July-October 1789: The Nawabs of Oudh were theoretically Governors of this province of the Mughal Empire but became virtually independent with the decline of Mughal authority. The region is one of the most fertile in India, and its capital Lucknow soon became a flourishing city. After his defeat at the battle of Buxar, resulting in the loss of some of his territories in favour of the British, Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula moved his capital in a more central location to Faizabad. After his death, his son, Asaf-ud-Daula, returned to Lucknow.