Awadh (Oudh) Annexation (1856): Lord Dalhousie annexed Awadh on the pretext of misgovernance, despite the Nawab Wajid Ali Shah being a loyal ally. This act caused widespread resentment, particularly among the sepoys, many of whom hailed from Awadh.
Treaty of Faizabad (1775): Signed between the EIC and Asaf-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Awadh. The Nawab ceded Varanasi and Ghazipur to the EIC and increased the subsidy for British troops. This marked early British encroachment into Awadh's sovereignty.
Cession of Gorakhpur, Rohilkhand, and Doab (1801): Nawab Saadat Ali Khan of Awadh was forced by Lord Wellesley to cede these territories to the EIC in return for protection. These regions became part of the British North-Western Provinces.
Battle of Buxar's Impact on Awadh (1764): Shuja-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Awadh, was defeated alongside Mir Qasim and Shah Alam II. The subsequent Treaty of Allahabad (1765) forced Awadh to pay a war indemnity and accept a British Resident, effectively bringing it under EIC's influence.
Varanasi (Benares) under EIC: After the Treaty of Faizabad, Varanasi came under direct EIC control. It was an important administrative and revenue-generating center for the British. The Raja of Benares became a subordinate ruler.
Allahabad (Prayagraj) as Administrative Hub: Following the Treaty of Allahabad, the city became a significant British military cantonment and later an administrative center for the North-Western Provinces. The fort was strategically important.
Meerut and the Revolt of 1857: The initial spark of the 1857 Revolt occurred in Meerut on May 10, 1857, when sepoys mutinied against the British, marching to Delhi. This event is crucial for understanding the impact of EIC policies on UP.
Kanpur and Lucknow during 1857: These cities in UP were major centers of resistance during the 1857 Revolt, with figures like Nana Saheb (Kanpur) and Begum Hazrat Mahal (Lucknow) leading the rebellion against the British.