Azamgarh

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Azamgarh | type = city | latd = 26.06 | longd = 83.19
locator_position = right | state_name = Uttar Pradesh
district = Azamgarh
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 64
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 1,04,943| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone = 915462
postal_code = 260001
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Azamgarh (Hindi: आज़मगढ़, Urdu: اعظم گڑھ), is a town and the district headquarters of the district of Azamgarh. A district is an equivalent to a county of the United States.

Like most towns in northern parts of India, Azamgarh is situated on the banks of a river--in this case on the Tons River. Azamgarh was founded around 1665, by a powerful landlord named Azam Khan son of Vikramajit. Vikramajit a descendant of Gautam Rajputs of Mehnagar in pargana Nizamabad, like some of his predecessors, had embraced the faith of Islam. He had a Muslim wife who bore him two sons Azam and Azmat. While Azam gave his name to the town of Azamgarh, and the fort, Azmat constructed the fort and settled the bazar of Azmatgarh in pargana Sagri.

Azamgarh became a center of learning with the founding of Shibli National College, by the Muslim theoligan Shibli Nomani. Around 1883Mr. Nomani, inspired by the works of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan of Aligarh Muslim University, established a college drawing scholars from all parts of Uttar Pradesh (then United Province) and northern India. Allama Shibli Nomani established an academy, now known as Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy, prior to his death in 1914. Darul Musannefin (house of writers) brings out a literary monthly journal in Urdu, Ma'arif.

Azamgarh is well connected to other parts of the state, and the recent launch of direct train connections with Bombay and Delhi (Mumbai and Delhi) has made this town more accessible.People of Azamgarh actively participated in various national movements especially in Quit India Movement in 1942.Fact|date=January 2008

More historical data on Azamgarh can be found in this 1911 writeup of a British fact book [http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/A/AZ/AZAMGARH.htm] and also at Azamgarh district website [http://azamgarh.nic.in]

Geography

Azamgarh is located at coord|26.06|N|83.19|E|. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/36/Azamgarh.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Azamgarh] ] It has an average elevation of 64 metres (209 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, [GR|India] Azamgarh had a population of 1,04,943. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Azamgarh has an average literacy rate of 41%, lower than the national average of 59.5%. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Culture

Azamgarh's culture is a reflection of the Avadh culture of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The people are simple but have great taste of food, clothing and manners.the language they speak is simple Hindi with a touch of Bhojpuri in it.

Important personalities

* Rahul Sankrityayan (linguist and polymath)
* Shibli Nomani (poet, writer, educationist)
* Sir Iqbal Ahmed (judge)
* Hamiduddin Farahi (religious scholar and mufassir)
* Allama Iqbal Suhail (Writer)
* Maulana Aslam Jairajpuri (religious scholar)
* Kaifi Azmi (Urdu poet)
* Maulana Wahiduddin Khan (Islamic scholar and exponent of non-violence)
* Shabana Azmi (film actress and Ex. M.P.)
* Ram Naresh Yadav (Former Chief Minister Uttar Pradesh)
* Ameen Ahsan Islahi (religious scholar and mufassir)
* Abu Asim Azmi (M.P.)
* Ishtiyaq Ahmad Zilli (historian & religious scholar)
* Zafarul Islam Khan (noted scholar and journalist)
* Saniyasnain Khan (children's author)

References