About LUCKNOW CHRONICLES – Memories, Musings, Myths
This book is an endeavor to bring forth certain aspects of Lucknow which are not usually written or talked about. From discussing a rebellious begum of Asaf-ud-Daula to the significant role of French “adventurers” (other than Claude Martin) in Awadh; the controversies during the succession of each Nawabi ruler, to narrating a tale of old Lucknow having horrifying supernatural overtones. Embellished with ample illustrations, this book is an attempt to enable the reader to appreciate and understand the diverse nuances of the city and hopefully be transposed to another place and time, while going through the contents.
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Author Bio:
Dr PC Sarkar, former Principal Scientist, ICAR, Govt. of India, holds a Ph.D in organic chemistry. He is an alumnus of St Francis’ College, Lucknow, Lucknow Christian College and University of Lucknow. In 2023, he opted for voluntary retirement from active service and returned to the city of his birth to pursue his passion for studying and writing about Lucknow’s lost heritage.In addition to a specialized book on chemistry and about a hundred research publications in national and international journals pertaining to his scientific profession, Dr Sarkar provided a series of articles on Lucknow, which appeared in the Heritage Page of the Lucknow Tribune during 2013-14. He is active in several fora related to the conservation of tangible / intangible heritage, particularly related to Lucknow. An avid traveler, he has criss-crossed the country, and also visited foreign shores in a bid to fulfill his passion. He has previously written 3 widely acclaimed books on Lucknow.
His first book, “Lucknow – Buildings, Begums and The British” (2015) contained aspects of Lucknow not usually discussed or described. The unusual buildings, other than the more famous Imambaras and the historic Residency, begums, other than Begum Hazrat Mahal, who altered the course of Awadh’s history and biographies of the unnamed, forgotten British Residents who actually stayed within the Residency and were directly and indirectly responsible for the events of 1857.
His second book, “Lucknow – Ode To A City” (2021) provided a descriptive analysis of Lucknow’s lost gateways, gardens and forts as well as the evolution of hybrid Nawabi architecture and the transformation of Lucknow in terms of city planning and landscaping under colonial rule; it listed the forgotten people of Lucknow, of both Indian and of foreign origin, who had contributed in one way or the other to create the Lucknow we know today
His most recent book was, “Abode of Fairies: Lucknow’s Parikhana” (2022). Wajid Ali Shah had produced an exquisitely illustrated, semi-biographical account of his Parikhana, called Ishqnama, which was in Farsi, but had been later translated into Urdu and Hindustani. Dr Sarkar’s work is the first English version of Ishqnama, which also contained detailed explanatory notes, based on extensive researches carried out by him.
“Lucknow – Memories, Musings, Myths” is Dr Sarkar’s 4th book, which was formally launched in September 2023. He is presently working on his 5th book, also on the lost heritage of Lucknow.