Nawab Wajid Ali Shah

Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was the last ruler of the princely state of Awadh (Oudh) in India, reigning from 1847 to 1856. Known for his patronage of the arts, music, and culture, he was an eloquent poet and a lover of entertainment. His rule was marked by grandeur and cultural richness, but also by financial difficulties and administrative challenges. The British East India Company, concerned about his perceived mismanagement and excessive spending, deposed him in 1856 during the buildup to the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Wajid Ali Shah's legacy is intertwined with the cultural splendor of Lucknow and the history of colonial India.