How The City of Nawabs Got Its Name

Every city has a story behind its name, and in the case of Lucknow, that story is woven with threads of mythology, history, and folklore. For centuries, poets, historians, and travelers have debated the true origin of this city’s name. Was it born out of the Ramayana, shaped by the Mughals, or softened by the Nawabi culture? Let’s explore how Lucknow gained its name.

The most popular belief traces the name to Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Rama. According to the Ramayana, after defeating Ravana and returning to Ayodhya, Rama divided his kingdom among his brothers. He gifted this fertile region on the banks of the Gomti River to Lakshman.

Lakshman is believed to have established a settlement here, which came to be called Lakhanpur, Lakshmanpuri, or Lakhanavati. Over time, as languages evolved and rulers changed, the name gradually transformed—Lakhanpur → Lakhnao → Lucknow. This connection with Lakshman is so deep that even today, there is a mound called Lakshman Teela in old Lucknow, considered one of the earliest settlements of the city.

Names often change as cultures meet, and Lucknow was no exception. During the Mughal era, Persian became the language of administration and culture. Words often took a softer, more fluid form in Persian and Urdu. Thus, Lakhanpur slowly became Lakhnao in Mughal records.

By the 18th century, when the Nawabs of Awadh made the city their capital, the name “Lucknow” was firmly in use. British travelers and court historians of that period also recorded it as “Lucknow,” sealing its identity as the city we know today.

Apart from mythology and Mughal history, Lucknow’s name is also surrounded by interesting folk tales. Some believe the word came from “Laksnao”, meaning a land blessed with signs (lakshan) of prosperity. Others say it was derived from “Lakhna Aab”, where aab means water in Persian, referring to the Gomti River that nourished the region. While these stories are less documented, they add a poetic charm to the city’s identity.

What makes the story of Lucknow’s name fascinating is that it reflects the city’s very essence, a blend of myth and history, Indian roots and Persian influence, tradition and evolution. Just like its culture, tehzeeb, and cuisine, the name itself is a fusion of many layers. So whether you believe that Lucknow was founded by Lakshman, reshaped by Persian tongues, or enriched by folk imagination, one thing is certain: the city’s name carries centuries of heritage within it.

Lucknow is more than just a name on the map, t’s a story of how mythology, history, and culture blend together to shape identity. From Lakshmanpuri to Lakhnao, and finally to

, the journey of its name mirrors the journey of the city itself: evolving, adapting, and yet holding on to its roots.

Next time you walk through the lanes of Chowk or stand on the banks of the Gomti, remember- this city isn’t just called Lucknow by chance. Its name is a living heritage, passed down through stories that refuse to fade.