JAUNPUR, Uttar Pradesh

Main Attraction: ATALA MASJID

Atala Masjid (mosque) had been of great importance since Medieval times. Its construction started in 1377 and was completed in 1408 in the regime of Ibrahim Sharquie in order to perpetuate the memory of his cousin Sultan Mohammad, whose real name was Jauna. This mosque represents the earliest and finest example of Sharquie Architecture of distinctive style which bears influence of later Tughlaq Architecture and conforms to the general plan of the orthodox mosque. It’s most distinguished feature is the original façade of its prayer-hall. There are three large ornamental archways, the central one soars upto 23 metres.

Brief History

Well-known for its past and the glory of learning Jaunpur holds its own important historical, social and political status. Studying its past on the basis of panic accounts, rock edicts, archaeological remains and other available facts, the continuous existence of Jaunpur district is seen, in some form of the other, till the Late Vedic Period. The glory of the city on the Adi Ganga Gomti and its peaceful shores was a major pious ground for the meditations and contemplations of sages, Rishis and Maharshis from where the sounds of the vedmantras emanated. Even today, the Deva Vanees are echoing in temples along the banks of the Gomti in Jaunpur city. In the field of education, this district has held an important position. Students from other countries have been coming here to learn Arabic and Persian. Sher Shah Suri too was educated here. Sufism too sprouted and flowered here.

During the Sharki period this area showed the way via a unique Hindu-Muslim communal harmony whose legacy is still present here. Maharshi Yamadagni, upon some disagreement with Sahastrarjuna, the king of Punjab, the land of seven rivers, headed south and got captivated by the praiseworthy Nature of Gomti's pristine aims. Maharshi Yamdagni established his ashram on the right banks of the Gomti between Zafrabad and Jaunpur. To the present day, there is an ancient temple at this spot.

This temple is called the temple of Maharishi Yamdagni. This place is in Jamaitha village. Yamadagni started to live here alongwith his son Parashuram. This area was in the domain of the king of Ayodhya at the time and is called Ayodhyapuram. On account of the old enmity, king Sahastrarjun attacked the ashram and killed Maharishi Yamadagni. Enraged at the slaying of his father, the valorous Parashuram went to war and slate his father's assassin in battle.

Around sixth centaury B.C, during Buddha's time, the district of Jaunpur was under the king Prasenjit of Kosala. It is said that the Pali literature mentions Kerakat and Machhalishahr as part of Kasi Janapada and Buddhism held sway over the district for quite some time. The first arrival in the district of Jaunpur was of Raghuvanshi Kshattriyas. The king of Benares got his daughter married to the king of Ayodhya, Devakumar and gave away some part of his dominion as dowry in which the Raghuvanshis of Dobhi area settled themselves. Right after this occurred the arrival of Vatyagotri, Durgvanshi and Vyas Kshattriyas in this district. In this district the Bharas and Soiriyas held away. 

The Kshattriyas began to have conflicts with them. The Gaharwar Kshattriyas completely finished the domination of Bharas and Soiriyas. In the eleventh century the Gaharwar rajputs of Kannauj started making Jafrabad and Yaunapur (Jaunpur) rich and powerful. Vijaychand came here from Kannauj and got several mansions and forts built. Even today, the ruins of the fort south of Jafrabad can be seen In 1194 A.D., Qutubuddin Aibak attacked Mandev or Mandeya (present day Jafrabad). After defeating the then king Udaypal, he entrusted power to Dewanjeet Singh and headed towards Banares. The Gahadawal's were the last Hindu rulers of Jaunpur.

The district was part of the reign of Illtutmish. Ghyas-ud-din Tughlaq sent his son Zafar Khan in 1321 to Jaunpur. The town of Zafarabad was named after him. Subsequently Tatar Khan worked as governor of Zafarabad. The next governor was Ain-ul-Mulk. Firoz Tughlaq (1351-1388) founded the city of Jaunpur on the banks of river Gomati in memory of Muhammad Jauna (Muhammad bin Tughlak). Muhammed sent Khwaja Jahan to Jaunpur and honoured him with the title of Malik-ush-sharq meaning King of the East in the year 1394. He made Jaunpur his headquarters. The Saiyid dynasty at Jaunpur began in 1414. During the reign of Ibrahim at Jaunpur many learned people resided here. Ibrahim Shah finished the construction of the famous Atala Masjid in 1408. Subsequently Buhlol defeated Hussain and Sharqui kingdom of Jaunpur came to an end.The Sharqui rule lasted in Jaunpur for about 100 years till the subjugation by Sikandar Lodi. 

The Sharqui kingdom erected some notable monuments at Jaunpur, some of which are Atala Mosque, Jama Masjid, Jhanjhiri Masjid and Lal Darwaja Masjid. These are made in a distinct style known as Jaunpur architecture. Afterwards the importance of Jaunpur declined. After end of Sharqui dynasty the district of Jaunpur passed under the Mughal rule.

During the early period of Mughal's reign the Uzbeqs of Jaunpur revolted against Mughal power at Delhi. Munim Khan was the governor of Jaunpur during the reign of Akbar, later, Munim Khan was made the governor of Bengal. Under Akbar, Jaunpur was a sirkar under the Allahabad Subah. During the later period of Mughals, Balwant Singh was a notable administrator of this area. He died in 1770. At the time of Mutiny, a Sikh regiment was posted at Jaunpur. This regiment revolted against the British. After this the Sikhs left for Lucknow and as a consequence,the district got out of bound for the Britishers.

For the first time in 1818 A.D. the Deputy Collectorateship was established and later it became a separate district. In 1820 A.D., Azamgarh district was also brought under Jaunpur but some part of Azamgar in 1822 and the whole of Azamgarh in 1830 A.D. were separated from Jaunpur. All the Zamindars of the district were in revolt. During the independence struggle Motilal Nehru, Smt. Sarojini Naidu, Jawaharlal Nehru, Madan Mohan Malviya, Shaukat Ali and Muhammad Ali attended Congress meetings at Jaunpur. Mahatma Gandhi visited Jaunpur during October 1929. At last on August 15, 1947 the country and with it the district was liberated from alien rule and became to be independent.

There are many historical sites and worth-seeing sights in the district. All the historic & worth-seeing spots have their own special importance.The main ones among these are: SHAHI QIL, ATALA MASJID, JHANJHARI MASJID, Shahi Bridge built by Akbar and Sheetla Chaukia Dham are the chief attractions of tourists.