Shahjahanpur

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Shahjahanpur | type = city | latd = 27.88 | longd = 79.92
locator_position = right | state_name = Uttar Pradesh
district = Shahjahanpur
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 144
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 297,932| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone = 5842
postal_code = ?
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website = shahjahanpur.nic.in
footnotes =

Shahjahanpur is a district, and a municipal board in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Shahjahanpur District is a part of Bareilly division. The Tehsils are: Powayan, Tilhar, Katra, Jalalabad, and Kaanth. It is located in the southeast of Rohilkhand Division, and is an agriculture-based district of Uttar Pradesh established in 1813. Before its creation it was a part of Bareilly district.Adjoining districts of Shahjahanpur are Lakhimpur Kheri District, Hardoi District, Farrukhabad District, Bareilly District, Badaun District, and Pilibhit District. According to Government of India, the district is one of the Minority Concentrated District in India on the basis of the 2001 census data on population, socio-economic indicators and basic amenities indicators [http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=28770] .

The Ramganga, the Garrah and the Gomti are the main rivers of the district. The Kathana, the Jhukma the Mensi Rivers flow into the Gomti. The Khannaut, the Suketa and the Kai Rivers feed the Garrah. Major crops of the district are wheat, gram, millet, and potatoes. There exists an army cantonment, and a major clothing factory for defence forces called Ordnance Clothing Factory. Shahjahanpur Club is a famous club of the district, and its membership was once regarded as very exclusive. Shahjahanpur is also famous for its carpet industry, as well as for Sarrafa(Jewellery) market.

Shahjahanpur City was established by Diler Khan and Bahadur Khan, soldiers in the army of Mugal Emperor Shahjahan. Pleased with the services of Diler Khan and Bahadur Khan, Shahjahan gifted 14 villages with the permission to construct fortresses. Diler Khan developed a fort in the village of Nainar Khera, situated on the river Garrah He also established 52 villages named after 52 kabeelas of Pathans in Afghanistan. Even today, few of the local mohallas bear the name of these castes.

The city came into limelight during the freedom struggle of India. Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil, Thakur Roshan Singh and Ashfaq Ullah Khan brought Shahjahanpur fame by their heroic contribution to Independence struggle. Therefore Shahjahanpur town is also known as Shaheedon Ki Nagri or Town of Shaheed (Freedom Fighter).

Geography

Shahjahanpur is located at coord|27.88|N|79.92|E|. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/36/Shahjahanpur.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Shahjahanpur] ] It has an average elevation of 144 metres (472 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, [GR|India] Shahjahanpur had a population of 297,932. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Shahjahanpur has an average literacy rate of 43%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 51%, and female literacy is 33%.

Famous Personalities

* Pandit Ramprasad Bismil (Freedom Fighter)
* Thakur Roshan Singh (Freedom Fighter)
* Ashfaqullah Khan (Freedom Fighter)
* Banwari Lal (Freedom Fighter)
* Jadu Nath Singh (Freedom Fighter)
* Premkishan Khanna (Freedom Fighter)
* Lala Gulab Chand (Freedom Fighter)
* Rajpal Yadav (Actor)

Freedom Fighters

Shahjahanpur has played a very important role in India's independence movement.

Shahjahanpur made a vital contribution to the freedom movement of 1857. Nana Sahib Peshwa from Bithur, Rani Lakshmi Bai from Jhansi, Shehjade from Delhi, Ahmad Ullah Shah, from Faizabad, and Khan Badahur Khan from Bareilly united here and planned for further actions in the struggle. Unfortunately, Maulvi Ahamad Ullah Shah was killed by British forces in Powayan.

Later Pandit Ramprasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, and Thakur Roshan Singh made major contributions to the Freedom Movement of India. Under the grouping of HRA, they met and planned for the stability of the freedom movement from Shahjahanpur. Kakori is just 90 kilometers from Shahjahanpur. Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaq and Roshan Singh along with Chandrashekar Azaad, attacked the British revenue here. After Kakori Kand, Bismil and Ashfaq were the first among modern revolutionists to be hanged in Faizabad Jail in 1927. Later Bhagat Singh was also hanged by the British.

After Mahatama Gandhi withdrew his support from the non co-operation movement, Pandit Ramprasad Bismil founded the Hindustan Republic Association i.e. HRA. To implement the plan, and contributions were sought. When contributions were not adequate, robbery became the main fund-raising technique.

On 1925 August 9, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Thakur Roshan Singh and Lahri successfully conducted a robbery of British government trasury near the Kakori railway station. On 1925 December 26, 40 persons were arrested in this case. Pandit Ramprasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Thakur Roshan Singh, Jagdish and Banarasi were from Shahjahanpur. A British court decided the case on 1927 December 19. Pandit Ramprasad Bismil was hanged in the Gorakhpur prison, Ashfaqullah Khan was hanged in the Faizabad prison, and Thakur Roshan Singh was hanged in the Malaka (Allahabad) prison.

Transport

Shahjahanpur district is on National Highway No. 24, which connects New Delhi and the state capital, Lucknow. Twenty-four hour conveyance is available for New Delhi and Lucknow. Shahjahanpur Railway Station is on the main-line Jammu Tawi-Howrah rail route. It is an important station between Bareilly and Lucknow. Almost each and every train stops on this station. There are a number of trains that pass through Shahjahanpur. The nearest airport is in Amausi (Lucknow), at a distance of 180 km. Shahjahanpur is 330 km from New Delhi.

Distances from neighbour cities

*Lucknow : 180 km
*Bareilly : 79 km
*New Delhi : 330 km

Business

Food Processing like Flour Mills, Rice Mills and Sugar Mills are the main businesses. However, carpet weaving used to be the main business but now it has been reduced.

Technical Education

Shahjahanpur has launched it's first technical education institute known by the name Shree Janki Institute of Higher Education for Women (JIH).
* It is formed by the well renowned Janki Prasad Sewa Trust.
* This institute is specifically for women only.
* It currently provides the MBA program.
* The course has been approved by AICTE, New Delhi and is also affiliated to UPTU, Lucknow under the institute code '457'.
* It has all modern facilities like a well equipped computer lab, a library which has a good collection of books, good number of comfortable class rooms and conference rooms, wi-fi connectivity, a good atmosphere and any other facilities that are needed by a management student.
* Website : http://www.jih.org.in

*The Royal Khan Family of Shahjahanpur were known for the patronization of both sports and education.
*Sadly the current heir are not known to be very good educational institutes are strictly opposed by them.

References

* http://shahjahanpur.nic.in/
* http://www.jih.org.in
* http://www.shahjahanpur.net