Geography, Climate and Population of Prayagraj

Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) is one of the major and largest cities of Uttar Pradesh. It is an inland peninsula, surrounded by the Ganga and Yamuna rivers on three sides and connected to the mainland in only one direction.

Geographical location of Prayagraj

Prayagraj is located in the southern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is a major historical and religious city of India. Its geographical location is 25°28′ north latitude and 81°50′ east longitude.

Geographical structure

• This city is located at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, which gives it the status of Tirtharaj.

• The terrain here is mainly flat and fertile, which falls in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab region.

• Prayagraj is bordered by Pratapgarh in the north, Mirzapur in the east, Kaushambi in the west and Rewa (Madhya Pradesh) in the south.

Geographical Features

• It is part of the Ganga-Yamuna Doab region, which is famous for its fertile soil.

• The land of the Doab region is suitable for the cultivation of wheat, paddy, sugarcane and pulses

• The land in the southern and eastern parts is relatively dry and rocky, similar to the neighboring Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand regions.

Climate

Prayagraj has a tropical climate, with four main seasons:

1. Summer (April – June):

o The maximum temperature can reach 45°C.

o This time is hot and dry.

2. Rainy Season (July – September):

o The average rainfall is 1027 mm.

o It receives good rainfall due to the southwest monsoon.

3. Winter (December – February):

o The temperature can sometimes drop to 2°C.

o Dense fog is commonly seen in January.

4. Spring and Autumn (March, October-November):

o The weather remains pleasant and balanced during this time.

Geographical Importance

• The Indian Standard Time (IST) passes near Prayagraj.

• This city is the meeting point of North and Central India, which increases its administrative and cultural importance.

• Being located at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati river, it is very important from the religious point of view.

Demography

Prayagraj is one of the largest and most important cities in Uttar Pradesh. Its population consists of people of different religions, cultures and languages

• Total Population: According to the 2011 census, the total population of Prayagraj district was 59 lakhs (5.9 million), of which the urban area population was about 12 lakhs (1.2 million).

• Languages: Hindi, Urdu, English and Allahabadi (local dialect) are mainly spoken here. Both Awadhi and Khariboli of Hindi are prevalent.

• Religious Diversity: People from Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian and Jain communities reside in Prayagraj. Followers of all major religions are found here, making this city a symbol of communal harmony.

• Education Rate: The literacy rate of Prayagraj is 74.41%, which is higher than the average literacy rate of the state. The city is considered one of the major educational centers of India.

Urban and Rural Population

• Urban Area: Prayagraj city is developing as a metropolitan area. Major areas here like Civil Lines, Katra, Jhunsi, Naini, Teliarganj and Kydganj are highly populated areas.

• Rural Area: Prayagraj district consists of many villages and towns, where agriculture and traditional occupations are the main means of livelihood.

Migration and Population Growth

• Prayagraj is an educational and administrative center, due to which people from all over the country come and settle here.

• Due to the abundance of employment in railways, administration, judiciary and education sector, this city remains a center of attraction for migrants.

• During Magh Mela and Kumbh Mela, lakhs of devotees and tourists come here temporarily, due to which the temporary population of the city increases manifold.

Prayagraj – A Cultural Confluence

Due to the diversity of the population, Prayagraj is called a religious, educational and cultural confluence. The city is famous for its education, administrative institutions, literature, religious tourism and historical heritage.

Administrative Reorganization of Prayagraj

The administrative structure of Prayagraj has changed from time to time. Historically it was known as Allahabad, but in 2018 it was renamed Prayagraj. The administrative reorganization of this city has been done at various levels, including changes at the district, division and municipal corporation level.

1. Divisional Reorganization

❖ Earlier Prayagraj division included many districts, but keeping in mind the administrative facilities, some districts were separated and new administrative units were created.

❖ Old administrative structure:

• Prayagraj division earlier also included districts like Etawah, Farrukhabad, Kanpur Dehat.

• Later they were transferred to Agra and Kanpur divisions.

❖ Present Prayagraj Division:

Currently, Prayagraj Division consists of four districts:

1. Prayagraj 2. Kaushambi 3. Pratapgarh 4. Fatehpur

3. Municipal Corporation and Urban Restructuring

❖ Prayagraj Municipal Corporation is one of the largest municipal corporations in Uttar Pradesh.

❖ Many new areas have been included in the municipal corporation limits to organize urbanization.

❖ After 2018, the area of the municipal corporation was expanded, in which many rural areas were also included in the urban limits.

4. Police and Judicial Restructuring

❖ After independence, Prayagraj High Court (Allahabad High Court) was made the headquarters of the judicial system of Uttar Pradesh.

❖ New police stations and circles were created to improve police administration.

❖ The city was divided into several police zones and circles to make law and order effective.

5. Administrative and Political Importance

❖ Prayagraj is an important center of Uttar Pradesh from an administrative point of view.

❖ It remains a major center of politics, judiciary, and education.

❖ Administrative restructuring has played an important role in the smooth development of the city.

The administrative reorganization of Prayagraj has proved helpful in making it modern, well-organized and well-organized. It has established itself as the judicial, administrative and cultural capital of Uttar Pradesh.

Prayagraj is an important cultural, administrative and religious center due to its geographical location, population structure and diverse climate. Its river structure, historical heritage and diverse population structure give it a unique place among the major cities of India.

2. District Reorganization

❖ Earlier Prayagraj district covered a large area.

❖ Under the reorganization, the western part was cut off and Kaushambi district was formed in 1997.

❖ After this, Prayagraj district was mainly divided into three tehsils:

• Sadar Tehsil

• Phulpur Tehsil

• Karchana Tehsil

• Later, two more tehsils named Bara and Meja were added by expanding further.

Geography, Climate and Population of Prayagraj

Its river structure, historical heritage and diverse population structure give it a unique place among the major cities of India.