Lucknow: Fire of Grace: Fire of Grace: the Story of Its Renaissance, Revolution and the Aftermath - Softcover

Misra, Amaresh

Softcover

ISBN 10: 8129104857 ISBN 13: 9788129104854

Publisher: Rupa Publications Private Limited, 2004

Synopsis

Lucknow: Fire of Grace is the first full-length, historical and contemporary narrative, spanning a period of 250 years, of the Indian subcontinent's most fascinating city-culture. In 1722, as the Mughal empire embarked on the descent to its collapse, a wazirdari arose in Awadh. Led by Mughal officers and Persian adventurers, it marked a break in world culture. Combining power, aristocracy, freedom, science and subterfuge, Awadh became India's first modern and secular kingdom. It was the last kingdom to be annexed in 1856andthe city of Lucknow fought valiantly against the British the following year, a keystone in the Revolt of 1857. The city never recovered from its defeat, nor would it be revived after India's independence in 1947. December 6, 1992, seemed to many the final nail in the coffin of a once magnificent culture. Very little of Awadh's past splendour remains today, but Lucknow has struggled on, not yet entirely bereft of the things that made it one of the greatest cities in Indian history.

About this title

About the Author

Amaresh Misra is a freelance writer, historian and poet, with a doctorate in modern history from Allahabad University. He is a political columnist for the Economic and Political Weekly of India and a regular contributor to the Times of India. He is also a script-writer and director of a television serial on 1857. The contemporary photographs are by Ravi Kapoor, a prominent photo-artist who is deeply interested in architecture and heritage.

Edition details

• Publisher: Rupa Publications Private Limited
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 8129104857
• ISBN 13: 9788129104854
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 408