Call it Gadhipuri, not Ghazipur

Binay Singh

 

Varanasi: Would Yogi Aditynath government’s spree of renaming places continue further after giving new names to Mughalsarai (Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Nagar), Allahabad (Prayagraj) and Faizabad (Ayodhya)?

After renaming these places Yogi had already made the stand of his government very clear saying that it did what it felt good, and if needed the government would take the required steps.

Now, it is turn of Ghazipur, a town nebouring Varanasi in eastern UP. The demand of its renaming has come from an office bearer of BJP.  Naveen Srivastava, co-in charge of BJP’s UP media cell, submitted a memorandum to the deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya in this regard citing some ancient references attached to Ghazipur. In his memorandum he said that Ghazipur was known as Gadhipuri, and it was renamed after being captured by the invaders. He urged that the state government should restore its glory by naming it as Gadhipuri.

According to the government’s records, the word Ghazipur does not figure as such in ancient Indian History, but according to some historians Raja Ghadhi, father of Maharsi Jamdagni, was from this place, which was covered with dense forest in Vedic era and it was a place for Ashrams of Saints during that period. This place is related to the Ramayana period where Maharshi Yamdgni, the Father of Mahrshi Parsuram resided over here. The Famous Rishis Gautam & Chyavan were given teaching and sermon here in ancient period. The Lord Buddha gave the first sermon in Sarnath, Varanasi which is not very far from here. The Aurihar area of Ghazipur district became the main center for teaching of Lord Buddha. Many stupas and pillars are the main evidence of that period. Chinese Traveller Hiuen Tsang had visited this area and described this place as Chanchu, “the Land of Battle Fields”.

Ghazipur district is famous for it glorious history in Mughal period. Historians mentioned about its nomenclature through which Ghazipur is named after Saiyyad Masood Ghazi. Istekbal says, that Saiyyad Massod Ghazi, known for Hindu- Muslim Unity, established this city in 1330 A.D. Some historian are of the view that this is established by Ustad Ghazi Mashook. About the naming of various townships of Ghazipur records are as – Zamania Tehsil of district Ghazipur in named after Saiyyad Ali Kuli Khan, Kasimabad is established by Sheikh Abdullah after name of his father Abdul Kasim. This district was a major city during Sultanate period and Mughal period. This was a main halt for emperors and their army as it is situated on the bank of holy river Ganga. The Pahar Khan ka Pokhra, The Mosque of Nawali by Nawab Sufi and Allalabad and Kasimabad forts were established by Sheikh Abdullah give a glimpse of its past history. In Sultanate period Kutubuddin Ebak conquered Banaras (now Varanasi) and Jaunpur in 1194 AD. Thereafter Mughal emperor Babar and Humayun took over this area. A historical event of Humayun relates with this place (located in Sherpur village in Muhammdabad) in which a Bhisti made Humayun to cross the river Ganga after his being defeated in the battle of Chausa by Shreshah Suri. In 1552 AD this place was under Taz Khan Kirani and Akbar won this place after defeating the Adil Shah in battle of Panipat in 1556 AD. Alikuli khan winning Banaras and Jaunpur established the Zamania town.

In 1764 AD Britishers won Buxar and Ghazipur which was thereafter ruled by East India Company. Company posted Richardson as a judge and Robert Warlo was made the first Collector for this district. The Britishers used this place for cultivation of indigo, opium, kewra and roses. They established Opium Factory which is first of its kind. It is presently working and providing revenue to govt. of India by producing opium alkaloids. During British rule Opium manufactured in this factory was carried to China on boats through the Bay of Bengal.

This Area is fertile with great freedom fighters. The hero of the1st freedom movement (which is referred to as Sepoy Movement) Mangal Pandey comes from this soil only. The Famous Nilha Sahib Revolt is associated with this place where the farmers revolted against the British and they set on fire various Indigo Godowns. In the history of Indian national movement, the significant role was played by the people of Ghazipur. In home rule, Rolat Act, Khilafat Movement, Namak Kanoon, boycott of foreign clothes, satyagrah and movement of 1942, the people of Ghazipur took part fearlessly. After Independence, Ghazipur could not develop as it used to be in the past.