Azamgarh

Azamgarh

Azamgarh
आज़मगढ़, Aryamgarh
اعظم گڑھ
Azamgarh Azamgarh आज़मगढ़, Aryamgarh; اعظم گڑھ
city

Azamgarh (Hindi: आज़मगढ़, Urdu: اعظم گڑھ) a town and the headquarters of the district of Azamgarh in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.

Like most big settlements of Northern India, Azamgarh too is situated on the banks of a river—in this case on the banks of Tons River.

History

Azamgarh was founded around 1665, by a powerful landlord named Azam Khan son of Vikramajit. Vikramajit had two sons Azam and Azmat. While Azam gave his name to the town of Azamgarh, and the fort, Azmat constructed the fort and settled the bazar of Azmatgarh in pargana Sagri located about 15 kilometers away.

India's Freedom Struggle

Azamgarh has the distinction of participating in every small and big struggle to free India from its colonial rulers. The Great Historian, Writer, Social Reformer, Nationalist Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan played a major role in Indian Freedom Struggle. He have been arrested and jailed for three Years for creating Anti-British Writings and speeches. Both Hindu and Muslim landowners (known as Rautaras) of Azamgarh aided and abetted the mutiny and rebellion against the British in 1857. On the 3rd of June 1857 the 17th Regiment of Native Infantry mutinied at Azamgarh, murdered some of their officers, and carried off the government treasure to Fayzabad. The district became a centre of the fighting between the Gurkhas and the rebels, and was not finally cleared until October 1858 by Colonel Kelly. Later, many of the local land owners were crushed by the British.^[1] Later, residents of Azamgarh actively participated in various national movements including the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Quit India Movement in 1942.^[2]

Center of learning

Azamgarh became a center of learning with the founding of Shibli National College, by the Muslim theoligan Shibli Nomani. Around 1883 Nomani, inspired by the works of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan of Aligarh Muslim University, established a college drawing scholars from all parts of Uttar Pradesh (then United Province) and northern India. Allama Shibli Nomani established an academy, now known as Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy, prior to his death in 1914. Darul Musannefin (house of writers) brings out a literary monthly journal in Urdu, Ma'arif.

Geography and Topography

Azamgarh is located at 26°04′N 83°11′E / 26.06°N 83.19°E / 26.06; 83.19.^[3] It has an average elevation of 64 metres (209 feet). 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

Azamgarh is well connected to other parts of the state, and the recent launch of direct train connections with Mumbai and Delhi have made this town more accessible.

Demographics

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[4] Azamgarh had a population of 104,943. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Azamgarh has an average literacy rate of 78.89%. 19% of the population is under 6 years of age. The main Muslim biradaris in the district are the Ansari, Khanzada and Zamindara.

Culture

Azamgarh's culture is a reflection of the Avadh culture of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The people are simple but have great taste of food, clothing and manners. The language they speak is a colloquial Urdu and Hindi with a touch of Bhojpuri in it.