A detailed history of Ghazipur
The district of Ghazipur is located in Uttar Pradesh state. The district headquarters are located in Ghazipur. In the Varanasi Division, the district is located. Lord Cornwallis, who was the Governor-General of British India when he died here, is buried in Ghazipur’s region and is known for his unique scent of roses called Gulab Jal. There is a grave with his name in the western part.
Of the City and is conserved by the Archaeological Survey of India.
In the Vedic era, Ghazipur was covered with dense forests, and Ashrams of Saints were located there. In the Ramayana period, this was the residence of Maharshi Yamdgni, the Father of Maharshi Parsuram. In the ancient period, famous Rishis Gautam and Chyavan delivered teachings here. Sarnath in Varanasi, not very far from here, is where the Buddha gave his first sermon. As the leading center for the teaching of Buddha, the Aurihar area of Ghazipur became an important Buddhist pilgrimage site. This period is primarily evident from the remains of many stupas and pillars. This area was described by Chinese Traveler Hiuen Tsang as Chanchu, “The Land of Battlefields.”
Between the Sultanate period and the Mughal period, this place was one of the leading centers. The capital of Ghazipur was Jaunpur during the Tughalk period under Zuna Khan, alias Muhammad Tuglak. This town was founded by the Saiyyad Massod Ghazi during the Zuna Khan’s reign, who defeated Raja Mandhata, the ancestor of brave Prithvi Raj Chauhan. The Ghazipur conditions were changed during the Lodhi Period by Naseer Khan Nuhani. As Banar ordered the administration of Ghazipur to Muhammad Khan Nuhani, this area was the main center during the Mughal era. Afghan Ali Kuli Khan inherited the control of Ghazipur and established the town of Zamania during Akbar’s reign. Jamindar Mansa Ram took control of this area after the death of Aurangzeb. After that, Ghazipur fell under the sovereignty of Banaras, and Raja Balwant Singh, the Son of Mansa Ram, became the King of Ghazipur. This area was ruled over by various British rulers after the attack of Warren Hastings, the then Governor-General of the British rule. When the Lord Cornwallis came to visit this place and accidentally died, he was very famous for reforming the land. The city of Ghazipur also has a beautiful tomb dedicated to this king.
Freedom fighters thrive in this area. Only Mangal Pandey, leader of the Indian Independence Movement (also called the Sepoy Movement), was born here. A famous revolt by farmers is connected to this area – the Nilha Sahib Revolt – where farmers revolted against the British and burned down various Indigo warehouses. In India’s freedom struggle, the Ghazipur played a major role.
Ghazipur, the Ground of Freedom Struggle
People from Ghazipur contributed to the success of the Indian National Movement in many ways. We are proud of our people for their courageous participation in the In-Home Rule, Rolat Act, Namak Kanoon, Videshi Bastro Ka Bahiskar Satyagrah & movement of 1942. People namely Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari, Sahjanand Sarwasti, Dr. Sayad Mahmood Qazi, Nijamul Haq Ansari, Bhagawat Mishra, Gajanan Marwari, Vishwanath Sharma, Hari Prasad Singh, Vaseer, Ram Murat Singh, Ram Raj Singh, Bola Singh, Indradev Tripathi, Dev Karan Singh, Vishwanath Ji, Sideshawar Prasad Singh, Ram Swaroop Pandey, Saraju Pandey, Dalsingar Dube, Ram Bahadur Shastri & other many others recorded their prideful roles. Quit India movement members from this area played a significant role. A group of freedom fighters led by Dr. Shiv Pujan Rai raised the tricolor flag at Muhammadabad tehsil. Their lives were sacrificed for the country on 18 August 1942. They included Vans Narain Rai, Ram Badan Rai, Raj Narain Rai, and Vasishth Narain Rai.
The government of Ghazipur is incapable of progressing in the same manner as it did before. For their sacrifices, the soil has given us strong soldiers such as Brig. Usman, Paramveer Chakra awardee Veer Abdul Hameed, and Ram Urgrah Pandey. In 1999, Ghazipur displayed outstanding bravery in its victory against Pakistan at Kargil.
Ghazipur during the ancient period
According to some historians, the founder of Maharsi Jamdagni comes from Ghazipur, which was not mentioned in ancient Indian history. As this period was covered with dense timber covers, various Ashrams were situated here, such as the Yamadagni Ashram (father of Parasuram) Ashram, the Parsuram Ashram, the Madan Van, etc. Approximately 16 kilometers from Ghazipur town was Maharshi Gautam’s Ashram. Gauspur is located to the east. It is about 65 km to Sarnat, where Lord Buddha became Bodhisatva or enlightened. District Varanasi is situated west of the district headquarter. During his time, the temple served as a center for preaching by Buddha. During the Buddhist era, this town was a major center. This locality was called “Chanchu” by the Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang, meaning the site of battlefields because of the numerous battles that were fought here.
Ghazipur during the Medieval Period
Its glorious history in the Mughal era is well known in the Ghazipur district. It was through this nomenclature that Saiyyad Masood Ghazi’s name was given to Ghazipur. According to Istanbul, the city was founded by Saiyyad Massod Ghazi, a man known for promoting harmony between Hindus and Muslims. The Ustad Ghazi Mashkok tradition confirms this, according to some historians. As part of the district’s studies, records reveal that Saiyyad Ali Kuli Khan is named after Zamania’s Tehsil, while Kasimabad was named after Sheikh Abdullah’s father. This district was a major city during the Sultanate period and Mughal period. Due to its position on the banks of the holy river Ganges, this is the central stopping place for emperors and their armies. Several historical sites such as Pahar Khan ka Pokhra, Nuwawali Mosque, Allahabad, and Kasimabad Forts built by Sheikh Abdullah, are examples of this region’s past. The Sultanate period includes the conquests of Banaras ( now Varanasi ) and Jaunpur by Kutubuddin Ebak in 1194 AD. This area then came under the control of Mughal emperors Babar and Humayun. Historically, Humayun crossed the river Ganges at this location (located in Sherpur Village in Muhammdabad) after he was defeated by Shreshah Suri in the battle of Chausa. In 1556 AD, Akbar won Panipat after defeating the Adil Shah in a battle of Panipat, and this place was under Taz Khan Kirani in 1552 AD.
Aliki Khan established Zamania town in Banaras and Jaunpur after winning both. Buxar and Ghazipur were taken by the British in 1764 AD; therefore, the East India Company began to rule. M. Richardson was appointed judge for the district, and Mr. Robert Warlo was made collector. There was indigo, opium, kewra, and roses cultivation in this place under British rule. An Opium Factory was established, which was a first. At present, the project is in operation and generating revenues for the government. Opium alkaloids are produced in India. Through the Bay of Bengal, these boats carried the Opium produced here in this factory to China during British rule.
Ghazipur is famous for what?
There are many reasons for Ghazipur to be known, such as the production of the unique smelling rose-scented spray, Gulab Jal, and the grave of Lord Cornwallis, the Governor-General of British India.
Where is Lord Cornwallis’s tomb?
A small town in eastern Uttar Pradesh is known as Ghazipur as the burial site of General Lord Cornwallis. Many tourists come from around the world to see this famous tomb. It has been designated a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India. He was buried in this tomb as Lord Cornwallis, British Army commander-in-chief and distinguished administrator during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In front of the Ganges River is the tomb, a dome whose 12 primary columns are built around the base. There are ornamentations on the crown that resemble army caps and floral motifs. There is a white marble burial chamber in the center that bears a bust of Lord Cornwallis and depicts a Hindu and a Muslim mourner side-by-side. Below this square raised structure, there is an epitaph in English. An inscription below in Urdu shows a European and a native soldier giving homage to the structure on its other side. A beautiful centerpiece of the gateways is spearheads, bows & arrows, swords, and inverted cannons that adorn their double stories.