India, June 14 -- Lucknow, often celebrated for its Nawabi era from 1722 to 1856, holds a rich and intricate history that predates this illustrious phase. The city's significance was established long before the Shia administrators took the helm, as it navigated the shifts of power between the Mughal Empire and the Sur Afghans. It was during the tenure of the Sur Afghans that Lucknow began to ascend in prominence, notably with the establishment of a copper mint or 'Taksal.' During the reign of Akbar, Lucknow transformed into the chief town of a 'sarkar,' (administrative division of Awadh suba/province). Mahmudnagar to the right of the Chowk area, and Shahganj to the left were established with the Akbari Darwaza at the southern end, in honour of Akbar who later appointed Shaikh Abdur (Abdul) Rahim, as subadar of Awadh; the latter built residences for himself and his five sons on an elevation previously occupied by the Qila Lakhna. Subsequently, this five-palace complex came to be known as 'Panch Mahalla', with its imposing gateway, the Shaikhan Darwaza. The cenotaph of Shaikh Abdur Rahim, together with the graves of Shaikh Ibrahim Chishti, a Sufi saint and other deceased noblemen of that period are extant in the Mughal-era 'Nadan Mahal' tomb complex, in the old city. The evolution of Lucknow continued during the reign of Jahangir, who founded the Mirza Mandi area, west of the Panch Mahalla. Sultan Ali Shah Quli Khan was subadar of Awadh during the reign of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. Quli Khan's two sons, Mirza Fazil and Mansur, founded Fazil Nagar and Mansur Nagar. As was his wont, Aurangzeb visited the bustling city of Lucknow and the Alamgir mosque was built on Lucknow's most vantage and revered spot - the Lakhsman Teela, by Quli Khan, thus sowing the seeds of sporadic religious strife. Mohammad Sharif, who succeeded Quli Khan, laid the foundation of Ashrafabad. His brother founded Musharrafabad or Naubasta, adjoining Ashrafabad. During Nawabi rule, the Mughals retained their paramount importance in Awadh. For example, if any member of the Mughal royal family and the Nawab crossed each other on the street, the latter would be obliged to get down from his elephant, pay his respects and give way to the Mughal royalty. In May 1757, crown prince Ali Gauhar, who would later be known as Shah Alam II, escaped from Delhi and, while en route to Allahabad, passed through Awadh. Shuja-ud-Daula, the reigning nawab extended a warm welcome to him, with traditional ceremonies and respect, offering him a 'nazar' (ceremonial gift) of 101 coins. The prince was escorted to a spacious, newly established camp and a range of entertainment was organised in his honour. Apparently, the prince was so impressed by the courtesy extended to him that he invited Shuja to his camp and bestowed upon him his own turban as a personal honour. On seeing the atrocities being heaped upon his family, Prince Mirza Jawan Bakht (Jahandar Shah), the eldest son of emperor Shah Alam II and heir apparent to the Mughal throne, fled to Lucknow in 1784. He was received by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula and extended all courtesies. Jawan Bakht petitioned the King of England for restoration of his family's hereditary rights on the Mughal throne without success. He died at the Shivala Palace, Benares on May, 31, 1788. In due course, Mirza Suleiman Shikoh, the third son of Shah Alam II also arrived in Lucknow as a political refugee. He was accommodated in a palace complex in today's Aminabad area, which came to be known as Mahalsara Suleiman Shikoh. Suleiman Shikoh had cordial relations with Asaf-ud-Daula and Sa'adat Ali Khan, but had misunderstandings with Ghazi-ud-Din Haider, since he was a royal scion from Delhi, and Ghazi-ud-Din strove to sever ties from the Mughals, by declaring himself as an independent king. The situation deteriorated further, when Suleiman Shikoh was forced to marry his daughter, Ruqiya Sultan, to Nasir-ud-Din Haider. The Mughal prince had another confrontation with Nasir-ud-Din Haider, when the latter apparently abducted the prince's adopted daughter, Qamar Chehra; ultimately the Resident had to intervene to set things right, but the prince left Lucknow after this incident. After a life full of trials and tribulations, Suleiman Shikoh died at Agra on February 24, 1838. During 1857, Mirza Mohammad Shikoh and Mirza Haider Shikoh, descendents of Suleiman Shikoh, were arrested by the British, who felt that confining the Mughal princes, together with Mustafa Ali (brother of Wajid Ali Shah) and surprisingly, the Raja of Tulsipur, (who had been imprisoned in the Residency even before the siege of 1857 had commenced), would not only prevent a rallying point for the rebels, they could also increase the bargaining power of the British, during any contingency, if need be. Thus, we see that the nawabs of Awadh had been traditional allies of the Mughals. However, history was unkind to both the Mughal and Awadh dynasties, and the British managed to vanquish both during the events of 1856-57. PC Sarkar, a former scientist, has authored several books on the forgotten heritage of Lucknow...