Awadh

Awadh, also known as Oudh, is a historic region in the north-central part of present-day Uttar Pradesh, India. It centers on Lucknow and extends into areas around Ayodhya (Faizabad) and the Ganga-Yamuna plains, and is defined by its rulers and cultural traditions, including the Awadhi language and Urdu-speaking communities.

Awadh became a semi-autonomous domain within the Mughal Empire in the 18th century. Nawab Saadat Ali Khan was installed as governor in 1722, and his successors—Safdar Jang, Shuja-ud-Daula, and Asaf-ud-Daula—developed the state and built landmarks such as Bara Imambara and Chota Imambara in Lucknow, reinforcing its status as a cultural center.

In 1856 the British annexed Awadh as the province of Oudh under the Doctrine of Lapse, and the Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was exiled. The annexation contributed to the 1857 rebellion, especially in Lucknow and nearby towns. After its suppression, Awadh became part of the North-Western Provinces as Oudh Province within British India and, after independence, part of the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh).

Today Awadh remains a cultural and linguistic region. The Awadhi language and Urdu have historic associations with the area, which is also known for its distinctive cuisine and refined architectural and literary traditions that continue to influence northern India.