King Wajid ‘Ali Shah and his Two Indian Courts

Abstract

This essay considers the two successive courts of the Muslim king, Wajid ‘Ali Shah (1822–1887). The first was the short-lived, but exotic court of Lucknow, in northern India, from 1847 to 1856. This was followed by the court at Garden Reach, Calcutta, from 1856 to the King’s death. It examines Indian ideas of kingship, the annexation policy of the East India Company and the King’s efforts to maintain Mughal traditions.

This article is based on research material for the author’s forthcoming book The Last King in India: Wajid ‘Ali Shah (Hurst, London, 2014).