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India.com
20-07-2025
- India.com
From Curses To Love Stories: 5 Spine-Tingling Tales Only Lucknow Knows
The city of Nawabs, Lucknow is well-known for its magnificent historical construction, delicious food, and culture. But under the streets and monuments inspired by the Mughal Era, there lies an enthralling combination of myths and legends. These tales carry a magical touch and offer a glimpse into the cultural and historical aspects of Lucknow. Join us as we immerse ourselves in some of the most captivating local myths and legends of Lucknow. of Bara Imambara Bara Imambara, alongside being one of the most well-known monuments in Lucknow, is also a site draped in mystery. The structure is famous for its Bhool Bhulaiya (labyrinth) and it is known among locals to have countless stories of spirits roaming its halls. The story goes that the monument built in 1784 by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula had a vision to create work opportunities for his people who were severely suffering from famine. The workers were said to have worked themselves to the bone and it is said that many of their souls remain trapped in the walls. One of the most mesmerizing features of the Bhool Bhulaiya is its architecture, which comprises over a thousand passages that interconnect with each other throughout the structure. Some of these passages either lead to dead ends or hidden chambers. Visitors often report feeling an otherworldly presence around the place, especially in the passageways that are dimly lit. Even though there are scoffers that dismiss these experiences as illusions, there are some who still visit the place due to its mysterious nature. Did you know?: The monument was constructed in 1784 by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula The Bhool Bhulaiya has 1,024 passages. The spirits of laborers haunting the monument is a common myth amongst locals. Chattar Manzil Curse Also known as the umbrella palace, Chattar Manzil is a structure located on the banks of the Gomti river, known for its dome shaped roof. This structure is a work of art as it served as a palace for the royals. However, it is often said to be burdened with an unfortunate curse. The story goes that a royal concubine who was accused of treason laid a curse on the palace before her death. It is said that the curse brings misfortune to anyone who attempts to renovate or repurpose the palace. Even though it has been restored multiple times, there still lies accounts of financial difficulties, unexplained occurrences, and sudden accidents during the restoration works. These are attributed to coincidences by historians but are still enough to keep the tale alive. Did you know?: This structure is located near the Gomti river. Served as the headquarters of the British Residency during the time of the 1857 revolt. Curse restoration blunders association is often linked to locals. Residency's Well of Luck One of the notable places in 1857 during the First Freedom Struggle in India, The British Residency in Lucknow has a past that is mythological and steeped in history. It contains ruins of ancient structures, which also includes a well – famous as the 'Well of Luck.' As the legend goes, it is believed that wishing while putting a coin in the well can fulfill all the wishes of the person. The tale is said to have originated during the 1857 siege when soldiers praying for their survival and possibility of safety made use of the well. Even though the well no longer has water, the huge amount of coins 'thrown' into it gives evidence of the mystical powers bestowed by fortune. Pointers: The complex of the Residency was broken down in 1857 during the uprising. The well is regarded for people seeking for good fortune. The legend surrounding the well has not been verified by historical documents. Hazratganj Ghost Bride While shopping is the main goal for tourists who visit Hazratganj, this mesmerizing district in Lucknow also conceals some of the city's most intriguing flip-side tales, one of them being the account of a ghost bride. Rumor has it that a bride died a horrific death on her wedding day in the early 1900s. Strangers claim that they have seen a woman sobbing while aimlessly roaming the streets of Hazratganj clad in a red bridal dress. There are other stories that say she approaches strangers and requests them to guide her home. Anyone who dares to give her an incorrect response will undergo misfortune in their life. While others deem these stories as mere folklore, there are people who stand firm on their encounters with the ghost bride. Research Findings Hazratganj was established during the Nawabi period and has gone through numerous changes. Many people believe that the ghost bride can only be seen on certain moonlit evenings. Hers is one of countless unrecognized myths that have no proof of existence. Twin Trees of Dilkusha Garden Everything about Dilkusha Garden is simply beautiful. The atmosphere, the ancient structures, and even its traditions. One such story revolves around the twin trees situated in the garden. According to local lore, these trees were once part of a forbidden romantic relationship which ended in a tragic curse. These locals claim that the trees attempt to touch each other as if to prove their love is still alive. Countless visitors come to the garden in order to observe the peculiar growth patterns of the trees' branches. These patterns show that the trees' branches grow in each other's direction but never converge. The locals believe that if a couple times a thread on the tree, they will be gifted with everlasting love and harmony. Facts The garden was part of a hunting lodge built in the 18th century. Numerous couples try to get their vows blessed by the twin trees. Renowned floral scholars believe the towers to be a product of dendritic phenomena rather than magic. Wrapping Up Every legend and myth existing in Lucknow creates an appealing story that incorporates tangible and intangible facts about the area. Regardless of whether you are a skeptic or a religious follower, these narratives provide a platform to see the city's charm outside of its aesthetic charm. The city's stunning legacy only adds to the exceptional beauty of the city's treasures, and from its haunted deaths of Bara Imambara to the romantic tales of the garden, every story lends an additional level of charm to the city. Whenever you are strolling through the streets of Lucknow, pause for a moment. Absorb its culture, which might make your visit unforgettable.
The Print
30-04-2025
- General
- The Print
Hyderabad is neglecting its Art Deco buildings. Jeera colony to Bachelors' Quarters
However, one very neglected aspect, or rather part of the city's contours, is its Art Deco buildings, which were built mostly after the 1940s. There are so many of them, and almost all are slowly being demolished by owners to make way for modern structures. For that matter, even colonial buildings like the British Residency or the Rashtrapati Nilayam, completed in 1860, make some of us nostalgic—especially if you've grown up in the old cantonment areas of Secunderabad (founded in 1806 by the British). Whenever someone talks about architecture in Hyderabad, it is either about the foundational Indo-Persian Golconda period from the 16th to 17th century or the later Mughal-inspired Nizam-era structures. Given that it is so glaring, it is also understandable that monuments like the Charminar and the Chowmahalla Palace leave people awestruck. Hyderabad's overlooked heritage Art Deco is a form of architecture that comes from the 1925 'L'exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes' (International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts), held in Paris. It highlighted new styles of art, architecture, decorative arts, and industrial designs coming up in Europe and across the world. The 100th anniversary of the Art Deco style architecture was marked on 29 April. The exhibition was held specifically to showcase only new and modern designs, and no historical designs or styles were allowed. Just a few years before that, the American newspaper Chicago Tribune held a competition among architects to design its then-new building. The competition also set the tone for America's foray into the design philosophy of Art Deco architecture. The word 'Art Deco' in fact was popularised much later in the 1960s, but it essentially has three forms of design: zigzag or jazz moderne, streamline moderne and classical moderne. Zigzag buildings were essentially more opulent (some included inspiration from ancient Egyptian and Mayan cultures), while classical Art Deco was more muted as the Great Depression in the 1930s made its impact in the US. The third one, streamline moderne, stuck to industrial designs, with buildings often designed to look like ships, or planes, or even automobiles. This is what we find in Hyderabad. Hyderabad has a layered history: It has ancient medieval architecture, followed by the later Nizam-era mix of post-Mughal buildings, which also includes a blend of European architecture. And between these monuments and public spaces, the Art Deco heritage of our city is completely overlooked. One of the best examples of this is the Bachelors' Quarters building in Abids, located across the Moazzam Jahi market (built in 1935 as a market in Indo-Saracenic architecture by the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Osman Ali Khan). Built in 1941, the Bachelors Quarters—-with its ocean-liner facade—-once housed progressive Urdu writers for years. Another building that has always caught my eye is the Arya Samaj Mandir on RP Road in Secunderabad. It is an absolutely stunning structure. Until a few years ago, the Jeera colony behind it was filled with lived-in Art Deco homes. While a few still stand, many have been torn down. Also read: What makes someone a Hyderabadi—Irani chai, biryani, Nizam nostalgia, or Dakhni? Design shaped by technology Unlike Mumbai, where the Art Deco buildings (like those in Marine Drive) are protected, nothing of that sort safeguards such structures in Hyderabad. Sooner or later, most of them will make way for new construction. In a way, I get it. Many of these homes belonged to joint families that have since split, and naturally, the properties get divided too. That said, the Art Deco era was influenced by a fascination with transportation technology in the 1940s and 1950s. Hyderabad's old airport in Begumpet, built by the last Nizam, is also a beautiful structure. Across the city, even in its busiest market areas of Abids and Secunderabad, you can still spot several Art Deco buildings. Many of these buildings have interesting typography on them. Give it a few decades, and our Art Deco heritage will stand as a century-old reminder of how the idea of technology once shaped design itself. It's always nice to look at old photos of things that don't exist anymore and reminisce. What's better is if they stand the test of time. That way, we can show the future generations what modernity once looked like. Art Deco can be that, and this applies to every Indian city where it exists. Yunus Lasania is a Hyderabad-based journalist whose work primarily focuses on politics, history and culture. He tweets @YunusLasania. Views are personal. (Edited by Ratan Priya)
