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Amjad
Ali Shah's eldest son, Wajid Ali shah, who was eventually destined to be the last ruler of
Awadh, ascended the throne of Awadh in 1847.
Wajid
Ali Shah was a great patron of singers, musicians, dancers and artists. He was also
greatly interested in architecture. He started building the Qaiser bagh palace complex as
soon as he came to the throne. This vast complex was built between 1848 and 1850 at the
cots of 80 lakh rupeesincluding
furniture and decoration. The inner court yard of Qaiserbagh, with its lawns was called
Jilo Khana. In the centre was a Baradari flanked by two mermaid gates (
Lakkhigate ) at eastern and western
ends. On the right end
was Chandiwali
Baradari,
which was paved with sliver and the khas muqam and Badshah manzil, which used to be the
special residence
of the king. On the left was a large group of buildings termed as chaulakkhi kothi, built
by Azimutla Khan, which was later sold to the king. Nawab khas mahal and other honoured
ladies of the royal harem lived here. During the mutiny days Begum Hazrat Mahal
held court from this kothi. The buildings at the Qaiserbagh Quadrangle were occupied
chiefly by ladies of the Harem. To left of the Western Lakkhi gate, was the
Roshan-ud-daula kothi, built by Nasir-ud-din-Haider's Wazir, later confiscated by Wajid
Ali Shah and renamed as 'Qaiser Pasand'. One of his favourite wives Nawab Mashuq Mahal used
to live in it. Of the large oblong enclosure of elegant and imposing two storied houses,
one wing of which
was pulled down after the war of 1857,
the other still remains. It was in this atmosphere
of gaiety and merriment, that the British annexed
Awadh on Feb.11, 1856 deposing Wajid Ali Shah. |
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