Ghazipur - History

History

As per the verbal and folk history. Ghazipur was covered with dense forest during the Vedic era and it was a place for ashrams of saints during that period. The place is related to the Ramayana period. Maharshi Jamadagni, the father of Maharshi Parashurama, is said to have resided here. The famous Gautama Maharishi and Chyavana were given teaching and sermon here in ancient period. Lord Buddha gave his first sermon in Sarnath, which is not far from the here. The Aurihar region of Ghazipur became the main centre of teachings of Lord Buddha. Many stupas and pillars are the main evidence of that period. Chinese traveller Hieun Tsang visited this area and has described this place as Chanchu "Kingdom of the Lord of battles."

Its ancient name of Gadhipuri or Gadhipur was renamed to Ghazipur about 1330, after Ghāzī Malik, a Muslim ruler of the Tughluq dynasty, who ruled this area.

The first Scientific Society of India was established first in Ghazipur in 1862 by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan for propagating modern Western knowledge of science, technology and industry. It was a departure from the past in the sense that education made a paradigm shift from traditional humanities and related disciplines to the new field of science and agriculture. Some current institution like Technical Education and Research Institute (TERI), a post-graduate college, in the city, takes their inspiration from that first Society.

The region has been active in India Independence Movement. The celebrated hero of First War of Independence (which is also referred as Sepoy Mutiny) Mangal Pandey belonged to that time of Ghazipur district area (now part of Ballia). The famous Raju Baxi revolt is also associated with this place where the farmers revolted against the British and set fire to several indigo godowns. This place has played a significant role in the Indian National movement. During the Home Rule movement and the Quit India movement people of Ghazipur took part courageously and fearlessly. During Quit India movement, Birpur is historical place of India where many warriors were born. On 18 August 1942 a group of freedom fighters of Sherpur Village under the leadership of Dr Shiv Pujan Rai hoisted the Tricoloure at Mohammadabad Tehsil.

In 1330 AD, when Sultan Mohd. Saani bin Tughlaq became the King and ascended the throne of Delhi, he appointed Janab Syed Masud as his ‘ Moqarrib’. Mohd. Tughlaq left for Deccan after appointing Firoz Shah Tughlaq, his cousin, as his deputy at Delhi. At that time Raj Mandhata was the ruler of Kashtut (Kathaut) a place near Ghazipur (Eastern U.P.). Raja was hostile to the Delhi kingdom. Syed Masud Al-Husaini, along with his seven sons and 40 champions left Delhi and came to Ghazipur as per the command of King Firoz Shah to rescue a young unmarried girl from the captivity of the Raja. Battle was fought and the ruler was defeated. Syed Masud was appointed as ruler and administrator of the place. He was conferred the title of ‘Ghazi’ by the king Firoz Shah Tughlaq. Syed Masud founded a new city in 1330 AD. It was called Ghazipur. He died on 31.03.1366 AD and is buried in Ghazipur.* His grave is in Mohalla Harishankari. His son, Syed Raje, who was killed while fighting the army of Raja’s nephew in 1330 A.D. is also buried there. In Ghazipur one Mohalla is known as “Syedwara” and one riverbank is called Masudi Ghat. He had seven sons and distributed the areas under his control among his sons for administrative convenience and himself settled down in Ghazipur city. His descendants were later called 'Syeds of Ghazipur' as described in the research work of S. M. Taqi Husaini's genealogical tree of Syed Masud Al-Husaini.

His descendants and other followers of Imam Husain (Mohammad's grandson) observe Moharram in Ghazipur City and many villages of Ghazipur till date, like Mahend, Nonhera, Para, Baghui Buzurg, Ganguli, Kamoonpur, Zahoorabad, Chavanpur, Tajpur, Mohammadpur, Hunderhi, Husainpur, Arzanipur, Mulnapur, Zangipur, Deokathia, Susandi, Hainsi, Jalalabad, Damodarpur, Mata, Sauram, Sadat, Bathor, Chilbiliya, Daraspur, Tendva, Yusufpur, etc.Mahend is great village of them

Mohammad Hamid Ansari,the current and 12th Vice-President of India has his roots in Ghazipur.