Happy TravellerWelcome to Shahjahanpur, a historic city located in the heart of Uttar Pradesh, India. Founded in the 17th century by Dilir Khan and Bahadar Khan, Shahjahanpur has a rich cultural heritage and is known for its contributions to Indian music and literature. The city is situated between Bareilly and Lucknow, making it easily accessible by road and rail. In this article, we will explore the history, geography, demographics, transport, cultural heritage, and notable people of Shahjahanpur.
History:
Shahjahanpur was established by Dilir Khan and Bahadar Khan, sons of Dariya Khan, a soldier in the army of the Mughal emperor Jahangir. Dariya Khan was originally from Kandahar, in modern-day Afghanistan. Both Dilir Khan and Bahadar Khan were dignitaries in the regime of Shah Jahan. Pleased with the services of Dilir Khan, Shah Jahan gave him 17 villages with the permission to construct a fort in 1647, following the suppression of the rebellious Katheria Rajputs. The area was then settled by Afghans, brought by Bahadar Khan following one of his campaigns. On 9 August 1925, the Indian freedom fighters Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Chandrashekhar Azad and Rajendra Lahiri conducted a robbery of government funds near Kakori railway station. Both Bismil and Khan were born in Shahjahanpur.
Geography:
Shahjahanpur is located at 27.88°N 79.91°E / 27.88; 79.91. It has an average elevation of 194 metres (600 feet). It is situated at the junction of two rivers.
Demographics:
As per provisional data of 2011 census, Shahjahanpur urban agglomeration had a population of 346,103, out of which males were 183,087 and females were 163,016. The literacy rate was 69.81 per cent.
Transport:
Shahjahanpur is well-connected with major towns and cities in Uttar Pradesh through road and rail network. National Highway 30 links Shahjahanpur with Bareilly and Lucknow. A spur route National Highway 731 too passes through Shahjahanpur, linking it to the eastern UP town of Jaunpur. Shahjahanpur railway station lies on Lucknow–Moradabad line of Indian Railways. Several through trains from Lucknow to Delhi pass through Shahjahanpur station.
Cultural heritage:
Over the years, the Shahjahanpur gharana contributed eminent sarod players such as Enayat Ali (1883 – 1915), Ustad Murad Ali Khan, Ustad Mohammed Ameer Khan, Pandit Radhika Mohan Moitra and Pandit Buddhadev Das Gupta. Present Sarod legend, Amjad Ali Khan also belongs to Shahjahanpur gharana. The city is also known for its contributions to Urdu literature, with notable figures such as Dil Shahjahanpuri and Madan Shahjahanpuri hailing from the city.
Notable people:
Shahjahanpur has produced several notable figures in the fields of politics, entertainment, and sports. Some of the most famous names include Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaqulla Khan, who were freedom fighters in the Indian independence movement, Rajpal Yadav and Alok Pandey, who are actors in the Indian film industry, and Naik Jadu Nath Singh, who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his bravery in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947.
Education:
Shahjahanpur is home to several prestigious educational institutions, including Gandhi Faiz-E-Aam College, Swami Shukdevanand Post Graduate College, State Medical College Shahjahanpur, and Varun Arjun Medical College Shahjahanpur.
In conclusion, Shahjahanpur is a city with a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant community. Whether you are interested in history, music, literature, or simply want to experience the warmth and hospitality of the people, Shahjahanpur is a destination that should not be missed. We hope this article has inspired you to visit this beautiful city and explore all that it has to offer.
