Asaf-Ud-Dowlah
Asaf-ud-Daula became nawab at the age of 26, on the death of his father, Shuja-ud-Daula, on 28 January 1775. He assumed the throne with the aid of the British East India Company, outmaneuvering his younger brother Saadat Ali who led a failed mutiny in the army. British Colonel John Parker defeated the mutineers decisively, securing Asaf-ud-Daula's succession. His first chief minister was Mukhtar-ud-Daula who was assassinated in the revolt.
“He has been painted several times by well-renowned Painter Johann Zoffany”
The other challenge to Asaf's rule was his mother Umat-ul-Zohra (better known as Bahu Begum), who had amassed considerable control over the treasury and her jagirs and private armed forces. She, at one point, sought the Company's direct assistance in the appointment of anti-Asaf ministers. According to a history study, when Shuja-ud-Daula died he left around two million pounds sterling buried in the vaults of the zenana. The widow and mother of the deceased prince claimed the whole of this treasure under the terms of a will that was never produced. When Warren Hastings pressed the nawab for the payment of the debt due to the Company, he obtained from his mother a loan of 26 lakh (2.6 million) rupees, for which he gave her a jagir (land) of four times the value; of subsequently obtained 30 lakh (3 million) more in return for a full acquittal, and the recognition of her jagirs without interference for life by the Company. These jagirs were afterward confiscated on the ground of the begum's complicity in the rising of Chait Singh, which was attested by documentary evidence.[2] Ultimately this removed Umat-ul-Zohra as an obstacle to Asaf's reign.
In the aftermath of Saadat's revolt, Asaf sought to restructure the government particularly by appointing nobles favorable to his cause and British officers to his military. Asaf appointed Hasan Riza Khan as his chief minister. Although he had little experience in administration, his assistant Haydar Beg Khan turned out to be a valuable support. Ticket Ray was appointed finance minister.
Asaf was known for his generosity, particularly the offering of food and public employment in times of famine. Notably, the Bara Imambara, a mosque in Lucknow, was constructed during his reign by destitute workers seeking employment. A popular saying of the time of his benevolence: jisko na de maulā, usko de Asaf-ud-daulā "to whom even God does not give, Asaf-ud-Daula gives."
Lucknow Relocation History
In 1775 he decided to shift the capital of Awadh from Faizabad to Lucknow and built various monuments in and around Lucknow, including the Bara Imambara.
Role in Rising Of Shia Culture
Asaf ud Daula is considered one of the prime bridging reasons for interacting the Shia culture into Lucknow. After Shia Immigrants from Iran-Iraq migrated to Lucknow, the royal reputation of Asaf became increasing over the Lucknow; which later benefited the City-Of-Nawab a recognizable status in the whole observation of the nation during the time.
Contributions to Lucknow
- Asfi mosque, named after the Nawab, Asaf-ud-Daula.
- Bara Imambara (Asafi Imambara), built-in 1784
- Rumi Darwaza (1784)
Death
He died on 21 September 1797 in Lucknow and is buried at Bara Imambara, Lucknow.
