The Mahmudabad Estate was founded in 1677 by Raja Mahmud Khan, a descendant of the first caliph of Islam. The Kothi, or palace, is part of a 20-acre complex called the Qila, or fort. The Kothi is a leading example of Awadh palace architecture, and served as an important administrative and residential complex for rulers of Mahmudabad throughout the Mughal period and subsequently during the British colonial era. It played an important role during the First War of Independence in 1857, at which time the Kothi was completely destroyed by the British.
