Question

In 1856, Awadh would not have been annexed with the British empire if the Nawab of Awadh had

(a) allied with the British

(b) not refused to introduce reforms as suggested by the British

(c) fought against the British

(d) a natural heir

Answer 1

(d) Lord Dalhousie was keen on annexing the kingdom of Awadh. But the task presented certain difficulties because the Nawab of Awadh had been a British ally since the Battle of Buxar and had been most obedient to the British over the years. Lord Dalhousie hit upon the idea of alleviating the plight of the people of Awadh and accusing Nawab Wajid Ali on the ground of misgovernance and annexed his state in 1856.