Nawabs of Awadh — Lucknow's Golden Age

Origin of the Awadh Kingdom

As the Mughal Empire disintegrated after Aurangzeb’s death (1707), ambitious governors carved out independent domains. Sa’adat Khan (Burhan-ul-Mulk) founded the independent kingdom of Awadh in 1722 when he was appointed Subahdar of Awadh by the Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah.

Sa’adat Khan was a Persian Shia noble who established his capital at Faizabad. He reorganized revenue collection, strengthened the military, and made Awadh the most prosperous province in northern India. He died in 1739, reportedly by poison, during Nadir Shah’s invasion.

Exam Tip: Sa’adat Khan is also known by his title “Burhan-ul-Mulk” (Proof of the Nation). He is the founder of the Awadh dynasty — do not confuse him with later Nawabs.

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Key Nawabs of Awadh

Safdarjung (r. 1739-1754)

Sa’adat Khan’s nephew and successor. He served simultaneously as the Mughal wazir (prime minister) in Delhi. His tomb in Delhi (Safdarjung’s Tomb) is the last significant Mughal garden tomb.

Shuja-ud-Daula (r. 1754-1775)

A militarily ambitious Nawab who made a fateful mistake — he allied with the fugitive Mughal emperor Shah Alam II and Mir Qasim of Bengal against the British East India Company. This resulted in the Battle of Buxar (22 October 1764), where the combined Indian forces were decisively defeated.

The Treaty of Allahabad (1765) followed, imposing harsh terms:

Exam Tip: Buxar (1764) is more important than Plassey (1757) for UP history. It brought Awadh directly under British influence through the subsidiary alliance system.

Asaf-ud-Daula (r. 1775-1797)

The Nawab who transformed Lucknow into a world-class city. Asaf-ud-Daula shifted the capital from Faizabad to Lucknow in 1775, and began an ambitious building programme.

His greatest legacy is the Bara Imambara (1784), built during a famine as a relief project employing thousands. It contains the largest hall in the world without external support beams — the central hall spans 50 metres with no pillars, columns, or iron/wooden beams supporting the vaulted roof.

The famous Hindi proverb originates from his generosity: “Jisko na de Maula, usko de Asaf-ud-Daula” (He whom God does not give, Asaf-ud-Daula gives).

Sa’adat Ali Khan (r. 1798-1814)

A British puppet. Under the Treaty of 1801, he ceded half of Awadh’s territory (Rohilkhand, Gorakhpur, and the Doab) to the British in exchange for protection. This treaty marks the effective end of Awadh’s sovereignty.

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Wajid Ali Shah — The Last Nawab

Wajid Ali Shah (r. 1847-1856) was the last Nawab of Awadh and one of the most culturally accomplished rulers in Indian history. He was a master of:

• Kathak dance — He is credited with popularizing the Lucknow gharana of Kathak. He composed dance-dramas (rahas) and performed them himself.
• Thumri music — He composed under the pen name “Akhtar Piya”. His compositions are still performed in Hindustani classical concerts.
• Poetry — Prolific Urdu poet, wrote masnavi and ghazal forms.
• Theatre — Established the Parikhana and organized elaborate dramatic performances.

Annexation (1856)

Governor-General Lord Dalhousie annexed Awadh on 7 February 1856 on grounds of alleged “misgovernance.” Unlike other princely states taken under the Doctrine of Lapse (which required absence of heirs), Awadh was annexed through the charge of maladministration — Wajid Ali Shah had a legitimate heir.

Wajid Ali Shah was exiled to Matiaburj, Calcutta, where he lived until his death in 1887. The annexation of Awadh created deep resentment and became a major cause of the 1857 Revolt.

Exam Tip: Awadh was NOT annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse. It was annexed on grounds of misgovernance. This distinction is frequently tested.

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Lucknow’s Cultural Golden Age

The Nawabi period (1775-1856) made Lucknow synonymous with refinement, etiquette (tehzeeb), and artistic excellence. This period is often called the “Golden Age of Lucknow.”

Architecture

The Bhulbhulaiya (labyrinth) on the upper floor of the Bara Imambara is a maze of 489 identical doorways — a major tourist attraction to this day.

Cuisine

Lucknow’s culinary traditions were perfected under the Nawabs:

• Lucknowi Biryani (Pukki Biryani) — rice and meat cooked separately, then layered and sealed (dum)
• Galouti Kebab — said to be invented for a toothless Nawab; melt-in-mouth texture
• Tunday Kebab — created by a one-armed cook (tunda) in the 19th century
• Sheermal & Kulcha — Nawabi breads enriched with saffron and milk
• Makhan Malai — winter delicacy, frothy milk dessert

Language & Literature

The Nawabi court was the crucible of Urdu literary culture. Lucknow rivalled Delhi as a centre of Urdu poetry. The annual mushaira (poetry gathering) tradition flourished. Prominent poets included Mir Anis, Dabeer (marsiya composers), and later Nasikh and Atish.

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Awadh as a British Tributary State

The relationship between Awadh and the British evolved through a series of treaties that progressively stripped the Nawabs of real power:

The subsidiary alliance meant Awadh paid for British troops stationed in the kingdom but had no control over them. This drained the treasury while making the Nawab militarily dependent on the Company.

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Key Takeaways

• Sa’adat Khan founded Awadh (1722); the dynasty was Shia and originally based at Faizabad
• Battle of Buxar (1764) brought Awadh under British influence via the Treaty of Allahabad
• Asaf-ud-Daula moved capital to Lucknow (1775) and built Bara Imambara (1784)
• Wajid Ali Shah was the last Nawab — a great patron of Kathak, Thumri, and Urdu poetry
• Awadh was annexed in 1856 on grounds of misgovernance (NOT Doctrine of Lapse)
• Lucknow’s cuisine, architecture, and literary traditions trace directly to the Nawabi era

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Summary Cheat Sheet