Awadh

Awadh is the central region of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, known as the granary of India. It is the centre of various period films of Bollywood and modern films.

• 🌍 Ayodhya — birthplace of Lord Rama, the central character from the Hindu mythology Ramayana. Nearby Faizabad was the former capital of the Oudh State.

• 🌍 Kannauj — The perfume factory of India

• 🌍 Kanpur — once known as the "Manchester of India", now famous for its leather works and IIT Kanpur

• 🌍 Lucknow — capital of Uttar Pradesh, the City of Nawabs, also home to one of the IIMs

• 🌍 Prayagraj (Allahabad) — holy place where the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati meet

• 🌍 Sitapur — river city, Sufi centre

• 🌍 Sultanpur — a university city

• 🌍 Unnao — a small temple city

• 🌍 Dudhwa National Park — a project for wildlife preservation

Awadh is the name of 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. Later, the capital was relocated to Lucknow, which is the present capital of Uttar Pradesh.

Awadhi cuisine is famous and represents a continuation of the heritage of the Mughal Empire. In the non-vegetarian space, Awadh is first and foremost known for its range of delicious kebabs, ranging from shami kebab patties to seekh kebab skewers.