Awadh in revolt

Awadh became a great centre of the revolt. Its story shows how British policy hurt everyone. In 1801, a Subsidiary Alliance was imposed on it. Lord Dalhousie called it 'a cherry that will drop into our mouth one day' (1851). In 1856 it was formally annexed, on the charge of misgovernment.

The popular Nawab, Wajid Ali Shah, was exiled to Calcutta. People grieved; his removal ended the court culture of Lucknow, and the musicians, dancers, poets, cooks and officials who depended on the court lost their livelihoods.

The British introduced the Summary Settlement (1856), which tried to remove the taluqdars (powerful landholders with forts and armed retainers). Their share of villages fell from 67 per cent to 38 per cent. Peasants gained no relief: they were over-assessed by 30 to 70 per cent.

Peasants also lost the support of the taluqdars, who in hard times had given them loans and help. So many taluqdars and peasants joined the revolt together, rallying behind Begum Hazrat Mahal in Lucknow.

Many sepoys came from the villages of Awadh, called the 'nursery of the Bengal Army'. They resented low pay, problems getting leave, and racial abuse by British officers; and they shared their families' grievances. Prince, taluqdar, peasant and sepoy were linked in one chain of discontent.