Wajid Ali Shah was the last ruler of Awadh, ascending the throne in 1847. He was a great patron of the arts and started an ambitious construction project of the Qaiserbagh palace complex between 1848-1850, which included various buildings, gates, and residences for himself and the royal harem. However, the British annexed Awadh on February 11, 1856, deposing Wajid Ali Shah and exiling him to Calcutta, where he introduced several Awadhi dishes to the city, including seekh kabab.