LUCKNOW THROUGH THE AGES

Founding of the Kingdom of Awadh (Rules Of Nawab)
                     Mohd. Amin Saadat Khan  Safdar Jung  Shuja-ud-daula  Asaf-ud-daula
                               (1720-1739)                    (1739-1754)          (1754-1775)            (1775-1797)

                       Wazir Ali  Saadat Ali Khan  Ghazi-ud-din Haider  Nasir-ud-din Haider
                     (1797-1798)          (1798-1814)                  (1814-1819)                    (1827-1837)

                                       Mohd. Ali Shah  Amjad Ali Shah  Wajid Ali Shah
                                          (1837-1842)              (1842-1847)              (1847-1856)
Nothing much is known of the early history of Awadh, but
when Akbar divided the whole of India into 12 provinces,
Lucknow was chosen as the seat of subedar of Awadh.
Shaikh Abdur Rahim a nobleman of Bijnaur was entrusted
with the jagir of Awadh. He built a five storied Palace the
'Panch Mahal'. His tomb is today known as the Nandan
Mahal. He also built a fort the 'Macchi Bhawan' which soon
became the center of activity at Lucknow, at the present site of
medical college today. Other than Shaikh Abdur Rahim's
family, the Shaikhzadas, a number of pathans also settled at
Lucknow, who soon became a paramount power and gradually
Lucknow started growing as a commercial center. The power
of the Shaikhzadas remained unchallenged until Saadat
Khan stepped in, being appointed as Subedar in 1722. It was
he who laid the foundations of the fine oriental court, which
came to be the last example of Eastern culture.