Azamgarh District

Azamgarh lies in the eastern most part of Uttar Pradesh. Azamgarh is rich in cultural and religious activities. The traditional language is Bhojpuri or Purvi. District of Azamgarh is named after its headquarter Azamgarh which was founded by Azam, son of Vikramajit in the year 1665. Azamgarh district was formed in the year 1832.

The district of Azamgarh is situated on the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. At 25°38 to 26°27 north and 82°40 to 83°52 east. The district is bounded by Mau district in the East, Gorakhpur in the North, Ghazipur in the South-East, Jaunpur in the South- West, Sultanpur in the West and Ambedkar Nagar in the North West.

District of Azamgarh is named after its headquarter Azamgarh which was founded by Azam, son of Vikramajit in the year 1665. Vikramajit descendent of Rajputs of Mehnagar in paragana Nizamabad, he had also embraced religion of Islam like some of his predecessors did. History of Azamgarh can be divided in three parts i.e. Ancient history, medieval history and Modern history.

Ancient: Azamgarh once formed the part of kosala,which was an ancient state of northern India, except the north east part of it which included in the kingdom of Malla. Kosala was  prominently among the four powerful monarchies of northern India during the time of Lord Buddha when its prosperity reached its peak. The district of Azamgarh does not possess any remains of much historical value there are some deserted sites forts tanks to be seen in every tehsil of Azamgarh district the early history of Azamgarh can be traced only from the extent antiquities. That the region including the district was inhabited in ancient times is testified by the presence of old indigenous people like Bhar, Soeries and Cheru.

Medieval: According to medieval period the second battle of terrain in 1192 A.D established the Islamic power in India but the region including the district of Azamgarh does not appear to have gone under the immediate sovereignty of the Muslims. Since the establishment of Jaunpur kingdom till its extinction, most of the tract now included in this district fell under its rule but no important place in Azamgarh district can be mentioned as having seen the seat of administration for the surrounding parganas.

Modern: At the beginning of 18th century the area covered by Azamgarh district included in Jaunpur and Ghazipur and was held by the raja of Azamgarh at this time the prosperity of Azamgarh was at its top. Further as per the history on 18th September 1832 Azamgarh district was formed. But after the struggle of 1857 no major events were noticed except the Gaurakshini or the Anti cow slaughter movement of 1893 occurred in the district till the end of 19th century. In 1920 The Khilafat movement started and its impact also spread in this district. In August 1920 Mahatma Gandhi launched his famous non cooperation movement and the people of this district actively took part in it under the leadership of Suryanath Singh.

In 1931, no rent campaign was started in the district Azamgarh was in the front line of the Quit India movement which was started on August 9, 1942. Thus history of Azamgarh district shows that this district played the great role in the freedom struggle of the country.

Azamgarh is an administrative district of Uttar Pradesh with its HQ at Azamgarh. District has a strong agricultural base whereas the industrial base is not so strong, however Handloom and Power loom sector is very important industry of the area. Besides pottery is the oldest industry which still contributes substantially to the economic life of the people here.

 
Azamgarh City, Maharajganj, Mubarakpur, Mehnagar, Nizamabad, Durvasa, Dattatreya, Govindsahab, Avantikapuri (Awank).

By air: Azamgarh has a new airport Manduri Airport. The nearest big airport is 100 Km away that is Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport  (Varanasi).

By train: Azamgarh station is one of the most important of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Azamgarh is also directly connected to Delhi by Kaifiyat express, to Ahmedabad, to Mumbai by Godaan express, the state capital Lucknow, Ajmer, and Amritsar and jaipur.

By road: Azamgarh is connected with Lucknow  and Delhi by road. One of the biggest bus depots of eastern Uttar Pradesh is in the district and regular bus services to almost all district headquarters of Uttar Pradesh and also to Delhi.