Faizabad

Faizabad फ़ैज़ाबाद فیض آباد
Faizabad Location of Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh and India
Coordinates	26°47′N 82°08′E / 26.78°N 82.13°E / 26.78; 82.13
Country	India
State	Uttar Pradesh
District(s)	Faizabad
Population • Density	1,684,720 (2001[update]) • 637 /km2 (1,650 /sq mi)
Sex ratio	898/1000 ♂/♀
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	2,643 km2 (1,020 sq mi) • 97 m (318 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 224001 • Telephone • +05278 • Vehicle • UP 42
Website	faizabad.nic.in/

City of Faizabad (Hindi: फ़ैज़ाबाद, Urdu: فیض آباد)is the headquarters of Faizabad District and a municipal board in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, situated on the banks of river Ghaghra (locally known as Saryu). Faizabad has a twin city of Ayodhya,which is considered to be the birthplace of Lord Ram. It was the first capital of the Nawabs of Awadh and has many monuments built by the Nawabs of Avadh, like the tomb of Bahu Begum, Gulab-bari etc. . These twin cities have a great heritage and have many monumental sites. The city of Ayodhya is an important pilgrimage centre in Hindu belief known for its numerous Hindu temples, as well as for the disputed site of Babri Mosque. Ayodhya is also the birth place of first Tirthankar of the Jain religion, Shri Rishabh Dev,known as the father of Jain religion. The Legend of Avadh, Umrao Jaan 'Ada', was born in Faizabad (her childhood name was Ameeran). Another legend and a great Hindi writer Mr. Radhika Prasad Tripathi was from this city, his work on Sai Data Sampraday (Sai Data Sect) is greatly admired. Akhtaribai Faizabadi, or Begum Akhtar was also born in Faizabad. She was one of the best classical singer known for her performance of ghazals, dadras, thumris, etc. Among other notable people from Faizabad are Mir Anis, a nineteenth century writer of 'Marsiya' (elegies in Urdu) and Brij Narayan 'Chakbast', another nineteenth century Urdu poet. Chakbast is credited to have translated Hindu epic 'Ramayan' into Urdu for the first time.

History

The earliest reference made to Faizabad is in the Ramayana, in which the city is referred to as 'Saket', the mythical private estate of King Dashrath, father of Lord Ram. However, more accurately, the reference is found in Medieval and Modern history, when Nawab Sa'adat Khan, Burhan-ul-Mulk was given the charge of the Subah (province) of Awadh (sometimes also spelled as Avadh) around 1722 by the Mughal Court. Nawab Sa'adat Khan made the first settlements along the banks of Ghaghra with a cantonment comprising of a fortress and mud barracks. Due to these temporary dwellings, Faizabad was first known as 'Bangla' (implied meaning- hutment). The city was developed later on by Sa'adat Khan's successor, Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula into a full fledged capital city, with gardens, palaces, markets , roads and other infrastructure. Under Shuja-ud-Daula's reign Faizabad achieved its culmination as an important centre of trade and commerce in northern India and attracted travellers, writers, merchants, artists and courtesans from sll over Europe and Asia. Shuja-ud-Daula also built a fortress on the banks of Saryu after he lost the battle of Buxar in 1764. however, this fort now is nothing more than a hummock.

Faizabad was also a centre of one of many battles of the Mutiny of 1857. A detailed history of Faizabad can be read in 'Tareekh-e-Farahbaksh', written by Mohd. Faiz Baksh, (after whom Faizabad is named) a courtier in the Shuja-ud-Daula's court. This book has been translated into English by Hamid Afaq Qureshi as 'Memoirs of Faizabad'. Faizabad also finds a prominent mention in 'Guzishta Lakhnau' written by Maulvi Abdul Halim 'Sharar'. The third nawab of Awadh, Nawab Asaf-ud-Dowlah (also, Asaf-ud-Daula), shifted the Capital of Avadh to Lucknow in 1775.

A section of people believe that the Indian free fighter, Subash Chandra Bose spent his last days in Faizabad living icognito as a godman called 'Gumnami Baba'. This came under attention when 'Gumnami Baba' died in 1985 and was cremated secretively on the banks of river saryu (a memorial has been built at that place), in the dead of night, in the light of a motorcycle. Its also said that at the time of crematiuon his face was disfigured by acid to protect his identity. However, no government enquiry was launched into this matter and Gumnami Baba still remains an enigma.

Geography & Demographics

Faizabad is located at 26°47′N 82°08′E / 26.78°N 82.13°E / 26.78; 82.13^[1]. It has an average elevation of 97 metres (318 feet) above sea level. As of 2001^[update] India census^[2], Faizabad had a population of 144,924. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Faizabad has an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 76%, and female literacy is 67%. In Faizabad, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Accessibilty

Faizabad is well connected with Lucknow, Varanasi, Gorakhpur and Allahabad.

By Air Nearest airports are Lucknow (128 km) and Varanasi (200 km)

By Road Faizabad is situated on National Highway 28 and has good connectivity with Lucknow (128 km), Varanasi (200 km), Allahabad (165 km) and Gorakhpur. The state government's Road Transport Service runs regular and frequent buses to and from these cities.

By Rail The Indian Railways network connects Faizabad directly with Lucknow (3 hours.), Varanasi (4 hours.) and Allahabad (5 hours). Direct trains also connect Faizabad to Kolkata, New Delhi and Mumbai.

Climate

Summer (March to July) temperatures can range from 35 to 45 degrees Celsius. Winters (November to January) temperatures can range from 6 to 25 degrees Celsius. Rains during monsoon season (July to September).

Citiscape

Places to See

Gulab Bari: Literally meaning 'Garden of Roses', this place has a good collection of roses of various varieties set by the sides of water fountains. Gulab Bari also houses a maqbara (Mausoleum) of Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula, the second Nawab of Oudh (now Avadh) in the campus.

Military Temple: (The Dogra Regimental Centre Temple) Located in cantonment area, this temple is beautifully built and the cleanlines and the pollution free environment is just spiritual.

Guptar Ghat: the Ghat (Jetty) where Lord Rama is believed to have taken 'jal samadhi' (leaving the earth for 'Baikuntha', the divine abode of Lord Vishnu, by drowning himself). It has picturesque view of the saryu river and its green banks and has several ancient temples. The view of sunset from Guptar Ghat is breathtaking. a boat ride is a must while visiting this place.

Company Gardens : Adjoining Guptar Ghat, on the banks of River Saryu, is Company Gardens, a botanical garden built during British Rule. it has a well maintained, sprawling garden set amidst lush greenery, far away from the hustle and bustle of the town. It also has an orchard spread over acres. Plants and Trees can also be bought here. The remains of the fort built by Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula after the battle of Buxar is also within walking distance.

Ghanta Ghar: The heart of Faizabad city, houses a clock tower (Ghanta means 'clock' in Hindi and Ghar is the Hindi word for 'house') in the middle of the city center. All distances within the city are measured from this location. The place is also known as Chowk, which houses the main vegetable and spice market in the town.

Bahu Begum ka Maqbara: (The Mausoleum of the Queen Bride) the memorial built for queen of Nawab Shujah-ud-Daulah, Unmatuzzohra Bano Begum. Its one of the tallest buildings in Faizabad and is a beautiful example of non-mughal Muslim architecture. Sadly, this beautiful monument is a victim of neglect and is crumbling.

Shringi Rishi Ashram: 40 km from Faizabad in Gosainganj is ashram of Sage (Rishi in Sanskrit/Hindi) Shringi. Shringi Rishi performed 'Putrakameshti Yajya' for King Dashrath of Ayodhya, after that Lord Rama and his three brothers were born. There is an ashram of Shringi Rishi situated at Sherwaghat near Mehbubganj 40 km from Gosainganj on the banks of Sarayu river at Sherwa Ghat. Legend has it that Shringi Rishi cursed King Parikshit for his sinful conduct against rishi Lomash. The boons and curse uttered by him were proved to be absolutely true. Rishi Shringi was a distinguished expert of the super science of mantras. A temple of Shringi Rishi, is also located at Sherwaghat, and a fair is held every year in May in his honour. A cave is also located in district Faizabad near Mehbubganj Near Gosaiganj where he is supposed to have stayed. It is a long cave where he is supposed to do 'yagna' (Ritual) and is worth seeing.

Shopping

Chowk: Next to Ghanta Ghar, is the central market of Faizabad town. One can find vegetables, fruits and spices in this market. Also, there are numerous jewellery shops in the area which cater to Faizabad town and many villages which lie in near-by areas. Some leading cloth shops could be easily found in this area. This market also has many prominent books and stationary shops of the town.

Rekabgunj: About a kilometer away from Chowk (towards Lucknow) lies the Rekabgunj market which has a multitude of pharmacies. The market also has some seed shops which cater to the farmers of the adjoining regions.

Educational Institutions

There are two Universities in Faizabad District, Dr.Ram Manohar Lohia Awadh University (formerly Awadh University) Awadh University and Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology (NDUAT). Kamta Prasad Sundar Lal Saket Post-Graduate degree college, (one of the largest PG college in eastern UP) is also situated in Faizabad.

• Dr.Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University
• Forbes Inter College
• Saint Mary's School (One of the oldest school of faizabad)
• M P L L Adarsh Inter College
• Army School (Senior Secondary School, CBSE Board)
• J B Academy (Senior Secondary School, CBSE Board)
• Darsgah-e-Islami Intermediate College Faizabad
• Government Inter College
• Government Girls Inter College
• SSV Inter College
• Rajkaran Vedic Patshala Inter Collage
• Canossa Convent Girls Higher Secondary School
• Kendriya Vidyalaya, Cantonment
• Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
• Grammar High School
• Tiny Tots School (Senior Secondary School, CBSE Board)
• The Leprosy Mission, Wellesley Bailey Vocational training Centre, Faizabad.
• Anil Saraswati Vidya Mandir
• Awadh International School, Darshan Nagar
• Faizabad Public School
• Government Polytechnic Faizabad
• Sunrise Central Academy, Dufferin Hospital Road, Faizabad.

Namesakes

The Town of Fyzabad in Trinidad and Tobago is named after Faizabad, when indentured labourers from Faizabad and other districts in Uttar Pradesh were taken to the islands. There are towns with same name in Afghanistan (Fayzabad, Badakhshan) and Tajikistan (Faizobod) as well. Fayzabad in Afghanistan is the administrative headquarter of the Badakhshan Province.

References

External links

• Faizabad & Ayodhya, city guide and News portal
• Faizabad city website
• Official district web site