In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the northern Indian city of Lucknow was famous for its beautiful gardens, extraordinary buildings, menageries, music and dancing, exquisite food, and lavish parties. The wealthy nawabs were only part of a glittering scene that enchanted and shocked both visitors and inhabitants. Here, Rosie Llewellyn-Jones examines some of the more curious byways of this city's past, including the true story of the notorious 'Barber of Lucknow' and the sad history of the European graveyards. Filled with stories and featuring many recently rediscovered illustrations, the book will appeal to general readers and historians of the period.