Wajid Ali

The 17th Sanatkada Festival in Lucknow, themed 'Raabta: Lucknow–Calcutta Ka', explored shared histories through literature, music, and food, commemorating Nawab Wajid Ali Shah's journey. The five-day event featured performances, literary sessions with Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee, and discussions on culinary migration, highlighting the cultural exchange between the two cities.

Singer-songwriter Rabbi Shergill performed in Lucknow. He praised the city's rich culture and history. Shergill noted the growth of independent music through digital platforms. He expressed concern over Bollywood's music industry focusing on quick earnings. Shergill believes art should inspire new politics. He also reflected on his own artistic expression and Bollywood's current music trends.

A descendant of Wajid Ali Shah in Kolkata has claimed that her father is the last surviving prince of Awadh and a direct descendant of the Nawab deposed by the British in 1856 and exiled to Kolkata.

Exiled in 1856, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah recreated a miniature Lucknow in Metiabruz, Kolkata, transporting its rich culture. Despite British efforts to erase his legacy, remnants of his passion for arts and Awadhi traditions persist, a poignant reminder of the last king's enduring influence.

Sahebzada Wasif Mirza, son of Prince Ghazanfar Mirza and great grandson of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, passed away on January 25 at his Park Circus residence. He was the president of the Awadh Royal Family Association that was set up to look after the interest of the descendants.

In the first week of February in 1856, the mother of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was getting ready after her morning bath when the news of the annexation of Awadh by the British reached her.

Kaukub Quder Sajjad Ali Meerza, the great-grandson of Awadh’s last monarch, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, and grandson of Nawab Birjis Quder, died of Covid-19 in Kolkata on Sunday afternoon, aged 87.

Awadh’s last nawab, Wajid Ali Shah, who was a connoisseur of art, music and food, had created a “mini Lucknow” in Metiabruz, where he was exiled after his kingdom was annexed by the British in 1856. He encouraged flowering of traditional performing art forms, like kathak, thumris, ghazals. The Nawab, who was born on July 30, 1822, spent the last 31 years of his life in Kolkata.

A respectable figure in the shooting fraternity, Wajid Ali, 59, had complained of chest pain in the morning and later had a massive heart attack before he breathed his last.

After her army was defeated in the first war of Independence in 1857, the British gave the option to Begum Hazrat Mahal to rule Awadh under colonial masters, but she refused, saying that she would rather live in another country as a commoner than be a slave to the British empire. This was revealed by Manzilat Fatima, the great-great granddaughter of the last Nawab of Awadh, Wajid Ali Shah, in an exclusive conversation with Vivek Singh Chauhan during her recent visit to Lucknow, the land of her ancestors. Excerpts:

Did you know that Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, who was also a poet and playwright, was hard of hearing because his tutor had once slapped him?This little known anecdote, among many otherss, was shared during the heritage walk organised under the banner of Wajid Ali Shah Awadh Mahotsav, on

On the bright and lazy Sunday afternoon, Salempur House, a part of Qaiserbagh Palace built by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, came alive with memories of the man himself.

Life is stranger than fiction. After the annexation of his kingdom in February 1856, when Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was living in Matiyaburj on an annual pension of Rs 12 lakh, his money was misappropriated by one of his most trusted officers Munshi Safdar.

"During the reign of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, Awadh touched its zenith in patronage to all forms of arts including poetry, dance, drama, music, food and Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb. There was social harmony and mutual respect between all citizens irrespective of their religion or caste," said great-great granddaughter of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah (the last nawab of Awadh), Manzilat Fatima.