Wajid Ali Shah (1832-1887), the last Nawab of Awadh, built the Qaisar Bagh palace complex in his capital city, Lucknow, between 1847 and 1856. It comprised a series of courts, with pools and gardens, surrounding the central palace. The complex was designed in the Mughal style and the gardens were decorated with “many small marble pavilions and kiosks”. Ali Shah was deposed by the British in 1856, and the state of Awadh annexed by the British East India Company. This action caused enormous resentment and the population of Lucknow was enthusiastic in support of the Indian Rebellion which broke out the following year. The siege of the Lucknow Residency lasted almost six months, and the subsequent retaking of the city in March 1858 saw the looting and destruction of the Qaisar Bagh. Charles Canning selected the kiosk as a tribute to Queen Victoria and had it shipped to England in 1858.