Question

__________ was the last Nawab of Awadh.
a. Wajid Ali Shah
b. Shuja-ud-Daula
c. Asaf-ud-Daula
d. Asif Jah Mirza

Answer 1

Hint: The State of Awadh became a part of the British East India Company’s territory after Lord Dalhousie decided to annex it on a pretext of misrule in 1856.

Complete answer: a. Wajid Ali Shah: Wajid Ali Shah was the fifth ruler of Awadh who ruled from the year 1847 to 1856. He was the Nawab of Awadh when the state was annexed by the British East India Company in 1856 on the grounds of misrule. So, it is the correct option.
b. Shuja-ud-Daula: Shuja ud Daula was the Nawab of Awadh who had participated in the Battle of Buxar fought between the armies of the Mughals, Awadh and Bengal against the British East India Company in the year 1764. He had to give away his territories of Kora and Allahabad to the Mughals as a part of the Treaty of Allahabad signed after the battle. So, it is an incorrect option.
c. Asaf-ud-Daula: Asaf ud Daulah was the Nawab of Awadh who had brought the capital city of Awadh from Faizabad to Lucknow. This event had occurred in the 18th century. So, it is an incorrect option.
d. Asif Jah Mirza: He is also known as Nawab Wazir Ali Khan who was the fourth Nawab of Awadh state from 1797 to 1798. He was the son of Asaf ud Daulah. Since the Awadh state continued to flourish for decades after his reign, he cannot be the last ruler of Awadh. So, it is an incorrect option.
Therefore, option a is correct.

Note: The initial capital of Awadh was Faizabad. Then later on the traditional capital of the state of Awadh was known to be Lucknow, after Faizabad. The Nawabs of Awadh were of Persian origin and followers of Shia Islam, unlike the Mughals who were the followers of Sunni Islam.