Hazratganj
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Hazratganj, is the downtown and main shopping hub of
Lucknow Lucknow () is the List of state and union territory capitals in India, capital and the largest city of the List of state and union territory capitals in India, Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and it is the administrative headquarters of the epon ...
, the capital and largest city of the Indian state of
Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh ( ; UP) is a States and union territories of India, state in North India, northern India. With over 241 million inhabitants, it is the List of states and union territories of India by population, most populated state in In ...
. In addition to
bazaar A bazaar or souk is a marketplace consisting of multiple small Market stall, stalls or shops, especially in the Middle East, the Balkans, Central Asia, North Africa and South Asia. They are traditionally located in vaulted or covered streets th ...
s, it also contains shopping complexes, restaurants, hotels, theatres, cafés and many offices.


History

In 1827, the then Nawab Nasir-ud-Din Haidar Shah laid the foundation of the Ganj market by introducing the China Bazaar and Kaptaan Bazaar, which sold goods from China, Japan, and Belgium. The famous Taar Wali Kothi, the Dargah of 12 Imams at Khas Mukaam, the Choti Chattar Manzil, the Saawan-Bhadoh Mahal (the present location of the zoo), and the stunning Baradari, which was earlier situated between Kaiserbagh, Darulshafa, and Lalbagh also emerged during his regime. In 1842, the name of the area was changed to Hazratganj after Nawab Amjad Ali Shah, who was popularly known by his alias 'Hazrat'. After the First War of Independence in 1857, Britishers took over the city, and Hazratganj was modelled after London's Queen Street. Many old Mughal-style buildings were demolished and new European structures came up. Ring Theatre, the present GPO, served as the ballroom and theatre for the British officers and was called the 'Entertainment Centre'. It's another matter that its doors would be closed for the natives. This place was exclusively for Britishers, and natives were barred from entering. Later on, it was converted into a special court and witnessed the hearing of the Kakori Conspiracy case. In 1929–1932, the building was renovated in Gothic style, and a clock tower was constructed in the centre and The GPO, which was then situated in Janpath, was shifted to this building after that. When Amjad Ali Shah died, his son, Wajid Ali Shah, got an imambara constructed in Sibtainabad for 10 lacs. The magnificent edifice is now called Sibtainabad Imambara, a centrally protected monument, also under the U.P. Shia Central Board of Waqfs, situated on Mahatma Gandhi Marg, opposite Halwasiya Market. The memorial, which was under heavy encroachment and neglect, has recently been restored to its old glory and is a heritage Lover's delight. The Indian Coffee House (ICH) came up during the First World War (1914–1918) and was then owned by the Filmistan Cinema, which today is known as Sahu Cinema. Unlike Mayfair and Ring Theatre, ICH was crowded by Indians all the time. In the 1920s, the place became a paradise for journalists, writers, and thinkers like Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Atal Bihari V,
Chandra Shekhar Chandra Shekhar (17 April 1927 – 8 July 2007), also known as Jananayak, was an Indian politician and the prime minister of India, between 10 November 1990 and 21 June 1991. He headed a minority government of a breakaway faction of the Janata ...
to Yashpal, Amritlal Nagar, Bhagwati Charan Verma, and Anand Narain Mulla, who expressed their views over a cup of coffee. On August 16, 2019, it was renamed "Atal Chowk" to honor the late prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.


Beautification and makeover

In 2010, to celebrate 200 years of Hazratganj, the then government started a programme for the makeover of the area. The original makeover plan designed by the country's noted architect, Nasir Munjee, several years ago served as the basis for the final plan, that entailed an expense of Rs 30 crore. Hoardings from rooftops and encroachments on the road were removed. Buildings were painted in a uniform crème and pink; the same size and colour signage, stone pavements, Victorian-style balustrades, lamp posts, waste bins, benches, an open-air tiny amphitheatre, and colourful fountains were constructed. The century-old fire station was demolished to make way for the modern multi-level parking.


Shopping

"Ganjing" is ambling and shopping in the wide lanes and by lanes of city's Ganj market. Hazratganj is a major Victorian-style shopping area. It houses showrooms, shopping complexes, restaurants, hotels, cafés, theatres, offices, and businesses. Hazratganj shops sell the famous Lucknow Chikan material. Gurjari, Handloom Emporium and Gandhi Ashrams are also located in the market. The Sahara Ganj Mall is a 5-story major shopping mall located in Hazratganj. It is one of the largest shopping malls in India, covering an area of over 425,000 square feet. It also has PVR movie theatres besides a huge food court.


Movie theaters

Hazratganj has two operating cinemas: Sahu Cinema, located right next to the main Hazratganj crossroad, and Novelty Cinema at Lalbagh Circle. The closed Mayfair Cinema was once known for showing Hollywood movies. Other former cinemas in Hazratganj include Capitol and the now-demolished Leela.


Ganj Carnival

Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), together with the city's administration, organises a monthly
carnival Carnival (known as Shrovetide in certain localities) is a festive season that occurs at the close of the Christian pre-Lenten period, consisting of Quinquagesima or Shrove Sunday, Shrove Monday, and Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras. Carnival typi ...
on the second Sunday of each month in Hazratganj market. On this night, the market becomes a no-parking zone with barricades and security services. Various types of cultural and entertainment programmes are held for the general public. Lucknow Police watches the crowd with the help of drone cameras.


Atal Chowk

Atal Chowk crossing is the busiest crossing in Lucknow city. It is situated at the confluence of NH-24, NH-25, NH-28, and NH-24B. The whole area, along with the crossing, falls into Lucknow's Heritage zone.


Metro station

There is a metro station here in
Lucknow Metro The Lucknow Metro is a mass rapid transit (MRT) system in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. The metro is owned and operated by the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC). The frequency of the metro's services is around 5 - 7 minutes. Alo ...
. This is an underground metro station.


Schools and colleges

Hazratganj area is home to St. Francis' College, Seventh Day Adventist Senior Secondary School, La Martiniere Girls' College,
Loreto Convent Lucknow Loreto Convent, Lucknow is an educational institution founded in 1872 and located in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, India. Loreto Convent is under the management of the Sisters of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, usually known ...
, Christ Church College, National P. G. College, St. Joseph's Cathedral and Cathedral Sr Sec School.


References

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