HARDOI, Uttar Pradesh

Main Attraction: GHANTAGHAR

During 1850-1863 district Hardoi was created under the administration of District Magistrate W.S. Chapper. Owing to freedom struggle of 1857 there had been a great fight between the army of the East India Company and the freedom fighters from areas of Madhoganj, Ruiya of Hardoi. The work of district’s formation was withheld for a while and later on it was completed by the time the Victoria Charter was brought into force by 1877. Abolishing Company’s rule in India, British Parliament handed over the charge to Queen Victoria and Her Highness was honoured with the crown of ‘Kaiser-e-Hind’. 

The Queen announced general amnesty to freedom fighters of 1857 struggle. On the occasion of celebrations of enthronement of Queen Victoria on 16th February of 1886, District Magistrate Lieutinent Colonel Harns Fort held a meeting with the local residents who were associated with the ‘Company’ in the 1857 struggle and chalked out a plan to construct a ‘Ghantaghar’ (Clocktower) as a memory. After the completion of the construction of the clock-tower, a huge clock from the Great Britain was installed on top of the tower which worked till 1959-60 only. Till then, it’s melodious alarm and sound of ‘bells’ could be heard up to a distance of five miles which itself speaks of the historic event.

Brief History

The early history of the district is based on traditions and legendary allusions of Shiva Purana which relates Hardoi with to Thathera king of Hiranya Kashyap who called himself the God. As per the legend ‘Hardoi’ has been derived from the word ‘Haridrohi’. It is believed from Puranas a king named Hirnakashyap ruled the district in the olden times. Hirnakashyap was an enemy of God Vishnu and his son named Prahalad was given severe punishments for the reason that Prahalad was a devotee of Vishnu. 

Upon this Vishnu had to incarnate himself as Narsingh and killed the king. Since Hirnakashyap hated the God, thus the place derived its name as Haridrohi which in course of time become Hardoi. According to some scholars, the term "Hardoi" originated from the term "Haridwaya" which means two gods. Since there were two gods, Vamana Bhagavan (in the regime of King Bali) and Narasimha Bhagavan (in the regime of King Hiranyakashipu) had been incarnated hence the place called Haridwaya and later called Hardoi.

There is another legend who says that there was a chieftain named ‘Harnakas’ who too was an enemy of God which may be another reason for its name as Haridrohi. There is another version about this that Hardoi was founded by Hardev Baksa. This is also confirmed by the fact that there still exists a Mohalla (locality) in the name of Hardev Baksa. As per one more opinion there was a great saint Hardev Baba from which the district derived its name.

Mallawa, Bilgram, Pihani, Shahabad, Sandila & Ruiyaa are the places of historical significance. According to some historians Mallawa was colonized by Buddhists while some believed that Sayyed Salar Masood Gazi came here. Earlier this area Mallawa was district headquarter. The ancient name of Bilgram is "SRINAGAR" its present name Bilgram was given by some associates of Mahmood Gajnavi. Pihani is derived by persian word Pinhani (place of shelter), it is believed that king of Moughal dynasty Humayun took shelter in the forest of Pihani when he was defeated by Shershah Suri. Pihani is also related with the minister Sadarejahan of Emperor Akbar. His tomb and paintings are still here. According to the view of some people; Sandila was colonized by Rishi Sandilya. Sandila is also famous for old buildings, Mosque & Barakhamba.

Many historical events attach political importance to the district. Hardoi is first mentioned during the Muslim rule. In 1028, Bwan was invaded by Sayyid Salara Masgud. However, Muslims didn’t occupy the region until 1217. After long struggle Sayyad Shakir established first Muslim site at GOPAMAU. Many battles between the Mogul and Afghan empires took place in Hardoi district due to the situation of the district. Humayun was defeated by Sher Shah Suri between the cities of Bilgram and Sandi, and he escaped by crossing the river Ganges with the help of a bhisti to whom he had made the king for one day after regaining the throne.

Mahmood Ghaznavi is said to have invaded it in 1019 A.D. and the great Chausa war between Humayun and Shershah Suri was taken place near Bilgram in 1539. Hardoi formed part of Suba of Avadh under the Mughals, which was ruled by Avadh dynasty of Nawabs and formed border with the territory of Rohillas. In 1773 a brigade of British troops was stationed near Bilgram which was shifted to Kanpur. Later till 1849, Hardoi remained as most lawless tracts in the then Avadh province. 

Later, in February 1856, Hardoi, as a part of Oudh, became part of the British territory after Lord Dalhousie's proclamation. The district was annexed to the British Empire in 1856 along with the rest of the Avadh province and a district was formed with its headquarters at Mallawan. After a year (1857), the first war of independence broke out, plunging the whole area in the state of anarchy. In 1858, the district headquarter was shifted to Hardoi from Mallawan and has retained its position till date.