In this guide
In 1784, a terrible famine struck Awadh. The Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula began building a vast hall in Lucknow — the Bara Imambara — as a relief work, so that people could earn their bread with dignity. A popular saying grew from it: "Jisko na de Maula, usko de Asaf-ud-Daula" — "Whom God does not provide for, Asaf-ud-Daula does." The story sums up the image of Awadh's nawabs: generous patrons of building, poetry, music and food, presiding over a rich culture even as their political power drained away to the East India Company.
The rise of Awadh
| Nawab | Period | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Saadat Khan (Burhan-ul-Mulk) | 1722–1739 | Appointed governor (subedar) of Awadh by the Mughals; founder of the dynasty |
| Safdar Jung | 1739–1754 | Also Mughal wazir; his tomb is in Delhi |
| Shuja-ud-Daula | 1754–1775 | Fought at Buxar (1764) against the Company; after defeat, the Treaty of Allahabad (1765) restored Awadh on payment of an indemnity; capital at Faizabad |
| Asaf-ud-Daula | 1775–1797 | Moved the capital to Lucknow (1775); built the Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza |
| Saadat Ali Khan | 1798–1814 | Signed the subsidiary alliance treaty (1801), ceding half of Awadh's territory to the Company |
| Ghazi-ud-din Haidar | 1814–1827 | Declared himself king (1819), with British encouragement, breaking formal ties with the Mughal emperor |
| Muhammad Ali Shah | 1837–1842 | Built the Chhota Imambara (Hussainabad) |
| Wajid Ali Shah | 1847–1856 | Poet, musician, patron of the arts; deposed when Awadh was annexed |
The Company's tightening grip
- Buxar (1764) and the Treaty of Allahabad (1765) made Awadh a buffer state dependent on the Company.
- Awadh paid for Company troops stationed in its territory.
- The subsidiary alliance of 1801 took away half its territory (the "ceded districts" — Rohilkhand and the lower Doab).
- Awadh's finances were drained; administration weakened.
The annexation of 1856
- In February 1856, Governor-General Lord Dalhousie annexed Awadh on the grounds of misgovernment (not under the Doctrine of Lapse, since there was a ruling king with heirs).
- Wajid Ali Shah was exiled to Metiabruz (Calcutta), where he recreated a miniature Lucknow and continued his patronage of music and dance.
Why the annexation mattered for 1857
- Many sepoys of the Bengal Army were from Awadh and felt the humiliation of their king's removal.
- Taluqdars (landholders) lost estates under the new revenue settlement.
- Court servants, artisans and musicians lost patronage.
- In 1857, Lucknow became a major centre of the revolt, led by Begum Hazrat Mahal (see our guide on 1857 in UP).
Lucknow's monuments
| Monument | Builder / date | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Bara Imambara | Asaf-ud-Daula (1784) | Vast vaulted hall without supporting beams; the Bhul-Bhulaiya labyrinth; built as famine relief |
| Rumi Darwaza | Asaf-ud-Daula | Monumental gateway |
| Chhota Imambara | Muhammad Ali Shah (1838) | Ornate, with chandeliers |
| Residency | Late eighteenth century | British Resident's complex; besieged in 1857; ruins preserved |
| Qaiserbagh | Wajid Ali Shah | Palace complex |
Awadh culture
| Field | Features |
|---|---|
| Music | Patronage of thumri, dadra, ghazal; Wajid Ali Shah himself composed thumris |
| Dance | Kathak's Lucknow gharana, known for grace and expressive abhinaya (see our guide on music and dance) |
| Poetry | Urdu poets such as Mir Taqi Mir (who moved to Lucknow), Insha, Atish, Nasikh; the marsiya tradition (Anis, Dabir) |
| Crafts | Chikankari embroidery; zardozi |
| Food | Dum pukht cooking, kebabs, biryani — Awadhi cuisine |
| Etiquette | The famed tehzeeb (refinement) of Lucknow — "pehle aap" |
| Composite culture | Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb — shared festivals and traditions across communities |
Practice
Prelims-style:
- Who founded the Awadh dynasty?
- Which Nawab moved the capital from Faizabad to Lucknow?
- Why was the Bara Imambara built?
- On what grounds was Awadh annexed in 1856?
- Where was Wajid Ali Shah exiled?
Mains-style:
- "The annexation of Awadh was a major cause of the revolt of 1857." Discuss.
- Examine the contribution of the Nawabs of Awadh to Indian culture.
A note on dates and numbers. Exam patterns, vacancies and schedules change from year to year. Always confirm the current details in the latest notification on the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission website .
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