Mera Prayagraj

Allahabad, now known as Prayagraj, is one of the largest cities in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is spread over a wide area and is geographically situated as an inland peninsula. It is surrounded by the rivers Ganges and Yamuna on three sides, while it is connected to the mainland only on one side.

The city was anciently known as Prayag, and is still widely referred to by this name. Its being a very ancient city is evidenced by references to Prayag in the Vedas, where Brahma, the creator of the universe in Hinduism, is believed to have participated in a yajna.

Additionally, Archaeological Excavations have yielded objects made of Northern Black Polished Ware at Prayag, which confirm the fact that the city existed as a prosperous settlement by 600 BCE.

Allahbad, now known as Prayagraj, is a paradise for history lovers. The city has a rich history deeply embedded in its fields, forests and settlements.

To the southwest, about 48 km away, on the serene banks of the Yamuna River lie the ruins of Kaushambi. It was the capital of the ancient Vatsa kingdom and an important center of Buddhism. Its remains still bear silent testimony to a forgotten era.

To the East, across the Ganges River and connected to the city by the Shastri Bridge lies Jhunsi, identified as the ancient Pratishthanpur, the capital of the Chandra dynasty.

Kada, about 58 km northwest of Prayagraj, is a medieval site famous for the impressive ruins of Jai Chand's fort.

Another important site is Shringaverpur, a recently discovered ancient site. It has now become a major attraction for tourists and archaeologists, further enriching the historical and cultural heritage of the region.

Importance of Prayagraj

History of Prayagraj

Prayag is not limited to the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the invisible Saraswati, but it has also been an important center of spirituality, literature and national movement.

The Kumbh Mela, which is held every twelfth year, is not only important religiously and spiritually, but it also reminds us of historical churning. The sermons given by saints and scholars during this great festival are also a form of deep contemplation and churning for human welfare.

History also shows that when there was a need to give the form of a mass movement to India's freedom struggle, then Prayagraj became the center of this brainstorming. Mahatma Gandhi and other nationalist leaders sat in Swaraj Bhavan and Anand Bhavan located here and made strategies to reach the national movement to the masses. This city gave birth to many important decisions of the freedom struggle and paved the way for India's independence.

It is described in the Puranas that Yayati set out from Prayag and conquered the Sapta Sindhu region. His five sons – Yadu, Druhyu, Puru, Anu and Turvasu – established themselves as the leading tribes of the Rigveda.

When the Aryans first started settling in the land they called Aryavarta or Madhyadesa, Prayag or Kaushambi was an important part of their territory. The Vatsa (who were a branch of the early Indo-Aryans) were the rulers of Hastinapur (which was located near present-day Delhi) and founded the town of Kaushambi near present-day Prayag. When Hastinapur was destroyed in a flood, they moved their capital to Kaushambi.

In Ramayana times, Prayag was a cluster of huts of a few sages, where the holy rivers met, and most of the Vatsa region was covered with dense forests. Lord Rama, the main character of Ramayana, spent some time here, when he stayed at the hermitage of sage Bharadwaja, and then proceeded to nearby Chitrakoot.

In the ages to come, the Doab region, which included Prayag, came under the rule of several empires and dynasties. It first became part of the Maurya and Gupta empires, then came under the Kushan Empire of the west, and later became part of the local Kannauj kingdom, which became extremely powerful.

Objects found during excavations at Prayag prove that the city was part of the Kushan Empire in the 1st century AD. The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang, who visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana (607-647 AD), writes in his memoirs that he visited Prayag in 643 AD.

Birthplace of Prime Ministers

Prayagraj has the distinction of being the birthplace and karmabhoomi of several prime ministers:

• Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (born here, Anand Bhavan is now a museum)

• Indira Gandhi (born in Prayagraj )

• Lal Bahadur Shastri (deeply associated with the city)

• Vishwanath Pratap Singh and Chandrashekhar, who have played a key role in the politics of independent India.

Prayagraj and the freedom struggle

During the 1857 revolt, the British army in Prayagraj was outnumbered. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the revolutionaries took over the city. It was during this time that Maulvi Liaquat Ali raised the flag of rebellion and joined the pioneers of the 1857 revolution.

After the revolt, the British rule turned Prayagraj into an administrative centre. The High Court, Police Headquarters and the Public Service Commission were established here, making the city even more important administratively.

In 1888, Prayagraj hosted the fourth session of the Indian National Congress, making it a hub of political activities. In the early 20th century, Prayagraj became a stronghold of revolutionaries. Sundarlal's Karmayogi office (located in Chowk) instilled the spirit of patriotism in many youngsters. During this time, Nityananda Chatterjee created history by throwing the first bomb at the British Club.

In 1931, the great revolutionary Chandrashekhar Azad sacrificed his life when he was surrounded by British police in Alfred Park (now Chandrashekhar Azad Park) but was not captured by the British.

The origin of the idea of Pakistan

On 29 December 1930, Allama Muhammad Iqbal first presented the idea of a separate Muslim nation (Pakistan) at the All India Muslim League convention. This historic moment took place on the soil of Prayagraj .

From the flames of revolution to political leadership, Prayagraj has played a vital role in shaping the history of India. The city not only witnessed the freedom struggle but also maintains its strong identity in Indian politics and culture even today.

Prayagraj : A Legacy of Education

Since ancient times, Prayagraj has been a centre of education, with roots stretching back to the Buddha era. In the modern era, the University of Allahabad was established on 23 September 1887, making it the fourth oldest university in India, after the universities of Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras.

In the 19th century, it came to be known as the "Oxford of the East" due to its academic excellence. In its golden age, the university's influence extended to Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, and more than 38 colleges and institutes were affiliated to it between 1887 and 1927.

Prayagraj has been one of the major centers of Hindi literature. Also, it created history in 1911 when the world's first airmail delivery was sent from Prayag to Naini (across the Yamuna River).

A confluence of intellect, innovation, and heritage—Prayagraj continues to inspire new generations even today.

Prayagraj : A unique heritage of literary splendor

Prayagraj has always been the workplace of literary heroes. Many great writers of Hindi literature have their roots in this city. Timeless writers like Mahadevi Verma, Sumitranandan Pant, Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala', Upendranath 'Ashk' and Harivansh Rai Bachchan emerged from here.

Confluence of Urdu and Hindi literature

Prayagraj has played an important role in Urdu poetry. Raghupati Sahay 'Firaq Gorakhpuri' was a famous poet and critic who had a deep connection with Allahabad University. Both Firaq and Harivansh Rai Bachchan had been professors of English literature here.

Prayagraj is a historically and culturally rich city in Uttar Pradesh, India, known for its religious significance, especially as the site of the Triveni Sangam—the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. It plays a vital role in Hindu traditions, particularly during the Kumbh Mela, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. With deep historical roots, including its importance during the Mughal and British eras, and contributions to India’s freedom movement, Prayagraj stands today as a vibrant blend of spirituality, heritage, and modern development.