Saturday, February 18, 2012

Story of Allahabad City

Allahabad, a part of Doab area is one of the most prominent cities of Uttar Pradesh state in India. River Ganges and River Yamuna flow through three sides of the town. This is a holy place of Hindus because they believe the unseen River Saraswati joins here. The ancient name of Allahabad city is Prayag which means the spot of sacrifice.

The remains of Iron Age, the black polished ware were found in the excavations performed near this area. This spot is mentioned in Vedas and Puranas. While the Aryans initially settled in Aryavarta, a branch of these people called Vatsa dominated Hastinapur. Following the destruction of Hastinapur as a result of floods, the new city of Kaushambi was founded where the present day Allahabad city lies. The historic name of the Allahabad came under the rule of the Mauryan empire and after that the Gupta Empire. The historical name of the town was Prathisthana and it had been believed to be ruled by the Chandrawanshi dynasty. After that it was ruled by the Kushan Empire in first century A.D. followed by the rule of Kannauj Empire. Huen Tsang, the Chinese traveler who visited India during the seventh century had mentioned in his books that he had seen Allahabad in 643 A.D.

Mohammed Ghori included Allahabad to Delhi Sultanate in 1193 A.D. In the year 1526, it became a portion of Mughal Empire. The Mughal Emperor Akbar built a massive fortification around the banks of the river Sangam in 1575 and called the city as Illahabad. This name later evolved into Allahabad. Prince Salim who revolted against his father Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1602, stayed at the fortress in Allahabad city. It was Prince Salim who was referred to as Jahangir later on. While Akbar died in 1605, he named Jahangir his successor.

Allahabad was visited by the 9th Sikh guru, Tej Bahadur to preach the religion in 1666. Before Allahabad came under the control of English, it was ruled over by Marathas. The Maratha kings constructed temples and other structures. The Nawab of Oudh along with the Mughal King Shah Alam II lost to British in the Battle of Buxar in the year 1765. The city of Allahabad was grabbed from the Mughals and offered to Nawab of Oudh by the British General Warren Hastings. In the year 1801, Nawab gave the control of the town to the British East India Company. The capital city of Agra Province had been moved from Agra to Allahabad plus a High Court was established here in the year 1834.


After the Great Revolt of 1857, the capital of the North Western Provinces was shifted to Allahabad. Oudh and Agra were combined to make the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh in the year 1877 and Allahabad was made its capital. The 4th and the eighth sessions of the Indian National Congress were organized in Allahabad city in the year 1888 and 1892 respectively.

On eighteenth February 1911, the first commercial flight of India flew from Allahabad to Naini carrying the first airmail. In 1931, the revolutionary leader Chandrasekhar Azad killed himself in this spot. It is one of these four areas in India in which Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years. Following the independence of India, it became a portion of Uttar Pradesh and had become one of the fastest growing cities of India. During the time period of Kumbh Mela countless men and women gather at this place. The Allahabad photos and Allahabad videos are probably the most favored during that time.

Suhaina Mazhar is a freelance author and blogger and has authored thousands of original articles. Click the link to uncover exciting information about Allahabad and watch Allahabad photos and Allahabad videos.



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