Bayana

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Bayana | type = city | latd = 26.9 | longd = 77.28
locator_position = right | state_name = Rajasthan
district = Bharatpur
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altitude = 196
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 33,504| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
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sex_ratio =
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Bayana is a historical town in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan in India. It is a historical city founded by Banasur, who was an "Asura".He lived during the time of Krishna.His daughter "Usha" was married to Anirudh (grandson of Shri Krishna after a long battle).

Geography

Bayana is located in a small plain, between two hill ranges running more or less parallel to each other near the left bank of the Gambhir river, at a distance of 45 km to south west of Bharatpur.

Bayana is located at coord|26.9|N|77.28|E|. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/24/Bayana.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Bayana] ] It has an average elevation of 196 metres (643 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, [GR|India] Bayana had a population of 33,504. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Bayana has an average literacy rate of 64%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 63% of the males and 37% of females literate. 17% of the population is under 6 years of age.

History of Bayana

The ancient name of Bayana was Sripatha or Sriprashtha or Shantipura . A big hoard of the ancient Indian coins were discovered in 1946 at the distance of 11 km from Bayana. In 372 A.D Vishnu Vardhana erected the sacrificial pillar in memory of pundarika sacrifice for propsperity. In 1046 AD Chittralekha , the queen of Mangalaraja(Mangalraja was Kachawaha king of Gwalior. He was son of Vazradama, who died in a battle with Mahmood of Gazni in 1000 AD.) built the temple of Vishnu .

It is a curious mixture of Hindu and Mohammad relics. Ruled by stalwarts like Muhammad Ghori, Sikandar Lodhi and Humayun, Bayana held a special place in history. According to Abul Fazal: "this town is the burial place of many illustrious men". It can be adjudged that various important battles were fought here. Akbarnama mention that in former times Bayana was the capital of a province of which Agra was merely a dependent village.

Before the main Battle of Khanua, in 1527.Rana Sanga and Hasan Khan Mewati had initial success here. Many generals and soldiers of Babur were killed here. The graves of thease generals still present in Bayana. It was here that Babur renounced alcohol. A mosque named "Talaqani Masjid" is still present to commemorate this event. Babur also constructed "Jhajhri" here. Which is present till now. Bayana is about 35 kilometers from Khanwa and about 46 KM from Fatehpur Sikri

Bayana is famous for Bijaigarh (Vijaygarh) fort which was built by Jadon Raja Bijai Pal in 1040 A.D. The Bijaigarh fort contains several old temples and a red sandstone pillar bearing an inscription of Vishnuvardhan, a feudatory of Samudragupta. The fort was described as one of the most famous forts in India by Babur himself. Besides this there is a monolithic sandstone pillar, a combination of Hindu and Muslim styles, which bears many inscriptions.

Another important place is Temple of Usha , which was built during the reign of Raja Laxman Sen, (Laxman was father of Vazradama the kachawaha king of Gwalior) by his wife. Usha loved and married Aniruddh after a long battle. This is the only temple in India dedicated to Usha.

References