B. The first Nawab of Awadh (Oudh) was Saadat Khan Burhan-ul-Mulk, who established the independent state in 1722. He was a high-ranking Mughal official who consolidated power in the fertile Awadh region.

[Solved] Who was the First Nawab of Oudh? Saadat Khan

First Nawab of Oudh:

[UPPCS Mains 2008]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

As the Mughal Empire decentralized in the 18th century, 'Successor States' like Awadh emerged. These were led by powerful governors who turned their provinces into hereditary kingdoms.

Authentic Source Evidence

Saadat Khan Burhan-ul-Mulk was appointed the Subadar (Governor) of Awadh in 1722 by Emperor Muhammad Shah. He effectively laid the foundation of the independent Nawab of Oudh dynasty. He managed to reduce Mughal influence while keeping the province stable and prosperous.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Saadat Khan was the pioneer who transformed the province into an autonomous state.

Logic 2: Safdarjung and Shuja-ud-Daula were his successors, while Asaf-ud-Daula is famous for shifting the capital to Lucknow much later.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"Why did Saadat Khan manage to become autonomous?"

He controlled the rich agricultural revenues of the Gangetic plain and suppressed the local rebellious zamindars to consolidate his own power.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"The rise of Saadat Khan illustrates how the 'Subadar' became a 'Nawab,' moving from a servant of the Emperor to a sovereign ruler."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Muhammad Shah 2

Analysing authentic UPPCS Mainsprevious year questions is non-negotiable for serious aspirants. Thoroughly decoding past exam trends related to 18th Century Post-Mughal States helps you understand the examiner's mindset. Mastering specific entities like Saadat Khan and Nawab of Awadh builds the analytical intuition needed to clear the exam. Practice Previous Year Questions here →