"Lucknow street, kingdom of Aoude," from a history book printed in France, 1846

Source: ebay, July 2007

A beautiful gold ashrafi minted by Vajid Ali Shah in AH 1266 (1849/50)

Source: http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/cng/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=2036&large=0
(downloaded Feb. 2006)

"Wajid Ali Shah. 1847-1856. AV Ashrafi (10.72 gm, 3h). Dated AH 1266 (1849/50 AD). "Coin did strike on silver and gold by the grace and help of Allah the Shadow of the True One, Wajid Ali, Sultan of the World, Badshah;" AH 1266 / "Minting of the house of the Sultanate Lucknow of the kingdom of Awadh of the year of his reign associated with prosperity," coat-of-arms supported by 'mermen'."

One of the last silver rupees coined by Vajid Ali Shah, the last Navab of Avadh, in AH 1271 (1854/5)

Source: http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/coinindia/store/viewitem.asp?idProduct=926
(downloaded Aug. 2008)

"AWADH: Wajid Ali Shah (1847-56) Silver rupee, Baitus-s-Sultanat Lakhnau Mulk Awadh Akhtarnagar, AH 1271. Legend including AH date 1271 and mint name Baitus-s-Sultanat Mulk Awadh Akhtarnagar (mint variety VI). Reverse: Awadh coat of arms with legend around and RY 8. Date: AH 1271 (=1855 CE). Weight: 11.11 gm. Diameter: 24 mm."

An illuminated page from Vajid Ali Shah's divan of Urdu poetry, 1856

Source: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/search/LotDetail.asp?sid=&intObjectID=4685092&SE=CMWCAT03+89736+%2D1490283046+&QR=M+1+84+Aqc0000900+74876++Aqc0000900+&entry=india&SU=1&RQ=True&AN=85
(downloaded Mar. 2006)

"WAJID 'ALI SHAH OF AWADH (R. 1847-56 AD), PEN-NAMED AKHTAR: DIWAN. AWADH, NORTHERN INDIA, DATED 1 MUHARRAM AH 1276/31 JULY 1856 AD. Poetry, manuscript on cream paper, 192 ff. plus 2fl, each with 11ll. of black nasta'liq in two columns, in clouds reserved against gold ground, the margins illuminated with a variety of vegetal designs in gold, green and red, illuminated headpiece with heraldic design of confronted mythical figures in gold and polychrome, in black morocco binding with gold stamped decoration, binding slightly scuffed, flyleaf with library stamp. Folio 13¼ x 8in. (33.5 x 20cm.)."

A print from 1870

Source: ebay, Sept. 2007

Vajid Ali Shah, an engraving from 1872 (also published in the Illustrated London News, 1857)

Source: ebay, Aug. 2005

Vajid Ali Shah; a modern oil painting by Om Prakash

Source: http://www.exoticindiaart.com/product/OP15/
(downloaded May 2002)