Wajid Ali Shah was the last Nawab of Awadh, who held the throne from 1847 to 1856. His rule came when the British were spreading their rule in India. Awadh was a prosperous state famous for its luxurious lifestyle and artists, so it started to fall in the eyes of the British.
Although there was commotion everywhere, Wajid Ali Shah was very fond of art. He himself was a poet, dramatist and connoisseur of music. His court used to gather artists and writers. He is particularly known for promoting thumri, a form of Hindustani classical music. But, the British felt that his love of art was his weakness. Later, the British removed him from the throne of the king on this pretext.
In 1856, the British annexed Awadh to their kingdom, accusing Wajid Ali Shah of failing to govern well. He was exiled to Calcutta, where he spent the rest of his life on a good pension. Even in Jalawatani, Wajid Ali Shah remained a sympathizer of art and left behind a magnificent cultural legacy.
Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was the last ruler of the Kingdom of Awadh (Oudh) in India. He ruled from 1847 until 1856 when the British East India Company annexed Awadh, citing misgovernance. Here are some key points about his history:
1. **Early Life and Ascension to the Throne**:
- Wajid Ali Shah was born on July 30, 1822, in Lucknow, the capital of Awadh.
- He was the tenth and eldest surviving son of Nawab Amjad Ali Shah.
- He ascended to the throne in 1847 after his father's death.
2. **Cultural Contributions**:
- Wajid Ali Shah was a great patron of the arts, particularly known for his contributions to music, dance, and poetry.
- He was a composer of thumris (a type of light classical Indian music) and was also credited with promoting the Kathak dance form.
- His court was a vibrant cultural center, attracting artists, poets, and musicians.
3. **Rule and Administration**:
- His reign was marked by accusations of misrule and administrative inefficiency by the British.
- Despite his patronage of the arts, his administrative capabilities were often criticized, which gave the British East India Company a pretext to annex Awadh.
4. **Annexation and Exile**:
- In 1856, under the Doctrine of Lapse and citing misgovernance, the British annexed Awadh and Wajid Ali Shah was deposed.
- He was exiled to Garden Reach in Calcutta (now Kolkata), where he lived for the rest of his life.
5. **Life in Exile**:
- In Calcutta, Wajid Ali Shah continued to patronize the arts and maintain a courtly culture.
- He wrote extensively, producing a significant body of poetry, plays, and other literary works.
6. **Legacy**:
- Wajid Ali Shah is remembered for his cultural legacy and contributions to the arts.
- His life and the annexation of Awadh played a significant role in the backdrop of the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
- He died in exile on September 21, 1887.
Wajid Ali Shah's life and reign reflect a complex interplay of cultural patronage and political turmoil during a critical period in Indian history.
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