Awadh
Awadh (Hindi: [əˈʋədʱ] ), known in British historical texts as Avadh or Oudh, is a historical region in northern India, now constituting the northeastern portion of Uttar Pradesh. It is roughly synonymous with the ancient Kosala region of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain scriptures.[2]
This article is about the cultural and historical region in India. For the state during the British Raj, see Oudh State.
Awadh
68,006 km2 (26,257 sq mi)
55,119,236
It was a province of all the major Islamic dynasties in India including the Mughal Empire. With the decline of late Mughal Delhi, Awadh became a major source of literary, artistic, religious, and architectural patronage in northern India under the rule of its eleven rulers, called Nawabs. From 1720 to 1856, the nawabs presided over Awadh, with Ayodhya and Faizabad serving as the region's initial capitals.[3] Later, the capital was relocated to Lucknow, which is now the capital of Uttar Pradesh.[4]
The British conquered Awadh in 1856, which infuriated Indians and was recognised as a factor causing Indian Mutiny (1857-58), the biggest Indian uprising against British rule.[5]
Demographics[edit]
Religion[edit]
A vast majority of the population practices Hinduism. It is also home to the Ram Janmabhoomi, an important pilgrimage site in Hinduism that marks where the deity Rama was born. The Muslim community has a strong presence in the urban areas of Awadh, such as Prayagraj and the capital city of Lucknow, which has a large Shia Muslim population. Other than that they are mostly concentrated in the Devipatan division.