History of Bahraich

[yogesh saxena]

History of Bahraich

The dense forests and fast flowing rivers are the
specialities of district Bahraich. There are many Mythological facts
about the great historical value of district Bahraich. It was famous
as the Capital of God Brahma, the maker of universe. It was also known
as part of Gandharva Forest. Even today North east area of several
hundred square Kms of the district is covered by the forest. It is
said that Brahma ji deveoloped this forest covered area as the place
of worship for Rishis & Sadhus. Therefore this place come to known as
" Brahmaich"

According to some other historians in the middle
age this place was the capital of "Bhar" dynasty. Therefore it was
called as "Bharraich". Which later come to be known as "Bahraich".

Famous Chinese visitors Hwaintsang & Feighyaan
visted this place. The famous Arab visitor Ibne-ba-tuta visted
Bahraich and wrote that Bahraich is a beautiful city situated at the
bank of holy river Saryu.

According to Puraans King Luv, the son of God Ram
& King Prasenjit ruled Bahraich. Also during the period of exile
Pandavas & along with mother Kunti visited this place.

The guru of Maharaja Janak , Rishi Ashtwakra used
to live here. Rishi Valmiki & Rishi Balark also used to live
here .

Role of Bahraich during First Freedom Struggle of
1857

On February 7, 1856 Resident General Outrem
declared the rule of Company on Awadh. Bahraich was made the centre of
a divison & Mr. Wingfield was appointed as its commissioner.

Due to kingdom grabbing policy of Lord Dalhousie
the hole nation was against the Britishers rule. Agents of leader of
freedom struggle , Nana Saheb & Bahadur Shah Jafar were compaigning
against British rule. During the compaign Peshwa Nana Saheb visited
Bahraich to have a confidential meeting with local rulers. The meeting
was held at a place presently know as "Gullabeer" on the exhortation
of Nana Saheb king of Bhinga , Baundi , Chahlari , Rehua , Charda etc
gathered at this place & promised Nana Sheb for freedom struggle till
death.

King Vir Balbhadra Singh of Chahlari also actively
participated in freedom struggle. In Bahraich also mutiny started as
soon as it started in Awadh.

During that time Commissioner was posted is
Karnailganj , Mr. C. W. Canlif , Dy Commissioner , Lt. Lag Bailey &
Mr. Jorden were there in Bahraich along with two companies. The
struggle of Bahraich was on a very large scale. All the Raikwar kings
were against Britishers rule with all public support. When the
struggle started all the three British officer moved towards Himalayas
via Nanpara. But the soldiers of revolting kings blocked these way.

So they returned to Bahraich in order to go to
Lucknow. But when they reached near Behram Ghat ( Ganeshpur ) all the
boats were under the control of revolting soldiers. Which ensued
serious struggle and all the three officers were killed. And whole
district came under the control of freedom fighters.

Power of freedom fighters started decaying , after
the loss of Lucknow. On 27 Nov. 1857 king of Chahlari Balbhadra Singh
lost his life during the war with Britishers near Chinhat. Even
Britishers praised his bravery. King of Bhitauni also faught & lost
his life.

On 26 Dec. 1858 British Army captured Nanpara. The
whole Nanpara was ruinned to rubbles. The soldiers of freedom fighters
started to gather on the fort of Bargadia. A great struggle took place
there. Approx. 4000 soldiers fled and took shelter in the better fort
of Masjidia but Britisher again destroyed the Fort. And war took place
at Dharmanpur. Lord Clive moved towards the other soliers who were
residing on the banks of river Rapti. He thrashed them away to Nepal.

On 27 Dec. 1858 British army moved towards Charda.
And after the war of 2 days British army captured it. On 29 Dec. 1858
British army returned to Nanpara.

Thus Britishers won the first freedom struggle on
the basis of their superior armed forces.

Bahraich During Freedom
Struggle

Second freedom struggle started in Bahraich with
the establishment of congress party in 1920. Baba Yugal Bihari , Shyam
Bihari Panday , Murari Lal Gaur & Durga Chand established Congress
party in district in 1920. During those days Home Rule League party
was also active. Baba Vindhyavasini Prasad, Raghupati Sahay Firak
Gorakhpuri & Pd. Gauri Shanker visited Bahraich to increase the
influence of congress. Under the president ship of Diwan Paragidas
congress was recognized with the workers of home rule League. Smt.
Sarojni Naidu visited Bahraich in 1926 & appealed all the workers
for self rule & wear Khadi. In Feb. 1920 total strike was called in
Nanpara , Jarwal & Bahraich Town to oppose Simon Commission.

In 1929 Gandhi ji visited Bahraich & held a public
meeting in old Govt. High School ( Now known as Maharaj Singh Inter
College). A sum of Rs 3500/= was presented to him for the welfare of
Harijans. Like other parts of the Nation there was a sharp reaction in
Bahraich also when Gandhiji started his salt movement. On 6th May 1930
there was total Strike. Salt Law was also broken. All the prominent
leaders were arrested. Next day a great procession took place & an
effigy of British rule was burnt. On 6th October 1931 Pd Jawaher Lal
Nehru visited Bahraich & held public meeting at Rampurwa , Hardi,
Gilaula & Ikauna.

For Satyagrah of Gandhi ji 762 people provided
their names. Out of which 371 were arrested. When Gandhi ji was
arrested during quit India Movement on 9th Aug. 1942 there was a sharp
reaction in the distt. A huge procession took place. All the local
leaders were arrested. In 1946 the lines were drawn for final freedom
struggle. 15th Aug. 1947 the day of freedom was celebrated with great
enthusiasm. Approx 1375 refugees from Pakistan come to Bahraich & they
were rehabilitated in the district.