- Bahraich
Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Bahraich | type = city | latd = 27.58 | longd = 81.6
locator_position = right | state_name = Uttar Pradesh
district = Bahraich
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 126
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 168,376| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
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sex_ratio =
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footnotes =Bahraich is a city and a
municipal board inBahraich district in the state ofUttar Pradesh ,India . Located on theSaryu River , a tributary of river Ghaghra, Bahraich is 125 km north-east ofLucknow , the state capital. The towns ofBarabanki ,Gonda ,Balrampur ,Lakheempur andSitapur share local boundaries with Bahraich. A factor which makes this town important is the international border shared with the neighboring country,Nepal . According to Government of India, the district Bahraich is one of theMinority 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 Nanpara estate
The district of Bahraich was part of the Great
Nanpara Estate made up of lands belonging to the Raja ofNanpara . Read the Wikipedia article onNanpara for a history of the ruling family up to the abolition of Zamindari in 1954.The Rajas ofNanpara owned more than three hundred villages in the District including all the forests. A large part of the education system in the district was the legacy of the late Raja Sadat Ali ofNanpara who built the major roads and hospitals.Origins of its Name
Bahraich got its name from the
Arabic word "bahr" which means a large body of water. Situated on the bank of river "Ghaghra", it was named "Bahraich". Although a small town, Bahraich happens to be a very old town of India. It was inhabited around the10th century .Some people also believe that Bahraich got its name from 'Brahma'. It is believed that there was an ancient Brahma Temple here ( not present now), thus giving the city the name - Brahmaich, thus, Bahraich.
It is also believed that Bahraich got its name from the Ashram of Mahirshi Bhar.bahraich was the land of Rishis, Munis(Hindu saints), Bhikhkhus(Bhudhhist Monks). A town near Bahraich is named as RISIYA which was named Rishi Bhumi in ancient times.
The main occupation of the residents of Bahraich is
agriculture . In the British period, Bahraich was a famous market for grains and pulses. Even today, it is famous for agricultural products like pulses, wheat, rice, corn, sugar, and mustard. Also, there are dense forests in Nanpara and Bhinga region which account for herbs and timber.Dargah of Ghazi Saiyyad Masud
Bahraich is very famous because of the mausoleum ("Dargah") of Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masud, a famous
eleventh century Islamic invader. His "Dargah" is a place for reverence for Muslims and Hindus alike. It was built byFiroz Shah Tughlaq . It is believed that people taking bath in the water of the Suryakund nearby become free of all skin diseases. Theannual festival (Urs) at the Dargah is attended by thousands of people coming from far-off places of the country.Roughly 50 km from Bahraich, there are remains of an ancient
Buddhist monastery . This place is known asSravasti and it is one of the most popular destinations around Bahraich. Other places of interest are the Temple ofJunglee Nath ,Kailashpuri Barrage ,Chittaura Jheel andKartaniya Ghat Alligator Breeding center .Bahraich hosts the biggest
Wildlife reserve of the state of Uttar Pradesh - Kartarniya ghat wildlife reserveFact|date=February 2007. Other Places of Interest include "Shravasti" which is also Holy Place for Buddhist and Jains, Lord Buddha spent twenty four years of his life preaching Buddhism. Shravasti is visited by tourists fromKorea ,Japan ,Sri Lanka &China .Geography
Bahraich is located at coord|27.58|N|81.6|E|. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/36/Bahraich.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Bahraich] ] It has an average elevation of 126
metre s (413 feet).Demographics
As of 2001 Indiacensus , [GR|India] Bahraich had a population of 168,376. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Bahraich has an average literacy rate of 59%, lower than the national average of 59.5%; with 57% of the males and 43% of females literate. 15% of the population is under 6 years of age.References
External links
* [http://x5.putfile.com/2/5303525754.jpgLocation & Road Map of Bahraich]
* [http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/B/Bahraich.asp Bahraich in Encyclopedia.com]
* [http://behraich.nic.in/favorite.htm Bahraich - Places of Interest]
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