Lucknow City of Illusion

the long version

The north Indian city of Lucknow extends along the banks of the river Gomti. Once the centre of a distinctive and highly sophisticated culture it embraced several religious communities and disparate ethnic types. Lucknow was also the site of some of the most violent encounters of the revolt of 1857. As a result, many of its flamboyant and culturally diverse buildings were remorselessly razed to the ground. In this publication, many striking photographs from the Alkazi collection trace the life and death of many of Lucknow's impressive building and architectural complexes. (Back cover).