Faizabad

Overview

Faizabad is a historic city in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, located on the banks of the river Ghaghara (also known as the Saryu in its lower course). It served as the first capital of the Awadh Nawabs in the eighteenth century and remains an important administrative and commercial centre in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Faizabad lies adjacent to the temple town of Ayodhya, and the two formed a contiguous urban area for much of their modern history.

Key Facts

Background

The modern city of Faizabad was developed in the early eighteenth century by Saadat Ali Khan I, the founding Nawab of Awadh, who established a military cantonment in the area. It rose to prominence under his successors, particularly Safdar Jung and Shuja-ud-Daula, who made it the seat of the Awadh court. During the reign of Shuja-ud-Daula, Faizabad expanded significantly, with the construction of forts, gardens, mosques and tombs, and it became a major centre of trade, scholarship and Indo-Persian culture.

The city's importance declined after Asaf-ud-Daula shifted the Awadh capital to Lucknow in 1775. Many courtiers, artisans and merchants followed, though Faizabad retained a strong cultural and architectural legacy from its period as capital.

Historical Timeline

• Early 18th century: Establishment of a military post by Saadat Ali Khan I.
• Mid-18th century: Development as the capital of Awadh under Safdar Jung and Shuja-ud-Daula.
• 1775: Capital shifted to Lucknow by Asaf-ud-Daula; Faizabad becomes a secondary centre.
• 1856: Awadh annexed by the British East India Company; Faizabad incorporated into British administration.
• 1857: Faizabad participates in the Indian Rebellion against British rule.
• British period: Faizabad becomes the headquarters of Faizabad district and a divisional centre.
• 2018: The Government of Uttar Pradesh renamed Faizabad district as Ayodhya district, with Ayodhya as the headquarters; the urban area of Faizabad city was integrated within the Ayodhya municipal corporation.

Geography and Climate

Faizabad lies in the Gangetic plain of central-eastern Uttar Pradesh, in the fertile Awadh region. The Ghaghara, one of the largest tributaries of the Ganga, flows along the city. The terrain is flat and alluvial, supporting paddy, wheat, sugarcane and pulses cultivation. The climate is humid subtropical, with hot summers, a monsoon season from June to September, and cool winters.

Notable Monuments and Sites

• Gulab Bari — the tomb of Shuja-ud-Daula, set within a garden enclosure.
• Bahu Begum ka Maqbara — the mausoleum of Bahu Begum, wife of Shuja-ud-Daula, considered one of the finest tombs of the Awadh period.
• Moti Mahal — a palace associated with Bahu Begum.
• Chowk and Tripaulia — older market and gateway areas reflecting the city's eighteenth-century plan.
• Guptar Ghat — a religious bathing site on the Ghaghara, traditionally associated with the legend of Lord Rama.

Administration

Faizabad city is administered as part of the Ayodhya district of Uttar Pradesh. It serves as a divisional headquarters in the state's administrative structure, with offices of the divisional commissioner, district administration and the police covering the region. The city is