Lucknow - the old capital of the nawabs of Awadh where culture, courtesy and courtly lifestlye reigned supreme. Life in Lucknow was characterised by an old world charm with warmth, hospitality and a genteel formality inherent in every facet of its people. The city saw its most glorious days under the Nawabs when it became a great centre for literature, music, dance, arts and crafts. Contemporary Lucknow is a far cry from the elegance and class of the old Awadh; now, the city is very much a reflection of modern India with unplanned development, crowded streets and polluted air. But the discerning traveller can still glimpse of the aura of those heady days in the old monuments, ruins and inner city lanes and alleyways.