The present day Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, was
earlier known as Lakshmanpur or Lakshmanavati. The popular belief is that the
city was founded by Lakshmana brother Bhagavan Sri Ram.
Ayodhya, the capital of Sri Ram, in the Ramayana is around
80 miles west of Lucknow. There is a mound in the old portion of Lucknow city
and it is known as Lakshman Teela.
The belief is that the city was part of Kosala kingdom and
Sri Ram gifted it to his brother Lakshman.
Naimisharanya, the holy place where Puranas were narrated by
Suta Rishi to Sanakadi Rishis, is located 10 kms from Lucknow.
The city in its present form was built by Asafuddowla in 1775
AD.
Gomti River flows through the middle of the city.
In 1902, the British brought the area under the command of
United Province. After independence, in 1950, United Province was renamed Uttar
Pradesh and Lucknow became its capital.