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In the historic locality of Hussainabad, located in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, nonagenarian Faiyaz Ali Khan makes his way to the Art Gallery, a 19th Century building that is a relic of the city's royal past.

His fingers shake as he moves, but there is a sparkle in his eyes. He has arrived to receive his royal pension, a allowance granted to the offspring and associates of the erstwhile Awadh realm.

This pension, derived from the Persian word for a formal contract, is a pension awarded to the heirs and associates of the rulers of the previous Awadh state. Awadh, now the central region of Uttar Pradesh, was ruled by partially independent Muslim rulers - called nawabs - until the British took control in 1856.

India no longer has a royal system, and ex-royalty do not have any honorifics, privileges or unique stipends, called privy purses. However, while their realms and political power have long disappeared, some stipend systems have continued for descendants of these lineages in states including UP, Kerala, and Rajasthan.

Roshan Taqui, a historian of the city, where the area is situated, says that in the beginning of the nineteenth century some individuals of the Awadh royal family lent money to the British enterprise - which was then a commercial entity - on condition that the interest be paid out as pensions to their relatives. These loans were perpetual, meaning the Company never had to repay the original sum.

But shortly thereafter, the British acquired control in the region while the local rulers became less powerful.

Around that time, the historian notes, several rulers were also compelled to provide money to the Company, which needed it to fight the conflict in Afghanistan.

Standing outside the Picture Gallery, which was built during the rule of ex- Awadh ruler Mohammad Ali Shah, the elderly recipient says he has arrived to receive his stipend after 13 months.

"We've been collecting this pension since the time of our great-grandparents. It's such a small amount that I only come once a year to collect it," he said.

The stipend sum is modest, only nine rupees and 70 paise ($0.11; eight pence) a thirty days, but for his household, it is about honour - their last living link to a formerly wealthy heritage.

"Even if we receive a single paisa, we'll pay a significant amount to come and collect it," says his son the younger generation.

Today, around twelve hundred individuals - called wasikedars - still receive these pensions.

However, the distributions are variable and inconsistent and diminish with every successive heir. For example, if a individual got 100 rupees and had two children, the stipend would be reduced by half after their death, leaving each with 50 rupees. As descendants multiplied over time, the share of pensions became even smaller.

The allotment of wasika began in the early nineteenth century when Bahu Begum, the spouse of Awadh's the ruler, lent 40m rupees to the East India Company in multiple payments on the condition that her relatives and affiliates obtain regular stipends, as per the historian.

Historical documents show that other people associated with the royal family also provided funds to the firm on similar terms.

After India gained independence in the mid-twentieth century, part of the funds provided by Bahu Begum was deposited in a bank.

According to Uttar Pradesh's pension official the officer, about three million rupees was first deposited in the Reserve Bank of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) and subsequently transferred to Kanpur and then the capital. Today, the pensions are distributed from the interest earned on around 2.6 million rupees deposited in a city bank in the city.

The distributions are made by dual authorities in the Picture Gallery: the Hussainabad Trust, managed by Lucknow's district administration, and the Uttar Pradesh government's pension department. The authorities now sends stipends straight to bank accounts, while the Trust pays in cash.

Danish Ansari, the state's minority welfare minister, says the pension is given out as per regulation and that the tradition "originates from the rulers of the region."

Critics contend that these allowances are remnants of feudal privilege and should have no role in the modern era. But supporters see them as symbolic payments tied to historical promises that should not be disregarded.

Shahid Ali Khan, a legal professional who is also a recipient of the royal pension, points to his own heritage. His ancestor was a official to Nawab Mohammad Ali Shah.

Now, he receives two separate stipends linked to dual advances, one payment of four rupees and eighty paise every three months and another monthly payment of 3.21 rupees.

"This pension should not be valued in money. It's our heritage, worth more than millions. Only a few people receive it," he says, adding that he collects it shortly prior to the sacred period of Muharram, allocating it solely to spiritual purposes.

"I don't collect it throughout the year because if any amount is spent elsewhere, I would have regrets."

Numerous beneficiaries argue that the stipends should be increased according to modern financial returns.

"We've been getting the stipend at a four percent return since the Nawabs' time, while current financial yields are much higher," the elder states.

His offspring adds that they have made repeated appeals for the sum to be increased, but without success.

"It's regrettable that I spend 500 rupees on fuel just to receive 9.70 rupees," he remarks.

Scholars also highlight that the stipend was initially distributed in silver coins that each weighed over 11.7 grams (around 11.7 grams).

But when the distributions switched to the national money, the value declined significantly.

Shahid Ali Khan declares he intends to file a case to demand a revision of the amount.

"We'll inquire why wasika isn't paid in silver coins now. And if not in silver, then at least the sum corresponding to current metal prices should be provided," he states.

It is not just the financial worth of the pension that has diminished, but also the splendor associated with it.

Another recipient, whose lineage has been obtaining these stipends for multiple eras, remembers a time when receiving the stipend was a celebratory event, with refreshments and tea being available on the occasion.

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