History of Awadh & How it is connected to Lucknow
Awadh or Oudh was established in 1722 with Faizabad, as its capital. Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula son Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula, the fourth Nawab of Awadh, shifted the capital from Faizabad to Lucknow; this led to the decline of Faizabad and the rise of Lucknow.
Awadh was notably a historic region of northern India, now constituting the north-eastern portion of Uttar Pradesh state; It received its name from the capital Kosala’s Kingdom Ayodhya and became part of the Mughal Empire in the 16th century.
British in 1800 subjugated as part of their Empire. The suba of Awadh became independent in A.D. 1722 when a Persian Shia named Saadat Khan was appointed as the governor of Awadh by Muhammad Shah, the Mughal Emperor. He had helped in the overthrow of the saiyed brothers.
Saadat Khan was deputed by the Nawab to negotiate with Nadir Shah so that he might desist from demolishing the city & return to his nation on payment of a large amount of money.
When Nadir Shah failed to get the promised amount of money, his anger was felt by the population of Delhi. He ordered a general massacre. Saadat Khan committed suicide due to humiliation and shame.
The next Nawab of Awadh was Safdar Jang who was also appointed as wazir of the Mughal Empire. He was succeeded by his son Shujauddaullah. The Awadh ruler organized a powerful army which was composed of Muslims and Hindus, Naga, and Sanyasis as well.
The authority of the Awadh ruler extended up to Rohilkhand, a territory to the east of Delhi. A large number of Afghans from the mountain ranges of the northwest frontier, called the Rohillas, were settled there.
