Ganj carniwal in Hazratganj Lucknow

In 1810, the first Nawab of Awadh, Nawab Saadat ali Khan had this greatest idea of our present Hajratganj Market. The Nawab was then famous by the name Munnawar Baksh. Under his reign he ordered for creations of kothis in the European style. There were built numbers of buildings between Kothi Noor Baksh (presently DM’s Resident) to Kothi Hayat Baksh (now Raj Bhawan). Some of those kothis were Noor Manzil, Kothi Zahoor Baksh, Kankar wali Kothi, Munnawar Kothi are some renowned name. Locknow Club and Lawrence Terrace were also constructed gradually. However, in1827 Nawab Nasiruddin Haider laid the foundation stone of the Ganj Market and was popularly known as China Baazar and Kaptaan Bazaar where goods from China, Belgium, and Japan were sold. This place was later in 1842 was changed to “Hazratganj” after the name of Amjad Ali shah, who was known as ‘Hazrat’. 

During the British rule, the kothis were destroyed and were built with various other modern European style buildings. The architecture design was based on London’s Queen Street. Present GPO served the Britishers as Ball room or Entertainment hall. Janpath Market is one of the most popular part of Hazratganj market. The Indian Coffee House, Mayfair, Ring Theatre were famous during those olden days and were the pride of the city. Hazratganj is the heart of the city and is therefore the jewel of Lucknow. In 2010, the then present government on completing 200 years of this place existence was ordered a makeover of this market.

Today, we see a total new face of this area. The area has a hectic traffic and is the most opted shopping places in Lucknow city. In order to increase the entertainment programmes for the natives of city, Lucknow development Authority together with City’s administration organizes Ganj Carnival in Hazratganj. This is held on every second Sunday of each month where various cultural programmes are organized in the night. On the day, the area becomes no-parking zone with tight security services. The entertainmet programmes held of the general public gives them a way of soothing refreshment and give them a break from their tough schedule.