Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, lies in the middle of the Heritage Arc. This bustling city, famed for its Nawabi era finesse and amazing food, is a unique mix of the ancient and the modern. It is home to some extraordinary monuments depicting a fascinating blend of ancient, colonial and oriental architecture.

• Lucknow was the epicentre of the 1857 War of Independence, and much before that, it was the seat of a line of nawabs who gave the city its unique identity.

• Literature, cuisine, performing arts and tehzeeb put Lucknow a cut above the rest – and the world acknowledges it.

• Among the magnificent monuments are Imambara, Rumi Darwaza, Kaiserbagh Heritage Zone, Residency, Dilkusha … and many more.

• Chikan and zardozi embroidery have made Lucknow a brand in global fashion

• Kababs and biryani are just two of a fantastic range of delicacies that beckon visitors again and again