year falls naturally into three seasons—the rainy, from the middle of June to beginning of October; the cold weather, from October to March, and the hot season from April to June. During this season hot winds blow and dust storms are prevalent. The winter rains fall generally towards the end of December and in January, and heavy night dews are very common. The mean temperature is 77.5°F. in the shade. It ranges from 44° in January, the coldest month, to 111° in June, the hottest month. The heat proves most oppressive in the rainy season.
The average annual rain-fall is 89.37 inches.
Oudh, once a Hindu kingdom, became, under the Mogal dynasty, a Muhammadan Nawabship, then a Nawab-viziership, then, under British protection, a Muhammadan kingdom, and lastly an Anglo-Indian Province.
Lucknow, the capital of Oudh, is situated mainly on the right bank of the Gumti,[1] which is navigable for many miles above the town, and, downwards, through its Whole course to its confluence with the Ganges between Benares and Ghazipore. It is spread over an area of 36 square miles, and, in population,[2] Lucknow ranks next
- ↑ Gumti means winding or meandering. This river takes its rise in the Pilibhit District of the N.-W. Provinces, in an alluvial tract between the Gurrah and the Ghagra rivers. Its source is in a small lake or morass called the Phaljar Ta1, 19 miles east of Pilibhit town, and about 605 feet above sea level. From thence the river flows in a southeastern direction for 42 miles, when it enters Oudh, in the Kheri District, in latitude 28°11'N., longitude 80°20'E. Continuing in a south-easterly course for 94 miles further, it receives the Kathna as a tributary, on its left bank, and then the Sarayan. After thus meandering for 174 miles from its source it reaches Lucknow. At about 52 miles south-east of Sultanpur, the river re-enters the N.-W. Provinces, in the Jaunpur District, where it is spanned by a bridge of 16 arches. It receives the Sai river, on its left bank, 18 miles below Jaunpur, and the Nund river, also on the left bank, 33 miles lower down, in the Benares District. It empties itself into the Ganges, 5 miles below this point, in latitude 25°31'N., longitude 83°31'E., after a total course of about 500 miles. The Gumti is navigable by boats of 500 maunds or about 18 tons burthen, throughout the year, as far as Dilawarpur Ghat, near Muhumdi, in the Kheri District.
- ↑ The Census of 1891 returned the total population of Lucknow city as 2,44,393 and Cantonments as 23,517. The European element is unusually large. The Hindus number three-fifths of the population. Many pensioners of the British Government and of the King of Oudh reside in the city. The Lucknow Mussalmans are chiefly Shias, that being the recognised orthodox sect under the Nawabs.
The distinctive characteristics of Muhammadans and Hindus are religiously kept up. One of them is in the fastening of the outer garment. On meeting either party, though the dress is much the same, you at once distinguish the Muhammadan from the Hindu by the universal fact that the latter has his tunic (mirzie or chapkan) made to button on the right side while the Muhammadan hooks his on the left.
