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History of Prayagraj

Allahabad is one of the oldest metropolitan cities of Northern India. Situated in the holy union of three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, the city is also known as Prayag. The city also plays an important part in Hindu scriptures. The city also has a rich history in its background. It has always held an important position in the ancient India same like it holds in the contemporary era. It was not made in one day. Different incidents of different eras have made the city what it is today. Here’s the historical timeline of Allahabad.

History of Allahabad Uttar Pradesh

Ancient History in Allahabad


Allahabad used to be known as Prayag in the ancient era. It has been found that the city has some connections with the Sapta Sindhu part of the Rigveda according to mythological reference. According to Ramayana, Lord Rama stayed in a hut in Prayag during his exile for 14 years. In the first century AD, Prayag was a part of Kushana Empire. Famous Chinese Buddhist monk Hiuen Tsang visited Prayag in 643 AD, which was the reign of king Harshavardhana.

The Turks in Allahabad


In 1193, Muhammad of Ghor took the control of Prayag and started the Turkic ruling under the Sultanate of Delhi. Around 1526, the Mughal started to invade India and Prayag became the part of Mughal Empire eventually. In 1575, Emperor Akbar built the famous Allahabad fort and renamed the town Illahabad. It was one of the greatest historical buildings made in Indian history. In 1602, prince Salim revolted against his father Akbar and started a different court and eventually went to Agra. But finally Akbar officially made Salim his successor and Salim ruled under the name emperor Jahangir.

The Marathas in Allahabad


The Maratha empire controlled the city for a brief period. They made two extremely beautiful temples which are considered as precious Indian heritages in present day.

British Era in Allahabad


In 1765, when Mughal emperor Shah Alam II and Nawab of Awadh couldn’t prevent the British winning the Buxar battle, the city of Allahabad started falling in the British hands. The East India Company took over the city in 1801. In 1834, the British made Allahabad the government seat of Agra province and formed a high court which was relocated to Agra just after a year. Allahabad played an important role during the Indian mutiny in 1857. A new state was formed by merging Agra and Oudh and Allahabad was the capital of it till the year 1920.

Freedom Struggle in Allahabad


Allahabad had one small garrison of European troops during the time of Mutiny in 1857 because of which the rebels took it over their control. The British rulers founded the high court, headquarters of the police and public service commission in the city in the post mutiny era which made the city a centre of administration. When the Indian National Congress did their fourth and eighth session in Allahabad in 1888 and 1892 the city became a place for the revolutionaries. Famous freedom fighter Chandrashekhar Azad killed himself surrounded by the police in the year 1931 at the Alfred Park in Allahabad. The first idea of breaking India into Pakistan was also formed in this city. Post independence some areas from Bagelkhand were merged with Allahabad district which are still quite a part of it.

Overall, this city is one historical paradise and a lot of people who crave history come to visit this place every year around.

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