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HISTORY OF AZAMGARH
Origin of Name of Azamgarh:

The district is named after its headquarters town, Azamgarh, which was founded in 1665 by Azam, son of Vikramajit.
Vikramajit a descendant of Gautam Rajputs of Mehnagar in pargana Nizamabad, like some of his predecessors, had
embraced the faith of Islam. He had a Muhammadan wife who bore him 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.

ANCIENT PERIOD
Azamgarh, one of the easternmost districts of the State, once formed a part of the ancient Kosala kingdom, except the north-
eastern part of it which was included in the kingdom of Malla. Kosala figured prominently among the four powerful
monarchies of northern India during the time of the Buddha when its prosperity reached its zenith. The kingdom of Kosala
was bounded on the east by the the Ganga and the kingdom of Magadha, on the north-east by the territories of Vriji-
Lichchhavis and those of Mallas on the north by the territories of the Sakyas, on the west by Surasena and on the south and
south-west by the kingdom of Vatsa with Kausambi as its capital. The district of Azamgarh possesses hardly any remains of
much antiquarian value, and of the few that exist neither the origin nor the history is for the most part known. There are some
deserted sites, forts and tanks to be seen in every tehsil of this district and they carry vague legends regarding their builders.
The early history of the district can be traced only from the extant antiquities. That the region including this district was
inhabited in ancient times is testified by the presence of old indigenous people like Bhars or Rajbhars, Soeris and Cherus
who possibly represent the descendants of the aborigines of this area. Vestiges of numerous embankmerts, tanks, caverns
and stone forts are found in this district which still bears out their energy and skill. According to a local tradition, the country of
the Bhars, which was included in the kingdom of Ayodhya in Rama's time, was occupied by Rajbhars and Asuras. The Bhars
have left behind them large mud forts of which specimens may be seen at Harbanspur and Unchagaon near the town of
Azamgarh. The largest of the forts in the district of Azamgarh is that of Ghosi which was built by Raja Ghosh but there is a
legend that the fort was erected by Asuras or demons, which are also stated to have constructed a tunnel between Narja Tal
and the fort of Chaubhaipur and Vrindavan over a mile (1.6 km.) distant. None of the architectural remains of any importance
are found here but the well preserved ruins of a large mud fort which was discovered in 1838 A.D. lend interest and antiquity
to Ghosi. According to H. Elliot, Soeris and Cherus belonged to one family. Probably the Bhars, Soeirs and Cherus together
with other aboriginal tribes which have not been so successful in maintaining their identity was in remote period of antiquity
were only one race. A Rajbhar chief named Asildeo is said to have lived at Dihaduar in pargana Mahul of tehsil Phulpur of the
district; and the old tanks and mounds at that place are said to be signs of his power; but the Bachgoti Rajputs of Arara in
tappa Nandaon of tehsil Azamgarh claim him as their ancestor, repudiate him for the title of Rajbhar, and according to their
opinion he was an officer of a local government. Near the village of Araon Jahanianpur and Anwank in paragana Kauria there
are the ruins of two large mud forts, the first is ascribed to Ayodhya Raj, Rajbhar and the second is pointed out to belong to
raja Parikshit, it is suppose that Ayodya Raj resided in the kot of Araon-Jahanianpur, but like Asildeo he is claimed as an
ancestor by the Palwar Rajputs; and a smiler claim is made in the case of one raja Garakdeo who lived in Sagari, a tahsil
headquarters town, of the district of Azamgarh. According to another tradition , Parikhit, the elaest sun of Kuru, once
occupied tract, now called Nizamabad and old kot (at Anwank) near which the battle was fought between him and the
Muhammadans, it is supposed that the headquartes of the Bhars may have been in pargana Bhadaor, which is said to have
been called Bharaon originally and were called after them ; and the Bhar power may have extended over the parts
of Sikandarpur, both this pargana and Bhadaon having been formally pargaras of Azamgarh. The farmer inhabitants of
Pawai of this district are said to have been Rajbhar or Bhars and to the Bhars is attributed a large mud fort, the remains of
which still exist, tradition of the series to be found only in pargana Deogaon, in tehsil Lalganj, to the north of the Gangi river;
and those relating to Sengarias in the same paragana to the south of that stream.

MEDIAEVAL PERIOD
The second battle Tarain 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. In 1193 A.D. after the death of
Jayachandra the region from Varanasi to Gaya including the district of Azamgarh passed into the hands of the Muslims by
Shihab-ud-din-Muhammad Ghuri. From the establishment of the Jaunpur kingdom to its extinction, most of the tract now
included in this district fell under its rule; but no important place in this district of Azamgarh can be mentioned as having been
the seat of administration for the surrounding parganas. Azamgarh the headquarters of this district derives its name for Azam
Khan who founded it on the ruins of the village Ailwal and Phulwaria about 1665 A.D. Azamat Khan the brother of Azam Khan
built a fort and settled a bajar of Azmatgarh in pargana Sagari about the same time as that of Azamgarh. At this time
Azamgarh possesses only the ruins of the fort, constructed by Azmat. Adjoining Azmatgarh there is the great ‘Salona’,
Azamgarh Tal, which was named after Azam Khan. Azam Khan was died in Kannauj in 1675 A.D. Azmat Khan after the
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attack of Chabile Ram, fled northwards followed by the interior forces. He attempted to cross the Ghaghra into Gorakhpur but
the people on the other side opposed his landing and he was either shot in mid stream or was drowned in attempting to
escape by swimming in 1688 A.D. During Azamt's lifetime his eldest son Ekram has taken part in the management of the
state and after Azam's death he was perhaps left in possession together with Mohhabat, another son. The remaining two
sons were taken away and for a time detained as hostes for their brothers 'Good Behavior’. The successor of Ikram finally
confirmed the title of his family to the Jamidari. Ikram left no heirs and was succeeded by Iradat, son of Mohhabat, but the
real ruler all along had been Mohhabat and after Ikram's death he continued to rule in his son's name.

MODERN PERIOD
At the beginning of 18th century, the bulk of the area covered by the present district of Azamgarh was included in the sirkars
of Jaunpur and Ghazipur in the subah of Allahabd and was held by the Mohhabat Khan, popularly known as the Raja of
Azamgarh. In his time the prosperity of Azamgarh was at its zenith. On September 18, 1832 Azamgarh district was formed.
The military garrison at Azamgarh in, May 1857 consisted of the 17th Native Infantry, some 500 strong. They were brigaded
with the 19th and 34th Regiments at Lucknow. After the struggle of 1957-58 no major events except the Gaurakshini or the
anti-cow slaughter movement of 1893 occurred in the district till the close of the 19th century. The Khilafat movement started
in 1920 by the Indian Muslims to bring pressure upon Britain to change its policy towards turkey, also spread in this district. In
August 1920, Mahatma Gandhi launched his famous non-coopeartion movement, and the people of the district took part in it
under the leadership of Suryanath Singh. In 1928 when the Simon Commission visited India, demonstrations against it where
also organized in the district as elsewhere. Black flags were waved and banners with words "GO back Simon" were displayed.
Mahatma Gandhi visited Azamgarh on October 3, 1929, where he received a tumultuous ovation and addressed a meeting of
about 75,000 persons at Srikrishna Pathsala High School. He was also presented with a purse of about Rs.5000/-. Mahatma
Gandhi spoke on the uplift of Harijans, prohibition and use of swadeshi (Indian made goods). Next day he inaugurated the
Khadi Vidyalya at Azmatgarh. The visit filled the people of the district with strong national feelings. January 26,1930 , was
declared the Independence day by the Indian National Congress and thousands in Azamgarh, as everywhere else in India,
repeated the solemn and inspiring pledge, "We believe that it is the inalienable right of the Indian people to have
freedom ...........................We believe, therefore, that India must sever the British connection and attained Purana Swaraj
(complete independence)".

In March 1993 salt satyagrah was started by Mahatmagandhi and his arrest caused a great resentment among the people of
the district. The students of the local Wesely High School observed strike and about 50 students of this school were expelled.
Other Institutions also closed down and a huge procession was jointly taken out by the students and the people. The
response of the people of the Azamgarh to the Civil Disobedience Movement was enthusiastic and wide spread. British
goods were boycotted and bonfires were made for foreign clothes and western style clothes. On July 4 1930 Gandhi Day was
observed in the district condemning Mahatma Gandhi's arrest by organizing hartal (closure) and protest meetings.

In 1931, no-rent campaign was started in the district. The peasants of the tehsil of Sagari and Ghosi withheld payment of rent
to government and distributed anti-government leaflets.

The news of arrest of Mahatama Gandhi and Ballabh Bhai Patel on January 4, 1932 reached Azamgarh the nest day. There
was widespread resentment in Azamgarh where hartals were observed and processions taken out. The Government
retaliated by imposing section 144 Cr. P.C., issuing the press ordinance, the prevention of Intimidation ordinance, and the
unlawful Instigation Ordinance and declared the Congress unlawful. When the Mahatam Gandhi launched the programme of
individual satyagrah in 1940 the response of the people was once again enthusiastic and all Congress leaders of any
consequence in the district were sent to jail.

Azamgarh was in the vanguard of the Quit India Movement which was started on August 9, 1942. On that day, the district
Congress office at Azamgarh, was seized; and several arrest were made, the principal one being that of Sita Ram Ashthana.
All this naturally created excitement in the town. During the night between the 11th and 12th August, a twenty foot track of rail
was removed from a point near Sarai Mir railway station. The incidence of Tarwa thana (police out-post) had its own
importance.On the 14th August a large procession proceeded towards the thana for hoisting the tri-colour flag. The
processionists stopped in front of the Tarwa thana. Their leader went to the thanedar and advised him to surrender to the
people. Hardly did he arrive at any decision when the people caught hold of the policemen and snached their guns. The
thanedar had, therefore, no alternative but to surrender. The people assumed the control of thana but agreed to handover to
him the personal pistol of the thanedar at his expressed request, because destruction of personal property was not their aim.
In this way the thana came under the possession of the freedom fighters.More than 380 persons of the district were detained
in connection with the Quit India Movement and 231 were convicted and awarded various terms of imprisonment. The
collective fines imposed and released from the people of the district amounted to Rs.1,03,645. At last, on August 15, 1947
the country and with it the district shook of the foreign yoke and achieved the long awaited independence. The district
celebrated the Independence Day in a befitting glee and there was rejoicing in every home. National flag was hosted on the
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Collectorate building, on almost all private and government buildings and even on residential houses and commercial
establishment. Every year the day is celebrated with the same enthusiasm.

The nation always venerated those who had participated in the struggle. In 1973 on the occasion of celebration of silver
jubilee year of Independence, 472 persons of the district who have taken part in India's freedom struggle or their dependence
were favored with tamra patras (copper plate). Placing on record the services rendered by them or their forbears.

Compiled by: Khurshid Ahmad, khurshidazmi@yahoo.com

Coutesy: http://azamgarh.nic.in/