The Nawabs of Awadh

With the weakening central control the Mughal suba of Awadh also saw emerging ambitions of a provincial governor - Saadat Khan Burhan ul Mulk. Saadat Khan disciplined the local zamindars and gave shape to a well paid, well armed and well trained army.

Before his death in 1739, Saadat Khan made the provincial head a hereditary position. His successors Safdar Jung and Asaf ud Daulah not only played very decisive role in the politics of northern India but also gave a long term administrative stability to the nawabi of Awadh.

Under the Nawabs firstly Faizabad and then Lucknow became the cultural rival of Delhi in the spheres of arts, literature and crafts.

Regional architecture reflected itself in the form of Imambarah and other buildings. The evolution of dance form Kathak was the outcome of cultural synthesis.