The Books written by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah are:

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:
Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Awadh, was not only a patron of the arts but a prolific writer, poet, and composer, often writing under the pen name 'Akhtarpiya'. His reign marked a significant period of cultural flourishing, especially for Kathak dance and the Thumri genre, both of which he profoundly influenced and documented. Among his extensive literary works, he wrote numerous *rahas* (short plays or operettas), and *Banno* and *Nazo* are two well-known dramatic works or fictional stories that emerged from his court. These works are crucial primary sources for understanding the performing arts and cultural life of Lucknow during his time, cementing his reputation as a unique cultural figure whose influence extended far beyond politics.

The incorrect option is 1:
The books *Marifunnagmat* and *Sangeet-Saar* are incorrectly attributed to Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. *Marifunnagmat* is a highly respected and complex treatise on the theory and practice of Hindustani music, known for its detailed analysis of Ragas and Talas. This work is generally attributed to Thakur Jaidev Singh or other musicologists. *Sangeet-Saar* is a separate, major work that is typically associated with Raja Pratap Singh Dev of Jaipur. Since neither of these prominent theoretical works was authored by the Nawab, this option is factually inaccurate.

The incorrect option is 3:
*Nritya Pravesh* and *Natwari* are not the titles of books written by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. *Nritya Pravesh* is a term that translates to 'Introduction to Dance' and is the title of a work by a later Kathak exponent like Lacchu Maharaj, serving as a teaching manual. *Natwari* refers to the specific set of *bols* (rhythmic syllables) that are unique to the Banaras Gharana of Kathak dance, a term used for the style of footwork rather than a book authored by the Nawab. Thus, these terms belong to later or different contexts within Indian classical dance.

The incorrect option is 4:
The pairing *Rasgunjan* and *Sargam-Saar* is incorrect. While the Nawab wrote many compositions (*bandishes*) that are rich in *Rasa* (aesthetic emotion), *Rasgunjan* is not recognized as one of his principal literary or dramatic works. *Sargam-Saar* is not a title definitively associated with Wajid Ali Shah’s catalog of writings, which includes well-documented texts like *Husn-e-Akhtar* and *Bani-Nazo* (alternatively Banno, Nazo). Therefore, this option fails to name his authenticated literary contributions.