Engaging scoundrels

"Old Lucknow was a place of pleasure, of beautiful gardens, extraordinary buildings, menageries maintained by the nawabs, music and dancing, exquisite food, fireworks and lavish parties, and a good share of rogues and villains. The wealthy nawabs were only part of the glittering scene that simultaneously enchanted and shocked visitors, not to mention the inhabitants. This book attempts to explore the more curious byways that lead off the main streets, to undiscovered corners of the city's past." "Using records not used before and information provided by the descendants of those who lived in…