Azamgarh

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Azamgarh आज़मगढ़ اعظم گڑھ
—  city  —
Azamgarh Location of Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh and India
Coordinates	26°04′N 83°11′E / 26.06°N 83.19°E / 26.06; 83.19Coordinates: 26°04′N 83°11′E / 26.06°N 83.19°E / 26.06; 83.19
Country	India
State	Uttar Pradesh
District(s)	Azamgarh
Population • Density	(2011[update]) • 1,139 /km2 (2,950 /sq mi)
Sex ratio	1000/1020 ♂/♀
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	4,053 square kilometres (1,565 sq mi) • 64 metres (210 ft)
Codes • Telephone • ++91546 • Vehicle • UP 50
Website	http://azamgarh.nic.in/

Azamgarh is a town in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is headquarters of Azamgarh district and Azamgarh Division.

History

Azamgarh, one of the easternmost districts of the State, once formed a part of the ancient Kosala kingdom, except the north-eastern part of it which was included in the kingdom of Malla. Kosala figured prominently among the four powerful monarchies of northern India during the time of the Buddha when its prosperity reached its zenith. The kingdom of Kosala was bounded on the east by the Ganges and the kingdom of Magadha, on the north-east by the territories of Vriji-Lichchhavis and those of Mallas on the north by the territories of the Sakyas, on the west by Surasena and on the south and south-west by the kingdom of Vatsa with Kausambi as its capital.

The district of Azamgarh possesses hardly any remains of much antiquarian value. Of the few that exist, neither the origin nor the history are known, for the most part. There are some deserted sites, forts and tanks to be seen in every tehsil of this district, and they carry vague legends regarding their builders. The early history of the district can be traced only from the extant antiquities.

According to a local tradition, the country of the Bhars, which was included in the kingdom of Ayodhya in Rama's time, was occupied by Rajbhars and Asuras.

Medieval period

The second battle Tarain in 1192 A.D. established the Islamic power in India, but the region including the district of Azamgarh does not appear to have been subject to the sovereignty of the Muslims immediately. In 1193 A.D. after the death of Jayachandra, the region from Varanasi to Gaya including the district of Azamgarh passed into the hands of the Muslims by Shihab-ud-din-Muhammad Ghuri. From the establishment of the Jaunpur kingdom to its extinction, most of the tract now included in this district fell under its rule, but no important place in this district of Azamgarh can be mentioned as having been the seat of administration for the surrounding parganas.

The headquarters of the district derives its name for Azam Khan who founded it on the ruins of the village Ailwal and Phulwaria about 1665 A.D. Azamat Khan, the brother of Azam Khan, built a fort and settled a bajar of Azmatgarh in pargana Sagari about the same time as that of Azamgarh. Only the ruins of the fort constructed by Azmat remain in Azamgarh. Adjoining Azmatgarh there is the great 'Salona', Azamgarh Tal, which was named after Azam Khan.

Azam Khan died in Kannauj in 1675 A.D. After the attack of Chabile Ram, Azmat Khan fled northwards followed by the interior forces. He attempted to cross the Ghaghra into Gorakhpur, but the people on the other side opposed his landing, and he was either shot in mid stream or was drowned in attempting to escape by swimming.

In 1688 A.D. during Azamt's lifetime, his eldest son Ekram took part in the management of the state, and after Azam's death he was perhaps left in possession together with Mohhabat, another son. The remaining two sons were taken away and for a time detained as hostages for their brothers' 'good behaviour'.

The successor of Ikram finally confirmed the title of his family to the Jamidari. Ikram left no heirs and was succeeded by Iradat, son of Mohhabat, But the real ruler all along had been Mohhabat, and after Ikram's death, he continued to rule in his son's name. This city is known for its unique kind of fabrics.

Important places

Azamgarh

The principal town of the district also gives its name to the district headquarter and forms a tahsil named Sadar. The city was founded around 1665 by one Azam Khan son of Bikramjit. The old fort of Azam Shah is on the bank of river Tamsa in east of city. There are two boys' degree colleges (D.A.V. Degree College and Shibli National P. G. College),^[1] and one girls' degree college (Agrashen Girls Degree College). Shri Durgaji Post Graduate Degree College, Chandeshar is on the Azamgarh-Ghazipur road. The agricultural and homoeopathic medical college is also here.^[2] Shibli Library, a famous Urdu library, is located at Shibli Academy. The Kunwar Singh Park is situated in the city. Azamgarh is famous for its Education system, with Children College and Jyoti Niketan providing English Medium education and Shibli College providing Higher Education. Azamgarh lacks industries and its basic income comes from Agriculture. Most of the people from educated background leaves azamgarh for metro Cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Educated and Labour class has strong presence in Gulf countries from this Area.

Mubarakpur

The place is famous for the manufacturing of saris (a traditional dress for women in Uttar Pradesh). They are famous by the brand name Benarasi saris. It is located at a distance of 14 km north-east of the district headquarters in Azamgarh.^[3] Mubarakpur is also famous for education Qazi Ather Mubarkpuri born in mubarkpur Jamia Arabaia Ahyauloloom and Jamitul Ashrafia is loacated on mubarkpur^[4]

Nizamabad

The famous Gurudwara possessing a pair of wooden slippers and a dagger said to be of Guru Nanak who once visited the place is situated here.^[5]

Durvasa

This place is situated on the sangam of Tons and Majhuee river which is 6 km north from the headquarters of Phulpur Tehsil. It is famous for the Ashram of Durvasa Rishi where thousands of students used to come to gain the knowledge.^[6] The place is also famous for a fair held every year on the occasion of Kartik Purnima.10 km east from durvasa patwadh sarai is situated. A village named Pandeychawar is located here.

Dattatreya

This place is situated on the sangam of Tons and Kunwar river, 3 km south-west of Nijambad Tehsil headquarters. There is an ashram of Dattatreya Rishi where people used to come to achieve knowledge and peace. On the day of Shivratri, a fair is organized.

Govindsahab

Mahatma Govind Sahab worshipped here.^[6] This place is 6 km from the Atraulia Block. A large fair is held here on the day of Agahan sudi Dashmi, in which cattle like cows, bulls, buffalo, camels, horses, donkeys and elephants, are bought and sold. The fair lasts about one month.

Avantikapuri (Awank)

This place is situated in the Muhammadpur development block. Tradition says that Raja Janmejai organized Yagya for killing all snakes on the earth. The temple and ponds of this place are famous. People come here to take a holy dip in the pond.^[6]

Geography and topography

Azamgarh has an average elevation of 64 metres (209 feet).^[7] Azamgarh consists of a series of parallel ridges, whose summits are depressed into beds or hollows, along which the rivers flow; while between the ridges are low-lying rice lands, interspersed with numerous natural reservoirs. The soil is fertile, and very highly cultivated, bearing magnificent crops of rice, sugar-cane, wheat and orchards of mango and guava.

Connectivity

By road

Azamgarh connected to Lucknow 268 km and Delhi 761 km connected to Varanasi, Jaunpur, Mau and all place in State & country.

By train

Azamgarh is most Important Station as a Indian Railway website. Azamgarh is direct connected to Delhi by kaifiyat express and direct connected to Mumbai by Godaan express, Ahmedabad, state capital Lucknow, Jaipur, Ajmer, and Amritsar. Buses regularly travel between Azamgarh and the capital, Lucknow.

By air

In Azamgarh no Airport but there is one Runway between Kandhrapur to Manduri nearest airport is Lal Bahadur Shashtri International Airport commonly known as Babatpur Airport is located at a distance of 100 km from Azamgarh.

Demographics

As of 2011^[update] India census,^[8] Azamgarh has a population of 46,16,509. Males constitute 22,89,336 of the population and females 23,27,172. With regards to Sex Ratio in Azamgarh, it stood at 1017 per 1000 male compared to 2001 census figure of 1020. The average national sex ratio in India is 940 as per latest reports of Census 2011 Directorate. Azamgarh has an average literacy rate of 62%. 22% of the population is under 6 years of age. Azamgarh is the fourth most populous city in Uttar Pradesh. The largest part of the community belongs to the Hindu religion. Muslims account for nearly 15% of the district population. The majority of the Muslims in the district belong to the Sunni sect. Among them the most numerous are Julahas or weavers. There are minorities of other religions including Sikhism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Jainism.

Literacy

Average literacy rate of Azamgarh in 2011 were 72.69 compared to 56.95 of 2001. If things are looked out at gender wise, male and female literacy were 83.08 and 62.65 respectively. For 2001 census, same figures stood at 71.04 and 43.40 in Azamgarh District. Total literate in Azamgarh District were 2,860,821 of which male and female were 1,606,696 and 1,254,125 respectively. In 2001, Azamgarh District had 1,790,357 in its total region.

Culture

Azamgarh's culture is a reflection of the Avadh culture of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Since Azamgarh lies in the eastern part of the Uttar Pradesh, the traditional language is Bhojpuri or Purvi.

List of theatres

• Vishal Talkies
• Murli Talkies
• Durga Chitra Mandir
• Sharda Takies
• Bajrang Nizamabaad
• Shivam Palace Saraimeer
• Shiv Palace Phoolpur
• Vijay Palace
• Vaishno Talkies
• Gita Chitra Mandir Mehnagar
• Gaurav Chitra Mandir Lalganj
• Prakash Takies Mubarakpur
• Yugal Takies Mubarakpur
• Trimurti Mubarakpur

Pharmacy colleges

1. Pharmacy College Azamgarh
2. RK.Pharmacy College Azamgarh

Medical colleges

• Government Homeopathic Medical College Azamgarh
• Children Institute of Medical college (Dental College) Azamgarh
• Government Medical college ChakarPanpur Azamgarh

Notable people

• Shibli Nomani (Muslim writer, educationist, poet)
• Hamiduddin Farahi (Muslim theologian)
• Maulana Wahiduddin Khan (Muslim scholar)
• Mirza Aslam Baig (former Chief of Army Staff Pakistan and Director General of ISI)
• Rahul Sankrityayan (Hindi/Sanskrit scholar)
• Kaifi Azmi (Urdu poet)
• Ram Naresh Yadav (politician, former U.P. Chief Minister, Governor of Madhya Pradesh )
• Shabana Azmi (Bollywood film actress, politician)
• Abu Asim Azmi (politician)
• Shamim Jairajpuri (zoologist and academic known for contributions to nematology)
• Maulana Aslam Jairajpuri (Islamic scholar)
• Qamaruzzaman Azmi (Muslim scholar, writer and educationalist)
• Shaikh Shamim Ahmed (politician, ex M.L.A Mumbai)
• Prem Chand Pandey (scientist, founder director National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Goa)
• Waqar Azmi (UK Prime Minister's Chief Diversity Adviser)
• Amar Singh (politician and businessman)
• Laxmi Narayan Mishra (playwright of Hindi)
• Abu Salem (criminal, convicted for the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case and killing of India's music baron Gulshan Kumar in 1997)
• Nagendra Kumar Singh (professor, agriculture scientist, ICAR)

References

External links

• Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections
• Azamgarh Assembly Elections
• District Website