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The Nawab’s Journey: A Tale of Two Cultural Capitals

An eight-day narrative journey tracing the historical corridor between Lucknow and Kolkata, exploring the shared lineage of art, revolution, and the evolution of the biryani.

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Trip Overview

Travellers:
2–6 guests
Language:
English / Hindi / Bengali
Best Season:
Oct – March
Duration:
7 Nights / 8 Days
Tour Type:
History, Culinary & Art

Description:

The Experience

This itinerary does not just visit two cities; it traces the poignant “exile route” of Wajid Ali Shah, the last King of Awadh. It begins in the refined courts of Lucknow, exploring the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb, before following the historical thread to Kolkata.
Here, the narrative shifts to Metiabruz—the “mini-Lucknow” recreated on the banks of the Hooghly. The journey balances the architectural grandeur of the Imambaras with the colonial intellect of the Bengal Renaissance. It is a study in contrasts and connections, bound together by classical music (Thumri), literary exchange, and the distinct evolution of royal cuisine.

Who This Trip Is For

This journey is curated for the narrative-seeker and the culinary historian. It suits travellers interested in the specific intersection of colonial history, royal tragedy, and cultural synthesis.
It requires an interest in exploring niche neighbourhoods like Metiabruz and engaging with the sociology of migration. It is ideal for those who wish to understand how the “potato” entered the biryani and how a deposed king influenced the arts of a colonial capital.

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Highlights

Day 1 | Arrival in Lucknow


Arrive at Lucknow Airport. A private chauffeur transfers you to your heritage hotel in the city centre. The day is left unstructured to settle into the leisurely pace of the city known for its etiquette (adab).
Overnight: Lucknow

Day 2 | Lucknow — The Royal Core

Begin with the massive Bara Imambara and its gravity-defying Labyrinth (Bhool Bhulaiya). The scale here reflects the height of the Nawab’s power.
Visit the British Residency complex to understand the conflict of 1857 that led to the annexation of Awadh. The evening is reserved for a private Dastangoi (storytelling) session or a walk through Hazratganj, observing the colonial architecture that shaped the modern city.
Overnight: Lucknow

Day 3 | Lucknow — The Bengali Connection


Explore the specific footprint of the Bengali community that settled here in the 19th century as educators and lawyers. Visit the Bengali Club (est. 1892) and the Atul Prasad Sen Road area.
Understand how figures like Asit Kumar Haldar connected the Bengal School of Art with Lucknow. This walk traces how Bengalis were not on the margins but deeply embedded in the city’s social fabric.
Overnight: Lucknow

Day 4 | Lucknow — The Culinary Source


Dedicate the day to the roots of Awadhi cuisine. Visit local markets to smell the attars (perfumes) used in cooking.
Dinner is a curated experience focusing on Dum Pukht (slow oven) techniques. Learn about the original recipes of the royal kitchens—rich gravies and galouti kebabs—before they were adapted in the east. This sets the palate for the comparison to come in Kolkata.
Overnight: Lucknow

Day 5 | Lucknow → Kolkata — The Exile


Fly to Kolkata (approx. 1.5 hours). Transfer to a colonial-era hotel in Central Kolkata. The atmosphere shifts from the feudal courts of the north to the humid, intellectual energy of the British Raj’s capital.
Spend the evening at the Victoria Memorial or walking along the Hooghly riverfront, setting the context for the colonial power that exiled the King.
Overnight: Kolkata

Day 6 | Kolkata — The Second Lucknow (Metiabruz)


Drive to Metiabruz, the suburb where Wajid Ali Shah spent his final 30 years. This is the heart of the “mimic kingdom.”
Visit the Sibtainabad Imambara, the resting place of the King, which houses his personal effects and royal insignia. Explore the surrounding lanes where the aroma of itar, kite-flying traditions, and tailoring shops still mirror the streets of Lucknow. This is a poignant look at a king trying to recreate his lost home.
Overnight: Kolkata

Day 7 | Kolkata — The Evolution of Taste


Explore the cultural synthesis of the city. Visit the Marble Palace or Jorasanko Thakurbari to see the Bengali elite’s lifestyle during the same era.
The final dinner focuses on the “Kolkata Biryani.” Discover how the recipe travelled with the King’s entourage to Metiabruz, where the addition of the potato became the signature modification of the original Awadhi dish.
Overnight: Kolkata

Day 8 | Departure from Kolkata

A private transfer takes you to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport. The trip concludes with a complete picture of a cultural migration that changed the artistic landscape of two cities.

Inclusions

  • Private airport transfers and luxury ground transport
  • Domestic flight (Lucknow–Kolkata) in Business/Economy as requested
  • Expert heritage guides for the Bengali Club trail (Lucknow) and Metiabruz (Kolkata)
  • Curated culinary experiences comparing Awadhi and Kolkata cuisines

Exclusions

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not specified
  • Personal expenses and optional gratuities

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Extend Your Stay

Add nights, add cities, slow the pace, linger longer.

Milestone Moments

Birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations, planned to your brief.

Private Experiences

Art, culture, cuisine, and special access, arranged for you.

Tailored Requests

Dietary needs, accessibility, preferences, and thoughtful touches.

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