Lucknow, once one of the foremost cities in India was renowned for with its grand Nawabs who loved the arts and architecture and developed a refined court cuisine. For the British, it is more commonly associated with the starting point of the Indian Uprising in 1857. Today it is the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh, one of the most populous in India. Although the era of the Nawabs is long past, many of their fine monuments remain including Bara Imambara and Chota Imambara whose unusual design and decor should not be missed. The Residency, scene of the uprising where 2,000 British residents and Indian loyal to the Raj died appears largely untouched since the fateful event with ruined, charred walls. The bazaars in Lucknow are particularly good and provide a snapshot of day-to-day life for the city's residents.