Wajid Ali Shah

Wajid Ali Shah Biography

Wajid Ali Shah was the fifth King of Oudh from 13 February 1847 to 11 February 1856. He was the tenth and last Nawab of the state of Awadh of present day Uttar Pradesh. His kingdom, long protected by the British under treaty, was eventually annexed peacefully on 11 February 1856 about nine years after his coronation.  The Nawab was exiled to Garden Reach in Metiabruz, Kolkata where he lived till the end of his life. He was known as a poet, playwright, dancer and great patron of the arts. He is credited to the revival of Kathak, Indian classical dance form in its present form.

He was born in Lucknow on 30 July 1822. Wajid Ali Shah succeeded to the throne of Awadh during the glorified days of the kingdom. British had already annexed the kingdom as they needed a buffer state between their presence in the East and South. They also imposed huge expenditure in the state in the form of British army. Wajid Ali succeeded at a time when the British East India Company was determined to grab the coveted throne of prosperous Awadh. He had many qualities as a good administrator and he was very generous and kind to his subjects. He introduced reforms, and re-organised the military department. But gradually he sunk into the luxurious ways of life, dance and music.  Yet he spent a lot for placing Kathak into the period of glory under his expert guidance.

Shah was widely regarded as a debauched and detached ruler. As a patron of arts, he has given significant contributions to music and helped a lot in the revival of Kathak dance. When Wajid Ali Shah was a young boy, some astrologers warned his parents that he would become a Yogi and that he should be dressed like a yogi on his birthdays. After his exile from the kingdom, he kept relationship with arts and music. He recreated the musical environments of his Kaisarbagh Baradari. People called him "Matiya Burj". His Bhairavi thumri "Babul Mora Naihar Chhooto Jaay, has been sung by several prominent singers.

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Updated: September 24, 2017