The Oudh State or Kingdom of Oudh (Awadh State) was a princely state in the Awadh region during the British Raj until 1856. Oudh the now obsolete but once official English-language name of the state, also written in British historical texts as 'Oude', derived from the name of Ayodhya.
The capital of Oudh State was in Faizabad, but the British Agents, officially known as 'residents', had their seat in Lucknow. The Nawab of Oudh, one of the richest princes, paid for and erected a splendid Residency in Lucknow as a part of a wider programme of civic improvements.
In 1732, under Mughal sovereignty, a senior official of the Mughal Empire established a hereditary polity in Oudh. As the power of the Mughals waned, with the rise of the Maratha Empire, the rulers of Oudh gradually affirmed their own sovereignty. Since the state was located in a prosperous region, the British East India Company soon took notice of the affluence in which the Nawabs of Oudh lived. The result would be direct British interference in the internal state matters of Oudh, and the kingdom became a British protectorate in May 1816. Three years later, in 1819, the ruler of Oudh took the style of Padshah, signaling formal independence under the advice of the Marquis of Hastings.
On 7 February 1856 by order of Lord Dalhousie, Governor General of the East India Company, the king of Oudh was deposed, and its kingdom was annexed to British India under the terms of the Doctrine of lapse on the grounds of internal misrule.
Oudh joined other Indian states in an upheaval against British rule in 1858 during one of the last series of actions in the Indian rebellion of 1857. In the course of this uprising a few detachments of the British Indian Army from the Bombay Presidency overcame the disunited collection of Indian states in a single rapid campaign. Even so, determined rebels continued to wage sporadic guerrilla clashes until the spring of 1859. This ill-fated rebellion is also historically known as the 'Oudh campaign'. After the British annexation of Oudh, the North Western Provinces became the North Western Provinces and Oudh
The first ruler of Oudh State belonged to the Shia Muslim Sayyid Family and descended of Musa al-Kadhim originated from Nishapur. But the dynasty also belonged from the paternal line to the Kara Koyunlu through Qara Yusuf. They were renowned for their secularism and broad outlook. All rulers used the title of 'Nawab'
The capital of Oudh State was in Faizabad, but the British Agents, officially known as 'residents', had their seat in Lucknow. The Nawab of Oudh, one of the richest princes, paid for and erected a splendid Residency in Lucknow as a part of a wider programme of civic improvements.
In 1732, under Mughal sovereignty, a senior official of the Mughal Empire established a hereditary polity in Oudh. As the power of the Mughals waned, with the rise of the Maratha Empire, the rulers of Oudh gradually affirmed their own sovereignty. Since the state was located in a prosperous region, the British East India Company soon took notice of the affluence in which the Nawabs of Oudh lived. The result would be direct British interference in the internal state matters of Oudh, and the kingdom became a British protectorate in May 1816. Three years later, in 1819, the ruler of Oudh took the style of Padshah, signaling formal independence under the advice of the Marquis of Hastings.
On 7 February 1856 by order of Lord Dalhousie, Governor General of the East India Company, the king of Oudh was deposed, and its kingdom was annexed to British India under the terms of the Doctrine of lapse on the grounds of internal misrule.
Oudh joined other Indian states in an upheaval against British rule in 1858 during one of the last series of actions in the Indian rebellion of 1857. In the course of this uprising a few detachments of the British Indian Army from the Bombay Presidency overcame the disunited collection of Indian states in a single rapid campaign. Even so, determined rebels continued to wage sporadic guerrilla clashes until the spring of 1859. This ill-fated rebellion is also historically known as the 'Oudh campaign'. After the British annexation of Oudh, the North Western Provinces became the North Western Provinces and Oudh
The first ruler of Oudh State belonged to the Shia Muslim Sayyid Family and descended of Musa al-Kadhim originated from Nishapur. But the dynasty also belonged from the paternal line to the Kara Koyunlu through Qara Yusuf. They were renowned for their secularism and broad outlook. All rulers used the title of 'Nawab'
| Ruler (title Nawabs) | Reign | ||
| Burhan ul Mulk Mir Mohammad Amin Musawi Sa'adat Ali Khan I | 1722 - 1739 | ||
| Abul-Mansur Muhammad Muqim Khan (Safdar Jung) | 1739 - 1754 | ||
| Jalal-ud-din Shuja-ud-Daula Haider | 1754 - 1775 | ||
| Asaf-ud-Daula Amani | 1775 - 1797 | ||
| Mirza Wazir Ali Khan | 1797 - 1798 | ||
| Yamin-ud-Daula Nazem ul Mulk Sa'adat Ali Khan II Bahadur | 1798 - 1814 | ||
| Ghazi-ud-din Rafa'at-ud-Daula | 1814 - 1827 | ||
| Nasir-ud-din Haidar Sulaiman Jah Shah | 1827 - 1837 | ||
| Moin-ud-din Abul Fateh Muhammad Ali Shah | 1837 - 1842 | ||
| Najm-ud-Daula Amjad Ali Shah | 1842 - 1847 | ||
| Abul-Mansur Wajid Ali Shah | 1847 - 1856 | ||
| Birjis Qadr (During Indian Rebellion of 1857) | 1857 - 1859 |
1 Rupee - In the name of Shah Alam II, KM#16.3
Rev : Danda (mace) symbol, mint name Asafabad and RY#19
Details :
Plain edge
KM#16.3
1 Rupee - In the name of Shah Alam II, KM#36.x
Rev : Various symbols, mint name Muhammadabad Banaras and RY#3
Details :
Plain edge
KM#36.x
1 Rupee - In the name of Shah Alam II, KM#36.5
Rev : Trident symbol, mint name Muhammadabad Banaras and RY#13
Details :
Plain edge
KM#36.5
1 Rupee - In the name of Shah Alam II, KM#106.1
Rev : Star symbol, mint name Muradabad and RY#17
Details :
Plain edge
KM#106.1
1 Rupee - In the name of Shah Alam II, KM#106.3
Rev : Danda(mace) symbol, mint name Muradabad and RY#19
Details :
Plain edge
KM#106.3
1 Rupee - In the name of Shah Alam II, KM#6.1
Rev : Persian word "ain" inside julus, mint name Allahabad and RY#14
Details :
Plain edge
KM#6.1
1 Rupee - In the name of Shah Alam II, KM#6.x
Rev : Fish symbol, mint name Allahabad and RY#15
Details :
Plain edge
KM#6.x. Unlisted in KM. Differing from KM#6.1 and KM#6.2 by the chattra on obverse & fish on reverse.
In AD1773 Shuja-ud-Daula, the nawab of Awadh, bought Allahabad from the British. The date AH1187 on the coin accords with this. The obverse has a symbol that might be a stylized chhatra that also appears on the reverse of the coins of Banaras beginning in the sameRY#15 as this coin.
At Allahabad the “chhatra” and the fish are also found on rupees dated AH1188/RY#15 and AH1189/RY#16. Later, a rupee dated AH1195/RY#23 omits the “chhatra” but once again displays the fish of the same style.
At Allahabad the “chhatra” and the fish are also found on rupees dated AH1188/RY#15 and AH1189/RY#16. Later, a rupee dated AH1195/RY#23 omits the “chhatra” but once again displays the fish of the same style.
1 Rupee - In the name of Shah Alam II, KM#6.x
Rev : Fish symbol, mint name Allahabad and RY#16
Details :
Plain edge
KM#6.x. Unlisted in KM. Differing from KM#6.1 and KM#6.2 by the chattra on obverse & fish on reverse.
In AD1773 Shuja-ud-Daula, the nawab of Awadh, bought Allahabad from the British which accords with the date AH1187. The obverse has a symbol that might be a stylized chhatra that also appears on the reverse of the coins of Banaras beginning with the RY#15.
At Allahabad the “chhatra” and the fish are also found on rupees dated AH1188/RY#15 and AH1189/RY#16. Later, a rupee dated AH1195/RY#23 omits the “chhatra” but once again displays the fish of the same style.
At Allahabad the “chhatra” and the fish are also found on rupees dated AH1188/RY#15 and AH1189/RY#16. Later, a rupee dated AH1195/RY#23 omits the “chhatra” but once again displays the fish of the same style.
1 Rupee - In the name of Shah Alam II, KM#6.2
Rev : Pataka (banner) symbol, mint name Allahabad and RY#18
Details :
Plain edge
KM#6.2
1 Rupee - In the name of Shah Alam II, KM#76.4
Rev : Mint name Itawa and RY#22
Details :
Plain edge
KM#76.4
1 Rupee - In the name of Shah Alam II, KM#116.2
Rev : Persian letters "Suaad", fish, mint name Najibabad and RY#26
Details :
Plain edge
KM#116.2
1 Rupee - In the name of Shah Alam II, KM#116.3
Rev : Persian letter "Ain", fish, mint name Najibabad and RY#35
Details :
Plain edge.
KM#116.3. This coin differs slightly from the one mentioned in catalog as it does not have the Persian letter "Mim".
1 Rupee - In the name of Shah Alam II, KM#116.4
Rev : Persian letters "Mim", bud or halberd, fish, mint name Najibabad and RY#32
Details :
Plain edge
KM#116.4
1 Rupee - In the name of Shah Alam II, KM#96.2
Rev : Mint name Kora and RY#20
Details :
Plain edge
KM#96.2
1 Rupee - Sa'adat Ali in the name of Shah Alam II, KM#103.2
Rev : Frozen RY#26. Mint marks flag, star and fish. Mint name Muhammadabad Banaras
Details :
Plain edge
KM#103.2
1 Rupee - In the name of Shah Alam II, KM#46.2
Rev : RY#18. Crescent symbol at the bottom. Mint name Bareli
Details :
Plain edge
KM#46.2
1 Rupee - In the name of Shah Alam II, KM#46.4
Rev : RY#19. Danda(mace) symbol at the bottom. Mint name Bareli
Details :
Plain edge
KM#46.4
1 Rupee - In the name of Shah Alam II, KM#46.5
Rev : RY#17. Sword symbol at the bottom. Mint name Bareli
Details :
Plain edge
KM#46.5
1 Rupee - In the name of Shah Alam II, KM#51.4
Rev : RY#37. Fish, Persian letter “Mim”, trident, dagger. Mint name Bareli
Details :
Plain edge
KM#51.4
1 Rupee - In the name of Shah Alam II, KM#52.3
Rev : RY#37. Fish, star-shaped flower, Persian letter “Wa”. Mint name Bareli
Details :
Plain edge. The letter "Wa" on East India Company issues was reputedly the initial of the surname of the new settlement officer for Bareli, Henry Wellesley. The earlier issue, with letter "He" may have been a less majestic initial of his personal name.
KM#52.31 Rupee - In the name of Shah Alam II, KM#52.3
Rev : RY#37. Fish, star-shaped flower, Persian letter “Wa”. Mint name Bareli
Details :
Plain edge. The letter "Wa" on East India Company issues was reputedly the initial of the surname of the new settlement officer for Bareli, Henry Wellesley. The earlier issue, with letter "He" may have been a less majestic initial of his personal name.
KM#52.31 Rupee - In the name of Shah Alam II, KM#52.3
Rev : RY#37. Fish, star-shaped flower, Persian letter “Wa”. Mint name Bareli
Details :
Plain edge. The letter "Wa" on East India Company issues was reputedly the initial of the surname of the new settlement officer for Bareli, Henry Wellesley. The earlier issue, with letter "He" may have been a less majestic initial of his personal name.
KM#52.31 Rupee - Ghazi ud-din Haidar, KM#146
Rev : RY#26. Crown flanked by rampant lions holding flag, two upright fish below. Mint Lucknow
Details :
Plain edge. Differential marks vary.
KM#1461 Rupee - Ghazi ud-din Haidar, KM#165.1
Rev : Inscription - dar al-amaret Lakhnau suba Awadh
RY#1. Crown flanked by rampant lions holding flag, two upright fish below. Mint Lucknow
Details :
Plain edge. Epithet: Variety I
KM#165.11 Rupee - Ghazi ud-din Haidar, KM#165.2
Rev : Inscription - dar as-sultanat Lakhnau suba Awadh
RY#2. Crown flanked by rampant lions holding flag, two upright fish below. Mint Lucknow
Details :
Plain edge. Epithet: Variety II
KM#165.11 Rupee - Nasir-ud-Din Haidar, KM#205.1
AH1249.
Rev : Inscription - darul sultnat lakhnau memanat julus manus zarb suba awadh
RY#6. Crown flanked by rampant lions holding flag, two upright fish below. Mint Banaras
Details :
Plain edge. Mint mark: Variety I
KM#205.11 Rupee - Muhammad Ali, KM#316.1
Rev : Inscription - zarb subah Awadh bait al-sultanat Lukhnow julus maimanat manus
Translation:Struck in province of Awadh house of sultanat Lukhnow year of prosperity.
RY#1. Crown and fish, flanked by people. Mint Lucknow
Details :
Plain edge. Epithet: Variety III
KM#316.11 Rupee - Amjad Ali, KM#336
Translation: Amjad Ali king of universe, refuge of the world, shade of God, struck royal coin in the world
AH1260.
Rev : Inscription - zarb mulkh Awadh bait al-sultanat Lukhnow julus maimanat manus
Translation:Struck in realm of Awadh house of sultanat Lukhnow year of prosperity.
RY#3. Parasol above crown and fish, flanked by curved swords. Mint Lucknow
Details :
Plain edge. Epithet: Variety IV
KM#3361 Rupee - Wajid Ali, KM#365.1
Rev : Inscription - zarb mulkh Awadh bait al-sultanat Lukhnow julus maimanat manus
Translation:Struck in realm of Awadh house of sultanat Lukhnow year of prosperity.
RY#3. Parasol above crown, flanked by mermaids holding flag, crossed swords below. Mint Lucknow
Details :
Plain edge. Epithet: Variety IV
KM#365.11 Rupee - Wajid Ali, KM#365.3
Rev : Inscription - zarb Bait us-Sultanat Lakhnau Mulk Awadh Akhtar Nagar julus maimanat manus
Translation:Struck in realm of Awadh Akhtar Nagar house of sultanat Lukhnow year of prosperity.
RY#6. Parasol above crown, flanked by mermaids holding flag, crossed swords below. Mint Lucknow
Details :
Plain edge. Epithet: Variety VI
KM#365.31 Rupee - Brijis Qadr, KM#386
Rev : Inscription - RY#26, fish, cresent. Mint name 'Awadh' appearing at top and 'Subah' at the bottom. Mint Lucknow.
Details :
Plain edge.
Birjis Qadr was declared Nawab-Wazir during the Indian Mutiny of 1857. The coins were struck with fictitious dating in imitation of coinage before AH1234/1819. These are identifiable only by style and mint name, 'Awadh' appearing at top of reverse, and 'Subah' at the bottom. They are dated only AH1229/RY#26
KM#386Birjis Qadr was declared Nawab-Wazir during the Indian Mutiny of 1857. The coins were struck with fictitious dating in imitation of coinage before AH1234/1819. These are identifiable only by style and mint name, 'Awadh' appearing at top of reverse, and 'Subah' at the bottom. They are dated only AH1229/RY#26
References :
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oudh_State
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawab_of_Awadh
- http://www.hubert-herald.nl/BhaAwadh.htm
- https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=1359&lot=1599
- https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=1194&lot=1724
- https://www.zeno.ru/showphoto.php?photo=139479
- South Asian Coins & Paper Money (INDIAN EDITION) - Krause Publication
