Administrator or prolific builder? The legacy of ‘Raja’ Tikait Rai

'Raja' Tikait Rai was actively involved in constructing several bridges, temples, mosques, wells, serais (inns), ghats, markets, and walled gardens.

He is credited with building 108 temples for Lord Shiva, establishing the Shiva Temple near the Behta river in Malihabad, and reconstructing the Hanuman Garhi in Ayodhya.

Tikait Rai began his career as a Mutsaddi (clerk) in the Nawabi administration and rose to become Diwan (superintendent of accounts).

He was conferred with honorary titles such as 'Raja' and 'Maharaj Adhiraj Tikait Rai Narendra Bahadur', which did not imply royal lineage.