Durbar scene showing Wajid ‘Ali Shah embracing the Governor-General, Lord Hardinge; Lucknow, India ; c.1847. The British Library, Add.Or.742

Wajid Ali Shah (b. 1822; d. 1887) was the eleventh and final ruler of Awadh, whose reign lasted from 1847 to 1856. He is known for his extensive patronage of the arts, including thumri, Kathak, Hindustani theatre and poetry.