Difference Between Kanpur and Lucknow

Kanpur vs Lucknow

Lucknow is the capital city of the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, while Kanpur is a large industrial city adjacent to Lucknow. Lucknow is the seat of administration and is called a city of the bureaucrats, whereas Kanpur is an industrial city famous for its leather products that are exported in different parts of the world. Though Lucknow is more famous of the two and tourists also prefer Lucknow over Kanpur, there is much to see in Kanpur as well. The two cities are located just 80km apart that is well connected through the national highway number 25. Despite being so close to each other, both cities have much dissimilarity, and have their own distinct features. Lucknow is situated along the banks of Gomti River, which is a tributary of Ganga River. On the other hand, Kanpur is situated along the banks of Ganga River.

Lucknow has been an important city in Northern India since the time of the Mughals and even British acknowledged its significance by making it the capital of the United Provinces. It has always been known as cultural capital of India (city of nawabs), where visual and performing arts flourished and reached out to other parts of the country. Lucknow is famous for two reasons, its Dussehri Mango and world famous chikan art. While chikankari is an art that has its lovers in all parts of the world today, the mango belt, a place just 25km from Lucknow, Malihabad, is known as the mango capital of the world. Lucknow has many monuments like Bada and Chhota Imambara that are visited by tourists from all parts of the country. Lucknow is known for its Lakhnavi tehjeeb (courtesy) and its famous Awadhi cuisine that is inspired by Mughlai cuisine. Of all places, muslim culture reached its peak in Lucknow and its impact can be seen in traditions and customs of the city apart from the dress sense of the people of the city which is appreciated by outsiders.

Lucknow, being the capital of the large state of Uttar Pradesh, has been an administrative city all along. It has developed beyond recognition in the last 20 years and with mall culture having invaded the city, the youth can be seen hanging out in various malls around the city. Lucknow has a large population that is mostly Hindu though Muslims are around 30% of the population.

Lucknow boasts of only the 2nd DNA bank in the world. It has many important institutes and of course the state legislature buildings.

Kanpur has all along been an industrial city, and was once known for its textile mills that died a natural death because of little governmental support. Today it has progressed to become the 10th most industrialized city in the country and a lot of the credit goes to its tanneries that produce world class leather products, mostly jackets that are supplied worldwide. Kanpur has the honor of having IIT Kanpur, a world class engineering institute. Kanpur is the most populated city in northern India and is also the 2nd most industrialized city in northern India after of course New Delhi.