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Ghazipur गाज़ीपुर غازیپور
City
The Tomb of Lord Cornwallis, Governor-General of British India
Country	India
State	Uttar Pradesh
District	Ghazipur
Government
• Type	Municipal Council
• Body	Ghazipur Municipal Council
• Chairman	Vinod Kumar Agrawal
Area
• Total	20 km (8 sq mi)
Population
• Total	121,136
• Rank	391
• Density	6,056/km (15,680/sq mi)
• Sex ratio	902 ♀/♂
Demonym	Ghazipuri
Languages
• Official	Hindi
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	233001
Telephone code	91-548
Vehicle registration	UP 61
Website	www.ghazipur.nic.in
Famous for Ghats, Opium Factory and Flower Business

Ghazipur (Template:Lang-hi, Template:Lang-ur, previously spelled Ghazeepore, Gauspur, and Ghazipour), is a city and municipal corporation in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Ghazipur city is the administrative headquarters of the Ghazipur district, one of the four districts that form the Varanasi division of Uttar Pradesh. The city of Ghazipur also constitutes one of the five distinct tehsils, or subdivisions, of the Ghazipur district. Hindu tradition associates Ghazipur with a Raja Gaadhi, father of Vishwamitra Maharshi, the great rishi regarded as a Hindu saint, but although the area was an administrative center since the Gupta Empire, Ghazipur probably derives its name from the sayyid Masud, given the title Ghazi, who defeated the local Raja and established a town around 1330 CE. Located by the Ganges, Ghazipur was a strategically important river port during the British rule of India.

Ghazipur is well known for its opium factory, established by the British East India Company in 1820 and still the biggest legal opium factory in the world, producing the drug for the global pharmaceutical industry. The city's perfume industry, especially its production of rose oil and attar of roses has also long been famous. A Ghazipur firm won a medal for these products at the British Empire Exhibition, and the perfume industry remains important. Other important constituents of the city's commercial life include handloom weaving factories, and Ghazipur's role as the market town for its surrounding rural and farming areas.

Sights in the city include several monuments built by Nawab Shaikh Abdulla, or Abdullah Khan, a governor of Ghazipur during the Mughal Empire in the eighteenth century, and his son. These include the palace known as Chihal Satun, or "forty pillars", which retains a very impressive gateway although the palace is in ruins, and the large garden with a tank and a tomb called the Nawab-ki-Chahar-diwari. The mosque near this tomb was probably originally a Hindu building. The road that starts at the Nawab-ki-Chahar-diwari tomb and runs past the mosque leads, after 10 km, to a matha devoted to Pavhari Baba. The tank and tomb of Pahar Khan, faujdar of the city in 1580, and the plain but ancient tombs of the founder, Masud, and his son are also in Ghazipur, as is the tomb of Lord Cornwallis, one of the major figures of Indian and British history. Cornwallis is famous for his role in the American Revolutionary War, and then for his time as Governor-General of India, being said to have laid the true foundation of British rule. He was later Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, there suppressing the 1798 Rebellion and establishing the Act of Union. He died in Ghazipur in 1805, soon after his returning to India for his second appointment as Governor-General. His tomb, overlooking the Ganges, is a heavy dome supported on 12 Doric columns above a cenotaph carved by John Flaxman. The remains of an ancient mud fort also overlook the river, while there are many beautiful or impressive ghats leading to the Ganges, the oldest of which is the ChitNath Ghat.

Ghazipur is nearest to the UP-Bihar border. The home tongue at the place is Bhojpuri. Ghazipur UP borders the important spiritual city of Varanasi and is located about 80 km east of Varanasi UP and 50 km from Buxar which is the entry point of Bihar state.

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."

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.

Geography

Ghazipur is located at 25°35′N 83°34′E / 25.58°N 83.57°E / 25.58; 83.57. It has an average elevation of 62 metres (203 feet). The city of Ghazipur is located in the middle Ganges valley of North India, in the eastern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh, along the left is bank of the Ganges river. It is the headquarters of the Ghazipur district. The city nearly stretches parallel to the river Ganges. Its neighbouring cities are Varanasi, Jaunpur, Buxar in Bihar, Ballia, Mau, Chandauli and Azamgarh. Initially Ballia and Mau were part of Ghazipur district but latter were made separate districts. Being located in the plains of the Ganges, the soil is alluvial type and is fertile because of low level floods continually replenish the soil. This makes agriculture the most important profession of the people. The town is predominantly agrarian and so is the economy. The district is divided into four major sub parts. Ghazipur has a humid subtropical climate with large variations between summer and winter temperatures. Summers are long, from early April to October, with intervening monsoon seasons. Cold waves from the Himalayan region cause temperatures to dip across the city in the winter from December to February. The temperature ranges between 32 °C–46 °C (90 °F–115 °F) in the summers, and 2 °C–15 °C (41 °F–59 °F) in the winters. The average annual rainfall is 1110 mm (44 in).. Fog is common in the winters, while hot dry winds, called loo, blow in the summer.

Demographics

As per provisional data of 2011 census, Ghazipur urban agglomeration had a population of 121,136, out of which males were 63,689 and females were 57,447. Males constituted 52.57% of the population while females constituted 47.43% of the population. The literacy rate of Ghazipur urban agglomeration was 84.97% (higher than the national average of 74.04%) of which male literacy was 90.23% and female literacy was 79.17%.Sex ratio of Ghazipur urban agglomeration was found to be 902. Ghazipur urban agglomeration consist of Ghazipur, Kapoorpur, Mishrolia Madhopur, and Razdepur.

As of 2011 India census, Ghazipur city had a population of 1,10,698, out of which males were 58,126 and females were 52,572. Males constituted 52.5% of the population and females constituted 47.5% of the population. Ghazipur has an average literacy rate of 85.46% (higher than the national average of 74.04%) of which male literacy is 90.61% and female literacy is 79.79%. 11.46% of the population is under 6 years of age and the sex ratio is 904.

Literature and Celebs

Ghazipur is one of the most eastern district of Uttar Pradesh in India. The place has been notably famous for its literary contribution to India and to the world as a whole, in the field of literature. Major names include Dr. Raahi Masoom Raza, Dr. Kuber Nath Rai, Dr. Viveki Rai, Pt. Ravi Shankar, Pt. Uday Shankar, Zafar, Satara Devi, Nazir Hussain.

Amongst the people stated above, Dr. Raahi Masoom Raza is famous for being the dialogue writer of the first Mahabharata aired on Doordarshan. He also authored 'Neem Ka Ped', another serial on DD National. Gopal Ram Gahmari- Born in 1856 in Village Gahmar was a famous detective novel writer of the district. He also wrote other types of novel Chatura Chanchla, Madhvi, Kankara, Bhanumati.

Trade and Industries

A larger percentage of the population lives in the rural area. The Municipal Area is small as compared to other cities nearby. It is poorly developed despite being a very important city which was also a Port City under British rule. A military cantonment built by the British now houses a college and a colony for administrative officers and their subordinates.

The airport of Ghazipur was a commanding airport of most of the eastern part of the upper and western part of Bihar in those days, but now it remains vacant and is used when for VIP arrivals to Ghazipur or nearby areas. It is situated on the outer side of the city and is poorly maintained. Although being centrally located and near to Varansi, Ghazipur is lying quite low in terms of standard of living and education along with employment. People are either working as farmers or trying to go to Gulf countries, there is not any scope for them apart from migrating from their native places. The Government must start taking some urgent initiatives to stop the migration and provide proper oppurtunites to its people.

Ghazipur Opium Factory

The opium factory located in the city was established by the British and continues to be a major source of opium production in India. It is known as the Opium Factory Ghazipur or, more formally, the Government Opium and Alkaloid Works. It is the largest factory of its kind in the country and indeed the world. The factory was initially run by the East India Company and was used by the British during the First and Second Opium Wars with China. The factory as such was founded in 1820 though the British had been trading Ghazipur opium before that. Nowadays its output is entirely above board, controlled legally by the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act and Rules (1985) and administratively by the Indian government Ministry of Finance, overseen by a committee and a Chief Controller. The factory's output serves the global pharmaceutical industry. Until 1943 the factory only produced raw opium extracts from .

Constituencies

Lok Sabha Parliamentary constituencies and the Vidhan Sabha Legislative Assembly constituencies after delimitation. 75-Ghazipur Lok Sabha and 74- Ballia Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha-373 Jakhania, 374 Saidpur (SC), 375 Ghazipur Sadar, 376 Jangipur (SC), 379 Zamania, Mohammadabad and Zahoorabad. The latter two are shifted to Ballia Lok Sabha. Earlier Saidpur, (Ghazipur) Lok sabha seat, Dildarnagar & Sadat seat of vidhan Sabha were also in existence, but they are demolished under new parameters.

Rails, roads, waterways and airport

Ghazipur is the major railhead of the North Eastern Railway Zone, Varanasi Division. Ghazipur City station serves as major railway station of city. Ghazipur Ghat is a halt station situated 7 km from city. Tari Ghat station of ECR, Danapur Division near city approx. 10 km byroad connects Ghazipur to Mughalsarai by a routine passenger train. Dildarnagar ECR on Delhi-Patna-Howrah route and Aurihar Jn (N.E. Railway) on Varanasi-Ghazipur and Varanasi-Gorakhpur route are important Junctions.

Ghazipur is directly connected by Lucknow, New Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati, Amritsar, Chennai by routine trains. Pawan Express, Ganga Kaveri Express, Dibrugarh Express, Harihar Express, Sadbhawna Express, Swatantra Senani and Sarnath Express are some important trains from Ghazipur City Station. Railway Station--Ghazipur City Railway Station is the most important station in district. Dildarnagar Jn, Zamania and Aurihar Jn also serves as good stations. Yusufpur, Sadat, Dullahpur, Jakhania and Ghazipur Ghat are others small stations which serves for a mass of population. Saidpur, Karimuddinpur, Gahmar, Nandganj are also some stations connected by routine trains between Varanasi-Ghazipur-Chappra route and Mughalsarai-Patna route. There is no major railway station in the district and mostly people are forced to go to nearby Buxar station. If the government can make the existing stations a bit more modern and major trains start having stoppages in them then it would become quite convenient for the local people.

Waterways

Ghazipur is an important waterway port on river Ganges between Haldia to Allahabad.

Transport

In city, mainly auto rickshaws and rickshaws are primary mode of transport. Taxis are even also available on railway stations. Earlier RTO was planning for City Buses, but it fails because of narrow roads. In old city, auto-rickshaws are not permitted during certain time interval, so, Rickshaws serves as most primary transport mode. No other means of transport available in city region. Still, in city, city buses are proposed and needs permission to start after clearance from State Government.

For District areas, taxis, buses and tempos are always available from Lanka, Shastrinagar,MahuaBaag,Rauza, Rajdepur, City Railway Station, Gorabazar and RTI square. Airport-Andhaun airport.

Notable people

• Mangal Pandey
• Abdul Hamid
• Nazir Hussain, pitamah of Bhojpuri cinema
• Swami Sahajanand Saraswati
• Dr. Rahi Masoom Raza, Novelist

See also

• List of educational institutes in Ghazipur

References

1. ^ Paxman, Jeremy (2011). "Chapter 3". Empire:What Ruling the World Did to the British. London: Penguin Books.
2. ^ "Places of Interest of District Ghazipur". Ghazipur.nic.in. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
3. ^ Hunter, William Wilson (1908). The Imperial Gazetteer of India. Vol. XII. Oxford: Clarendon Press. pp. 230–231.
4. ^ Führer, Alois Anton (1891). Archaeological Survey of India: The Monumental Antiquities and Inscriptions in the North-Western Province and Oudh. Vol. XII. Allahabad: Superintendent, Government Press. p. 231.
5. "Ghazipur That is known as Gadhipuri". Ghazipur.nic.in. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
6. Yann Picand, Dominique Dutoit. "Ghazipur : definition of ghazipur and synonym of ghazipur (English)". Dictionary.sensagent.com. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
7. "Sarnath Buddhist Pilgrimage - Ticketed Monument - Archaeological Survey of India". Asi.nic.in. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
8. "Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Ghazipur". Fallingrain.com. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
9. "Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above" (PDF). Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
10. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
11. "Opium financed British rule in India (interview with Amitav Ghosh)". BBC News. 23 June 2008. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
12. "A Visit to Gazipur Factory...A sea of surprise". Bihar Times. Retrieved 26 March 2013.

• Articles with peacock terms from March 2009
• Cities and towns in Ghazipur district