Prayagraj - Gheos Worldguide

Prayagraj (प्रयागराज)

Excavations suggest that the area of Prayagraj has been inhabited since around 600 BC, but the city was first mentioned between 1200 and 1000 BC in the scriptures of Rigveda Pariśiṣṭa, making it one of the world's oldest known cities in Hindu texts. In ancient Vedas, it was venerated as the holy city of Prayāga. In 312, a fortification was constructed at Prayāga.

In the 15th century, Mughal emperor Akbar constructed a fort around the Akshayavat tree, which is a sacred banyan tree that is mentioned in Hindu mythology, as well as in Jainism.

In 1583, Akbar founded the city of Ilahabad there. The name later changed to Allahabad. By the early 17th century, Allahabad had become a provincial capital in the Mughal Empire.

In 1801, the East India Company took over and in 1858, control over India was transferred to the government of Britain. In 2018, the name of the city was changed into Prayagraj, in an aim to restore the city's ancient name. Many people continue to used its former name of Allahabad though.

Because of its long history, there are countless ancient temples and historic buildings in Prayagraj. As a result, Prayagraj has become an important tourist destination. The increase in traffic has made it one of the most polluted cities in the world.

Points of interest

Akbar Fort was built in 1583. It was called Ilahabas, which means Abode of God. The name later changed into Allahabad. The fort is located on the bank of the Yamuna River.
The Allahabad High Court was established in 1869. The building is located on Nyaya Marg.
The Allahabad Pillar is a stambha (a pillar, or a column employed in Indian architecture) that is inscribed with more than 30 inscriptions, known as the Edicts of Ashoka. The earliest of the inscriptions date from the 3rd century BC. Gupta inscriptions were added in the 4th century AD, while the most recent ones date from the Mughal empire in the 17th century. The Pillar consists of a single shaft of polished sandstone. It is 10 m (35 ft) tall.
The All Saints' Cathedral was built between 1887 and 1891. It is located on Sarojini Naidu Marg in Civil Lines.
Chandra Shekhar Azad Park was laid out in 1870 as Alfred Park. It was renamed to commemorate revolutionary Chandra Shekhar Azad, who sacrificed his life there during the Indian independence movement in 1931. The park is located in the Georgetown neighborhood. It measures 54 hectares and it includes:
- The Allahabad Museum.
- The Allahabad Public Library is also known as the Thornhill Mayne Memorial. It was established in 1864. In 1879, it moved to its present location. The building was constructed in 1870 in the Scottish Baronial Revival style.
- The Chandra Shekhar Azad Memorial was erected at the place where Azad sacrificed his life.
- The Madan Mohan Malviya Stadium is used for Cricket, Hockey, Javelin throw, Judo and Taekwondo.
- Prayag Sangeet Samiti is a music training institute that was established in 1926.
- The Victoria Memorial consists of a large canopy made of Italian limestone. The memorial is dedicated to Queen Victoria. It was unveiled in 1906. The canopy once sheltered a statue of Queen Victoria, but that was removed.
Civil Lines is Prayagraj's upper-class central business district.
The Jawahar Planetarium was built in 1979. Every year, the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Lecture is held at the planetarium.
Khusro Bagh is a large walled garden and burial complex. The garden includes 4 tombs:
- The Tomb of Bibi Tamolan.
- The Tomb of Khusrau Mirza, who was emperor Jahangir's eldest son and who was heir apparent to the Mughal throne for a short time.
- The Tomb of Nithar Begum. She was Jahangir's daughter and Khusrau Mirza's sister. She died around 1646.
- The Tomb of Shah Begum. Shw was Jahangir's wife and the daughter of Raja Bhagwant Das. She died in 1622.
Khusro Bagh is located in muhalla Khuldabad, not far from the Prayagraj Junction railway station.
The New Yamuna Bridge opened to traffic in 2004. The cable-stayed bridge spans the Yamuna River, connecting central Prayagraj with the neighborhood of Naini. The bridge was constructed to ease traffic over the Old Naini Bridge.
The Old Naini Bridge was completed in 1865. It is one of the oldest and longest bridges in India. The double-decked steel truss bridge spanse the Yamuna River. It carries both road and rail traffic. The bridge was renovated in 2021-2022.
The Prayagraj Junction is the city's main railway station. It is located on Leader Road.
Prayagraj is located in the vicinity of the Triveni Sangam (place where three rivers meet). It is the place, where the Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Sarasvati rivers meet. This location is a place of religious importance. It is the site, where the Prayag Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years.
Triveni Sangam has also been the place, where the ashes of important national leaders have been immersed, including those of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948.
The University of Allahabad was founded in 1887.

Museums

The Allahabad Museum was established in 1931. The museum has a large collection of art objects, including a rock art gallery, where you can see prehistoric rock paintings dating from 14000 BC to 2000 BC. The museum is located on Kamla Nehru Road in the Civil Lines district. It faces Chandrashekhar Azad Park.
The Anand Bhavan was bought by Indian political leader Motilal Nehru in the 1930s. He later became India's first prime minister. In the 1970s, the building was converted into a museum to commemorate him. The building houses the Jawahar Planetarium.

There are numerous hotels and restaurants in Prayagraj.

The city is located in southern Uttar Pradesh, some 550 km southeast from Delhi.

Images

Prayagraj ©Divam Suthar
Prayagraj ©Divam Suthar