A STATES
Achrol in Rajasthan
Adesar (Santalpur)
Agar
Agra Barkhera
Ahmadnagar
Aiyavej
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AJAIGARH
1731: Ajaygarh state founded.
1855-1859: Occupied by British India.
Raja of Ajaigarh
1731-1758: Jagat Raja1758-1765: Pahar Singh1765-1792: Guman Singh
1792-1793: Bakht Singh (1st time)
1793-1802: 'Ali Bahadur
1802-1804: Shamsher Bahadur
1804-1807: Lakshman Dada
1807-1837: Bakht Singh (2nd time)
1837-1849: Madho Singh1849-1853: Mahipat Singh
1853-1855: Bijai Singh
1855-1859: Interregnum
1859-1877: Ranjor Singh
Rulers (title Sawai Maharaja)
1877-1919: Ranjor Singh
1919-1942: Bhopal Singh
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Ajraoda
Akadia
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AKALKOT
History of Akkalkot
"History: The separate history of Akkalkot does not begin until the early part of the eighteenth century. During the sixteenth century it was part of the debatable Sholapur district, which so often proved a cause of war between Bijapur and Ahmadnagar. In the beginning of the seventeenth century it was held by Ahmadnagar. In 1707 after the death of the Emperor Aurangzeb, Shivaji's grandson, Shahu, who had been in confinement since his father Sambhaji's death in 1689 was set free by Aurangzeb's successor Bahadur Shah. On his return to the Deccan, Shahu encamped at Parad, a small village in the Shivri sub-division of Aurangabad. Here he was attacked by Sayaji, the headman of the village, who appears to have been a partisan of Tarabai, the widow of Rajaram, who was struggling with Shahu for the Maratha headship. In the fight Sayaji was defeated and killed. His widow, taking her three little boys, threw herself at Shahu's feet and implored his forgiveness and protection. The kind-hearted Shahu, moved with pity, offered to take care of Ranoji, the eldest of the children. The mother gladly agreed, and received from Shahu the villages of Parad, Shivri and Thana in mokasa inam. Ranoji, who was a good-looking lad of about ten, soon won the favour of Shahu. On the way to Satara, the force was attacked by a band of highwaymen. The nominal command of the detachment employed to disperse this band was given to the boy Ranoji. They promptly dispersed the banditti and in reward for his first success Shahu changed the child's name to Fattehsing. In 1712 Shahu took Fattehsing into his family, and gave him the family surname of Bhosle and the Akkalkot State in hereditary jagir. Among other campaigns, Fattehsing went on an expedition to Kolhapur in 1718, to Bundelkhand in 1730, to Bhaganagar in the Karnatak, and to Trichinapoli in the train of the Pratinidhi and Raghuji Bhosle in 1748. In 1749 on the death of his patron Shahu, Fattehsing retired to Akkalkot where he died in 1760. He had two wives, Ahalya-bai and Gujabai. who both became satis on his death. Fattehsing was succeeded by his nephew Shahaji, son of his brother Babaji Lokhande, patil of Parad, whom five years before his death, with the Peshwa's sanction he had adopted. In 1760 on his death Shahaji was succeeded by his son Fattehsing also called Abasaheb. A dispute between Fattehsing and his brother Tuljaji was settled by the cession to Tuljaji of the village of Kurla in the Khatav sub-division in Satara. On the 3rd of July 1820 the East India Company entered into an agreement with Fattehsing restoring to him the estate which with the rest of the Satara territories had come into the possession of the British Government. In 1822 Fattehsing died and was succeeded by his son Maloji. In 1828 Maloji died and was succeeded by his son Shahaji who was eight years old. During the minority of Shahaji, the Raja of Satara assumed the management of the State. In 1830, certain changes introduced by the Raja in 1829 led to a rising headed by Shankarrao Sardeshmukh of Borgaon. To quell this rising a British force was sent from Sholapur to Akkalkot. It met with severe resistance, and the rebels did not yield till the Resident at Satara offered an amnesty. Inquiry showed that the people had received much provocation from the Raja of Satara and a British officer, Captain Jameson, was appointed regent of the state during Shahaji's minority. In 1849, on the annexation of Satara, the chief of Akkalkot became a feudatory of the British Government. In 1857 Shahaji died and was succeeded by his son Maloji. In 1866 Maloji was deposed for misrule and died in 1870. Maloji left an infant son Shahaji who was born in 1867. All the earlier and subsequent rulers of Akkalkot, surnamed Bhosle, were Maratha by caste and ranked as first class sardars of the Deccan. No ruler of the state was entitled to any salute nor did he pay any tribute, but in lieu of the contingent of horse stipulated in the agreement of 1820 paid a commuted yearly allowance to the British Government of Rs. 14,592. Since 1866 the State had been under British management. With the integration of States in the Indian Union, Akkalkot became a taluka in the Sholapur district of the State." (The Gazetteers Department)Meherban Shrimant Raja of Akalkot
1708-1760: Fatehsinh I Shivaji
1760-1789: Shahaji I Fatehsinh
1789-1822: Fatehsinh II Shahaji
1822-1823: Maloji I Fatehsinh
1823-1857: Shahaji II Maloji
1857-1870: Maloji II Shahaji
1870-1896: Shahaji III Maloji
1896-1923: Fatehsinhrao III Shahaji
1896-1916: Lakshmi Bai Raje Sahib Bhonsle, Regent
1923-1948: Vijaya Singh Rao
1923-1936: Tara Bai Raje Sahib Bhonsle (1899-1942), Regent
References
Akalkot in Genealogical Gleanings
Akalkot in Royal Ark
Akalkot in World Statesmen
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Alampur (Dewani)
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ALIPURAArea: 85 sq. mi. (1879)Population: 15,000 (1879)Brief History1757: Alipura State founded1808: Named AlipuraRuler's Title: Rao (1757); Rao Bahadur (1877); Rao Bahadur Raja (1903)Rao of Alipura1757-1790: Achal Singh1790-1835: Pratap Singh1835-1840: Pancham Singh1840-1841: Daulat Singh1841-1871: Hindupat SinghRao Bahadur of Alipura1871-1922: Chhatrapati Singh1922-1934: Harpal Singh, Regent1934: Bhopal Singh1934-1947: Raghuarj Singh
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ALI RAJPUR (Alirajpur)Gun Salute: 9Ruler's Title: Rana
Rana Ali Rajpur
.... - .... Prithi Deo
.... - 1765 Surat Deo
1765 - 1818 Pratap Singh1818 - 1862 Jashwant Singh 1862 - 1871 Gang Deo1871 - 1881 Rup Deo1881 - 1890 Bijai Singh1890 - 1891 Interregnum1891 - 1911 Pratap SinghRaja of Ali Rajpur1911 - 19.. Pratap Singh19.. - 1941 Fateh Singh1941 - 1947 Surendra Singh
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Alwa
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ALWAR
Rao Raja of Alwar
1775 - 1791 Pratap Singh (1740 - 1791) (personally styled Maharao Rana Shri Sawai)1791 - 1815 Bakhtawar Singh (1779 - 1815)
1815 - 1832 Banni Singh (1806 - 1857)
- jointly with following -1815 - 1826 Balvant Singh (d. 1845)
Maharao Raja of Alwar1832 - 1857 Banni Singh (s.a.)1857 - 1874 Shivdan Singh (installed 1867) (1845 - 1874)
1857 - 1863 .... -Regent1874 - 1889 Mangal Singh (1859 - 1892)
Maharaja of Alwar (title Raj Rishi Shri Sawai Maharaja)
1889 - 1892 Mangal Singh (s.a.)
1892 - 1933 Jai Singh (1882 - 1937)
1892 - 1903 .... -Regent1933 - 1947 Tej Singh (1911 - 2009)
===========================================================================Amala
Amarchanta vassal state
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1883: Thana Devli State, known as Amarnagar, founded.
Darbar Shri Wala of Amarnagar
1883-1922: Laksman Meran
1922-19..: Amra Laskman
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Amb (Tanawal state) Pakistani Frontier state
Amber
Ambliara in Bombay
Amethi in Uttar Pradesh
Amod
Amrapur (Dhrafa Thana)
Amrapur (Pandu Mewas)
Amrapur in Kathiawar
Amrapur in Rewa Kantha
Anandpur (Chotila Thana)
Anandpur (Khacher Desa Bhoj)
Anandpur (Khacher Dada and Nana Jiwa)
Anegundi Zamindari
Anghad
Angre
===========================================================================ANGUL1848: Annexed to British India.
Rajas of Angul
.... - ....: Dhanujjaya Singh Jagadeo
.... - ....: Nityananda Singh Jagadeo
1803 : Krishna Chandra Singh Jagadeo
1803 - 1806: Achala Man Singh Jagadeo
1806 - 1809: Jarawar Singh
1809 : Jaya Singh
1809 - 1813: Prithvi Singh
1814 - 1848: Somanath Singh
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Ankevalia
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ARCOT
"There were in all 13 Nawabs and the last Nawab regarded as a titular sovereign was Nawab Ghulam Muhammed Ghous Khan (1824-1855 A.D. born 1824, died 7th October 1855.) In his time Arcot was annexed and it became a princely state."Arcot became a dependency of the British in its early years. By the treaty of 1801 with the British "the whole of civil and military government of Arcot was transferred forever to the English East India Company and the Nawab and his heirs were to preserve their title and dignity and to receive one fifth of the net revenues of the Country." When Muhammed Ghauz died without an issue, the East India Government decided to abolish the title of "Nawab". Lord Dalhousie the then Governor General of India stated, since the regular succession up to 1855 was "by grace of over lordship," it was to be terminated in 1855 by the application of the Doctrine of Lapse. In 1867 the claimant to the Nawabs was recognized as the Prince of Arcot and the first noble in the Madras Presidency. The Princes of Arcot who followed Nawab Ghulam Muhammed Ghous Khan were eight in number including the present one."The present Nawab HH Nawab Muhammed Abdul Ali, 8th Prince of Arcot since 1993, was born on 9th August 1951. He was Sherriff of Chennai (then Madras) for two terms, from 1984-1985 and again from 1988-1989. He is recognised by the government as the `First Nobleman` in the Muslim community of South India. He enjoys a place equivalent to that of state cabinet ministers and is officially recognized by the President of India as the Prince of Arcot. He is the founder secretary-general of Harmony India, (founded in 1990) an association to promote communal amity, secularism and National Foundation of Communal Harmony. The Prince is a patron of music, art and literature and his hobbies include photography, gardening and reading books. He married HH Sayeeda Begum and has two sons. Their palace in Arcot the Amir Mahal situated in the heart of Chennai, takes you back to history so old and intricate."
1692 State of Arkat (Arcot) also called, Karnataka (Carnatic)after the region it dominated, founded subordinate to Haydarabad.
1692 - 1750 French protectorate.
1763 Independence recognized under British protectorate.
1801 Arkat is de facto absorbed by the U.K. colonial government.
1855 State extinguished, annexed to British India.
Nawab Subadar of Arcot
1692 - 1703 Zulfikar Ali Khan
1703 - 1710 Daud Khan
1710 - 1732 Muhammad Saadatullah Khan I
1732 - 1740 Dost Ali Khan (d. 1740)
1740 - 1742 Safdar Ali Khan (d. 1742)
1742 - 1744 Muhammad Saadatullah Khan II (d. 1746)
1744 - 1749 Anwaruddin Khan Bahadur (c.1672 - 1749)
1749 - 1795 Muhammad Ali Anwar ud-din Khan (1717 - 1795) Bahadur
1750 - 1752 Husain Dost Khan (in opposition)1795 - 1801 Ghulam Husain Ali Khan Bahadur (1748 - 1801)
1801 - 1819 Abdul Ali Khan Bahadur (1775 - 1819)
1819 - 1825 Muhammad Munawwar Khan Bahadur (1797 - 1825)
1825 - 1855 Ghulam Muhammad Ghaus Khan Bahadur (1824 - 1855)ReferencesLinks with a Royal Past (on the Nawabs of Arcot) in The HinduThe House of Arcot in The HinduPrinces of Arcot
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Arnia
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1228: The Ahom people (Ahom is a dialectal version of Assam) found a state, frequently under Burmese suzerainty.1817-1817: Occupied by Burma.1819-1825: Occupied by Burma.1824-1826: Occupied by Britain.
1826: Burma formally cedes Assam to Britain.
1832-1838: A briefly revived Ahom state in Upper Assam.
Rajas of Assam
1681-1696: Gadadhar Singh
1696-1714: Rudra Singh1714-1744: Siva Singh (Xiba Xingha)1744-1751: Pramatta Singh1751-1769: Rajesvar Singh1769-1780: Sunyeopha Lakshmi Singh1780-1792: Suhitpangpha Gaurinathasimha Juvaraja (1st time)1792-1793: Baratha Singh Mahamari (1st time)1793-1796: : Sarvananda Singh1796: Baratha Singh Mahamari (2nd time)1796-1808: Suhitpangpha Gaurinathasimha Juvaraja (2nd time)1808-1809: Suklingpha Kamaleshvarasimha1810-1818: Sudinpha Chandrakantasimha Narendra (1st time)1818-1819: Purendrasimha Narendra (1st time)1819-1821: Sudinpha Chandrakantasimha Narendra (2nd time)1821-1822: Yogeshvarasimha (1st time)1822-1822: Sudinpha Chandrakantasimha Narendra (3rd time)1822-1825: Mingyi Maha Thilawa -Burmese official
1822-1826: Yogeshvarasimha (2nd time)1832-1838: Purendrasimha Narendra (2nd time)
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ATHGARH
13.. Athgarh state founded.
Rajas of Athgarh1681 - 1709 Karan Narayana Bawarta Patnaik1709 - 1741 Karan Rama Krishna Bawarta Patnaik1741 - 1771 Karan Debia Singh Bawarta Patnaik1771 - 1821 Karan Gopinath Bawarta Patnaik1821 - 1825 Karan Krishna Chandra Bawarta Patnaik1825 - 1837 Karan Rama Chandra Bawarta 1837 - 1862 Karan Bhubaneswar Bawarta Patnaik1862 - 1868 Karan Jagunath Bawarta Patnaik1868 - 1893 Karan Bhagirathi Bawarta Patnaik 1893 - 1896 Karan Raghunath Bawarta Patnaik1896 - 1918 Karan Vishvanath Bawarta Patnaik1918 - 1947 Karan Radhanath Bawarta Patnaik
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Athmalik (Athmallik)
1874: Athmallik estate (jagir) is recognized as a state.
Rajas of Athmalik1874 - 1877 Jogendra Samant1877 - 1902 Narendra Deo Samant (from 1890, personally styled Maharaja)1902 - 1918 Bibhudendra Deo Samant1918 - 1947 Kishor Chandra Deo Samant1918 - 1925 Cobden Ramsay -Regent
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Aundh
Area: 447 square miles
Population: 58,916 (1681)
Gross Revenue of £39,960 (Rs. 3,99,600) (1883)History. "The family of the Pant Pratinidhi is descended from Trimbak Krishna, the accountant of the village of Kinhai in the Koregaon sub-division of Satara. In 1690, Rajaram, the youngest son of Shivaji, raised Trimbak's son, Parashuram Pant, who was in the service of Ramchandra Pant Amatya, to the rank of sardar. He became a great favourite of Rajaram's, and in 1698 was made pratinidhi or viceroy. In 1699, his predecessor Timaji Hanmant, who had been taken prisoner by the Moghals, was set free and re-appointed Pratinidhi, and Parashuram Pant received the office of Peshwa or prime minister. In 1700, on the death of Rajaram, his widow Tarabai again appointed Parashuram Pratinidhi. In the civil war which followed the death of Rajaram, Parashuram was Tarabai's chief general, and in 1707 was defeated and taken prisoner by Shahu the grandson of Shivaji. Parashuram lost his appointment, and in 1710 the office of Pratinidhi was given to Gadadhar Pralhad. On Gadadhar's death in the same year, Parashuram was set free and restored, but in 1711 the office was again taken from him and given to Narayan Pralhad. In 1713 Parashuram Pant was again restored and the office of Pratinidhi was made hereditary in his family. In 1717 on his death Parashuram was succeeded by his second son Shrinivas, as his eldest son Krishnaji was Pratinidhi of Vishalgad in the Kolhapur state. Shrinivas also called Shripatrav was during all his lifetime Shahu's chief adviser. In 1746 he died without male issue and was succeeded by his younger brother Jagjivan, commonly called Dadoba, whom Shahu appointed to his brother's post of chief minister. In 1750, when, on the death of Shahu, the Peshwa became supreme, Dadoba was deposed and in 1751 was succeeded by Shrinivas Gangadhar, also called Bhavanrav and grandson of Dadoba's elder brother Krishnaji Parashuram. In 1752, Dadoba was restored to the office, with Shrinivas as his assistant. On Dadoba's death without issue, the office was given to Shrinivas. In 1762, Raghunathrav deposed Shrinivas and gave the office to his own son Bhaskarrav. Bhaskarrav died four months after getting the office which was then given to Naro Shankar. In 1763 Shrini vas also called Bhavanrav intrigued with the Nizam and Raghoji Bhonsla of Nagpur and was restored. In 1765 he was again deposed by the Peshwa for disobedience, and his office was given to his cousin Bhagvantrav Trimbak. Bhavanrav then went to Poona where he lived for about four years, receiving £5000 (Rs. 50,000) a year from the Peshwa. In 1768, Bhavanrav was given a saranjam or military grant of the yearly value of £50,000 (Rs. 5 lakhs). He waged constant war with the Pratinidhi Bhagvantrav till Bhagvantrav died in 1775. In, 1777 Bhavanrav died and was succeeded by his son Parashuram. Parashuram was born the day after his father's death, and was at once installed as Pratinidhi by Nana Fadnavis, who was a great friend of his father. In 1795 at the age of eighteen Parashuram Pant took charge of his estate or jagir. He is said to have had great valour. He died in 1848 and was succeeded by the present chief Shrinivasrav, who had been adopted in 1847 with the permission of the British Government and the late Raja of Satara. A nazarana or succession fee was paid at the time of adoption. During the government of Sir Bartle Frere (1862-1867) Shrinivasrav was a member of the Legislative Council of Bombay. The Pratinidhi is a Brahman by caste and ranks as first class sardar. He lives at Aundh, an isolated village in the Khatav sub-division. He pays no tribute to Government."
Pant Pratinidhi of Aundh1697 - 1718 Parusharam Trimbak1718 - 1746 Shrinivasrao Parashuram1746 - 1754 Jagjivanrao Parashuram1754 - 1776 Shrinivasrao Gangadhar1776 - 1777 Bhavanrao1777 - 1848 Parashuramrao Shrinivas1848 - 1901 Shrinivasrao Parashuram1901 - 1905 Parashuramrao Shrinivas1905 - 1909 Gopalkrishnarao Parashuram
1909 - 1947 Bhavanrao Shrinivas
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Avchar
===========================================================================AVUKU1481 Avuku state1804 Annexed to Haydarabad.
Rulers
1691 - 1735 Pedda Kumara Raghava1735 - 1737 Appa Naransinha1737 - 1739 Shellama1739 - 1743 Narasinha II1743 - 1751 Kishama1751 - 1759 Olajapati II1759 - 1767 Kumara Raghava1767 - 1771 Venkata Narasinha1771 - 1785 Narayana===========================================================================
AWADH (OUDH)
Brief History
1732: A senior official of the Mughal Empire establishes a hereditary polity (under Mughal sovereignty) in Awadh (Oudh).
1816: British protectorate.
1819: The ruler takes the style of padshah (king), signaling formal independence.
1856: King deposed and Awadh incorporated into British India.
1857-1858: Brief rebellion by son of deposed king.
Ruler's Title: Subadar Nawab (1732); Nawab Wazir al-Mamalik (1748); Subadar Nawab (1753); Nawab Wazir al-Mamalik (1762); Padshah-e Awadh, Shah-e Zaman or King (1818)
Rulers of Awadh
1732-1739: Borhan al-Molk Mir Mohammad Amin Musawi Sa`adat `Ali Khan I (c1680-1739). "The founder of the Awadh dynasty was a Persian nobleman named Mohammad Amin, who came to India in 1705 A.D. and soon won the favour of the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. He was appointed the Governor of Awadh in 1722 A.D. The Sheikhs of Lucknow were subdued by the new governor. He had to struggle hard to carve his state. He fought many battles to subdue the unruly elements. He was a benevolent ruler. He resided at Faizabad and Lucknow both. He spent most of his time in the consolidation of Awadh than any other governor." (Saxena)
1739-1754: Abu´l Mansur Mohammad Moqim Khan (c1708-1754). "Nawab Abul Mansur Khan Safdar Jang, who succeeded his uncle Nawab Saadat Khan, had acted as deputy (Naib) in the province of Awadh during the reign of Saadat Khan. He had to stay at Delhi for sometime on the order of the Mughal emperor. During this period Awadh was ruled by his deputy Raja Newai Raj. He died in Delhi and was buried there." (Saxena)
1754-1775: Jalal ad-Din Shoja` ad-Dowla Haydar (1732-1775). "Mirza Jalal-ud-din Haidar, i.e. Shuja-ud-daula, was the only son and successor of Nawab Safdar Jang. He was a man of great courage and promise and a statesman of no mean ability. He took keen interest in the contemporary politics of the country. Ali Gauhar, the Mughal crown prince, took shelter with him and the Nawab Wazir later crowned him as the emperor of India. Shuja-ud-daula was also made the Wazir of the Empire. He took part in the battle of Buxar in A.D. 1764 which sealed off the fate of Shuja-ud-daula and of the Mughal Emperor. Later he extended the boundaries of the Awadh empire. He died at Faizabad and was buried in a beautiful mausoleum better known as Gulab-bari." (Saxena)
1775-1797: Asaf ad-Dowla Amani (1748-1797)
1797-1798: Mirza Wazir `Ali Khan (1780-1817)
1798-1814: Yamin ad-Dowla Nazem al-Molk Sa`adat `Ali Khan II Bahadur (bf.1752-1814). "Saadat Ali Khan, half brother of Asaf-ud-daula replaced Wazir Ali. He is considered to be the best ruler Awadh ever had. The sixteen years of his reign were marked by ability and sagacity. The result of his good administration was that people became contented and prosperous. Most of the buildings between the Kaiserbagh and Dilkusha were constructed by him." (Saxena)
1814-1827: Ghazi ad-Din Mo`izz ad-Din Abu´l-Mozaffar Haydar Shah. "Saadat Ali Khan was succeeded by his 'do-nothing and see-nothing' son, Ghazi-ud-din Hyder. He was the last Nawab-Wazir of Awadh. He received the title of 'King' from the Marquis of Hastings in A.D. 1819. The Chief feature of his reign was that Awadh was formed into a distinct territory. He constructed the famous Chuttar Manzil and Moti Mahal. Qadam Rasul and the Shah Najaf in which he was buried." (Saxena)
1827-1837: Naser ad-Din Haydar Solayman Jah Shah (1803-1837). "King Nasir-ud-din Haider succeeded King Ghazi-ud-din Haider. His reign was uneventful. He spent his days in pitiless pursuits of pleasure. In his time all decency, all propriety banished from the court." (Saxena)
1837-1842: Mo`in ad-Din Abu´l-Fath Mohammad `Ali Shah (1777-1842). "King Nasir-ud-din was succeeded by Muhammad Ali Shah. He was the patron of architecture, he constructed the famous Husainabad Imambara (Chotta Imambara), in which he lies buried. Many other buildings were also erected by him." (Saxena)
1842-1847: Naser ad-Dowla Amjad `Ali Thorayya Jah Shah (1801-1847). "Muhammad Ali Shah was succeeded by his son Amjad Ali Shah. He constructed the road from Lucknow to Kanpur. He also built Hazratganj, where he erected a mausoleum for himself. At Lucknow Amjad Ali Shah had established a college in the premises of Imambara of Asaf-ud-Daula at a monthly cost of Rs2600/- for teaching the tenets of Shia faith." (Saxena)
1847-1856: Naser ad-Din `Abd al-Mansur Mohammad Wajed `Ali Shah (1822-1887). "Born on 30th July, 1822 A.D. Wajid Ali Shah ascended the throne on February 13th, 1847 A.D. at the age of 26. He was the son of king Amjad Ali Shah from Nawab Taj Ara Begum (Malika-I-Kishwar Fakhr-uz-Zamani). By this time Awadh was completely in the hold of Britishers. King could not even appoint or dismiss a servant without prior permission of the East India Company's political Agent, the Resident. Yet in the administration of Justice, king Wajid Ali Shah started a noble idea by placing petition boxes at important public thoroughfares in Lucknow, and His Majesty himself dealt with the daily complaints from the public. He had employed 1700 men of letters and 500 physicians and scientists. During the reign of Wajid Ali Shah the metalled road between Lucknow and Kanpur was constructed. Another road between Lucknow and Faizabad was also ordered to be metalled. King used to spend large amount on the maintenance of Hospitals of Lucknow for the welfare of his subjects." (Saxena)
"Amjad Ali Shah's eldest son, Wajid Ali shah, who was eventually destined to be the last ruler of Awadh, ascended the throne of Awadh in 1847.
"Wajid Ali Shah was a great patron of singers, musicians, dancers and artists. He was also greatly interested in architecture. He started building the Qaiser bagh palace complex as soon as he came to the throne. This vast complex was built between 1848 and 1850 at the cost of 80 lakh rupeesincluding furniture and decoration. One of his favourite wives Nawab Mashuq Mahal used to live in it. Of the large oblong enclosure of elegant and imposing two storied houses, one wing of which was pulled down after the war of 1857, the other still remains. It was in this atmosphere of gaiety and merriment, that the British annexed Awadh on Feb.11, 1856 deposing Wajid Ali Shah." (NIC Lucknow)1857-1858: Berjis Qadr (1845?-1893) "Born in 1845, at his birth his grandfather Amjad Ali Shah had ordered to honour his birth by a salute of the fire of 11 guns. Following the annexation of Awadh in 1856 king Wajid Ali Shah left Lucknow with his sons leaving Prince Birjis Qadr to represent him in the kingdom. He fought the battle of independence along with his mother Begum Hazrat Mahal. By the thundering sound of 21 guns in Lucknow on 5th July 1857 A.D. he was declared as the ruler of Awadh. The imperial recognition of the king by Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah 'Zafar' was again celebrated on August 6, 1857 A.D. by 21 guns salute. But, unfortunately, the battle of independence was lost by them and they (Birjis Qadr and the queen) proceeded to Nepal where in 1879 Begum Hazrat Mahal died. After the death of the Queen he (Birjis Qadr) came to Calcutta where he was treacherously assassinated." (Saxena)
References
Historic City Lucknow
History of Awadh (Oudh)
Nawabs of Awadh in Wikipedia
Nawabs of Oudh and Their Secularism
Oudh in The Imperial Gazetteer of India
Oudh (Awadh) in The Royal Ark
Princely States of India A-J in World Statesmen
The Royal House of Oudh
Scenes of Awadh
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