Lucknow, 1722 to 1856 – A city of art, poetry, and resilience, built by Nawabs and ruled by culture.

In the heart of North India, a dynasty rose under the Mughal Empire's watch, evolving from governors to sovereigns and transforming Awadh into a beacon of elegance and splendor. The Nawabs of Awadh, a line of rulers, flourished from 1722 to 1856, leaving a legacy that has shaped Lucknow's spirit and still resonates today.

Saadat Ali Khan I (1722–1739) was the cornerstone, the first Nawab who laid Awadh’s foundation with his loyalty and vision. Originally from Nishapur, Persia, he established Faizabad and Lucknow as administrative hubs, sparking Awadh’s prosperity in agriculture and trade.

• Founder of the Awadh Dynasty: Appointed as the first Nawab of Awadh by the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah.
• Background: Originally from Nishapur, Persia, he was appointed due to his loyalty and military prowess.
• Administration: He established Lucknow and Faizabad as administrative centers and laid the foundation for a stable governance structure.
• Legacy: He was instrumental in setting the Nawabi culture and helped the region prosper in agriculture and trade.

Safdarjung (1739–1754), his son-in-law and successor, expanded Awadh’s influence and protected it from Maratha incursions, all while making his mark as the Mughal Empire’s Prime Minister. Safdarjung’s Tomb in Delhi stands testament to his grandeur.

• Son-in-law of Saadat Ali Khan I: Appointed after his father-in-law’s death.
• Influence in Delhi: Appointed as the Prime Minister of the Mughal Empire, exerting significant influence in Delhi.
• Military Role: Known for strengthening the military and administrative structure of Awadh, he expanded the region’s influence and defended it against Maratha incursions.
• Legacy: Safdarjung is buried in Safdarjung’s Tomb in Delhi, an architectural landmark that reflects the grandeur of his time.

Shuja-ud-Daula (1754–1775) was a master of alliances, making Awadh a buffer state between the British and Indian powers. Despite his defeat at the Battle of Buxar, he retained Awadh’s cultural autonomy, creating gardens and mosques that enriched Lucknow and Faizabad.

• Son of Safdarjung: Known for his political alliances and military interventions.
• Role in the Battle of Buxar: Allied with the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II and the Nawab of Bengal, Mir Qasim, against the British East India Company but was defeated in 1764.
• Treaty with the British: Post-Battle of Buxar, he signed a treaty that ceded large parts of Awadh to British control, making Awadh a buffer state.
• Cultural Patron: Continued to build infrastructure in Lucknow and Faizabad, including mosques, palaces, and gardens.

Then came Asaf-ud-Daula (1775–1797), the grand architect who moved the capital to Lucknow and commissioned the Bara Imambara, not just as a marvel but a famine relief project. His reign saw the flowering of the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb—a harmony of Hindu and Muslim traditions.

• Cultural Patronage: One of the most renowned Nawabs of Awadh, he moved the capital from Faizabad to Lucknow, turning it into a thriving center for arts and culture.
• Construction of Bara Imambara: Commissioned this architectural marvel as a famine relief project in 1784, providing employment and food to thousands.
• Patron of the Arts: Lucknow flourished under his reign with poets, artists, musicians, and architects, helping establish the city’s unique Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb.
• Legacy: His reign is remembered as a golden age of Awadh’s cultural prosperity.

After a brief, turbulent rule by Wazir Ali Khan (1797)

• Short-Lived Reign: Son of Asaf-ud-Daula, Wazir Ali Khan’s reign lasted only four months due to his alleged unsuitability and political intrigues.
• Deposed by the British: Removed by the British East India Company, who then installed Saadat Ali Khan II as Nawab.

The British installed Saadat Ali Khan II (1798–1814), marking Awadh’s increasing political dependency. His reign, though under British influence, furthered Lucknow’s architectural glory.

• British-Appointed Nawab: He ruled with British support, signing treaties that increased British control over Awadh’s administration and finances.
• Administrative Reforms: Introduced reforms to improve Awadh’s financial situation but was largely under British influence.
• Infrastructure: Built numerous gardens and palaces, further enhancing Lucknow’s cultural landscape.
• Legacy: His reign marked the beginning of Awadh’s political dependency on the British.

Ghazi-ud-Din Haidar (1814–1827) dared to break British chains, declaring Awadh a kingdom. With palaces like the Sheesh Mahal and Chattar Manzil, he championed art, establishing Lucknow as a cultural capital.

• Declared Awadh as a Kingdom: First Nawab to assume the title of "King" after receiving permission from the British, making Awadh an independent monarchy in name.
• Architectural Development: Known for building numerous grand structures, including the Sheesh Mahal and the Chattar Manzil.
• Cultural Patronage: Continued to patronize the arts, adding to Lucknow’s reputation as a cultural center.
• Legacy: He helped Awadh gain a nominal independence and set the stage for the next kings of Awadh.
•  

Yet Nasir-ud-Din Haidar (1827–1837), with his lavish tastes, struggled to maintain his kingdom’s autonomy, leading to further British interference. 

• Known for Extravagance: His rule was marked by a lavish lifestyle and opulent spending, which affected Awadh’s finances.
• British Influence: Increasingly relied on the British for security and governance, leading to greater British interference in Awadh’s administration.
• Legacy: Remembered for his patronage of arts, but his extravagant lifestyle led to political challenges.

His successor, Muhammad Ali Shah (1837–1842), added the Hussainabad Imambara, symbolizing Shia heritage amidst a period of instability.

• Unstable Reign: His rule was marked by political instability, British interference, and financial difficulties.
• Construction of the Hussainabad Imambara: Commissioned this magnificent structure, which became a landmark of Shia culture in Awadh.
• Religious Patronage: Known for supporting Shia religious establishments and practices, which deepened Awadh’s Shia Muslim heritage.

Amjad Ali Shah (1842–1847), a pious ruler known as “Hazrat,” quietly supported Lucknow’s religious institutions before passing the crown to his son, Wajid Ali Shah (1847–1856), the last Nawab. An artist at heart, Wajid Ali Shah elevated Awadh's cultural spirit, promoting Kathak dance and poetry. His reign saw the construction of the Qaiserbagh complex, but in 1856, the British annexed Awadh, ending Nawabi rule and exiling Wajid Ali Shah.

• The Last Nawab of Awadh: Known for his love of arts, especially dance, music, and poetry, he was an artist and poet who wrote under the pseudonym "Akhtar."
• Cultural Contributions: Under his reign, Lucknow flourished culturally; he promoted the Kathak dance and established the Qaiserbagh complex.
• Annexation of Awadh by the British: In 1856, the British annexed Awadh, deeming his rule inefficient, and exiled him to Calcutta. This marked the end of the Nawabi rule and the beginning of Lucknow’s direct British administration.
• Legacy: Remembered as a tragic, romantic figure who loved Awadh and its culture. His exile deeply saddened the people of Lucknow, who saw it as the end of the Nawabi era.

Post-Nawabi Lucknow

With the annexation of Awadh, Lucknow came under British control and eventually became part of British India. The Ganga-Jamuni culture and tehzeeb established by the Nawabs persisted, and Lucknow continued to be a center of poetry, music, and fine arts. The legacy of the Nawabs lives on in the city's architecture, cuisine, and cultural identity, which remain distinctive and celebrated to this day.

Yet, the Nawabi Legacy spirit lives on.

Today, Lucknow breathes Nawabi grace through its music, poetry, cuisine, and architecture. The Nawabs may be gone, but their legacy continues, defining Lucknow as a city of charm, culture, and eternal elegance. The echoes of Awadh’s empire—its harmony, its creativity—endure in every corner of this vibrant city, a testament to a dynasty that shaped an era and a city that lives on in its wake.