah Najaf.鈥� Today, however, the atmosphere is one of quiet reverence鈥攑articularly during special occasions like Hazrat Ali鈥檚 birth anniversary or the reflective rituals of Muharram.

Originally conceived as a lush royal retreat by Nawab Saadat Ali Khan around 1800, Sikandar Bagh Villa was significantly enhanced in the early 19th century by the last Nawab of Awadh, who dedicated the property to his beloved Sikandar Mahal Begum. Spanning roughly 4.5 acres, the site blended Mughal and Awadhi aesthetics鈥攈ighlighted by an enclosed garden, fortified walls, bastions, an elegant gateway adorned with fish motifs, and a central pavilion that once hosted Ras-lila performances, Kathak dances, music, and poetic mehfils.

Tragically, the villa鈥檚 romantic legacy was overshadowed during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, when Sikandar Bagh became a stronghold for nearly 2,000 mutinous sepoys defending against British forces. On 16 November 1857, British troops stormed the garden under Sir Colin Campbell鈥檚 command, resulting in massive casualties within its walls. One of the most poignant stories from the battle tells of Uda Devi, a female warrior who is said to have fired at British soldiers from atop a tree until she was fatally wounded鈥攖oday, her memory is honored by a statue near the premises.

Today, the site is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India and serves as part of the National Botanical Research Institute. Visitors can explore remnants of the original walls, cannonball scars, and recovered artifacts such as muskets, swords, and ammunition, now displayed in the institute鈥檚 exhibition. Although much of the original palace architecture is lost, the main gateway and small pavilion remain evocative of the garden鈥檚 bygone grandeur.