Lucknow on the Gomti river first attained prominence in the 15th century under the Sharqi Sultans of Jaunpur. Later it was ruled by Mughal governors. By the 17th century it was a prosperous commercial centre, and continued to flourish from 1775-1856 as the capital of the independent kingdom of Avadh. Its rulers, the Nawabs were builders and patrons of the arts and attracted a variety of talents, much of it from Europe.