City Of Faizabad (Hindi: फ़ैज़ाबाद) Is The Headquarters Of Faizabad District And A Municipal Board In The State Of Uttar Pradesh, India, Situated On The Banks Of River Ghaghra (Locally Known As Saryu).
Faizabad has a twin city of Ayodhya, which is considered to be the birthplace of Rama. It was the first capital of the Nawabs of Awadh and has monuments built by the Nawabs of Avadh, like the tomb of Bahu Begum, Gulab-bari etc.
Namesakes:
The Town of Fyzabad in Trinidad and Tobago is named after Faizabad, when indentured labourers from Faizabad and other districts in Uttar Pradesh were taken to the islands. There are towns with same name in Afghanistan (Fayzabad, Badakhshan) and Tajikistan (Faizobod) as well. Fayzabad in Afghanistan is the administrative headquarter of the Badakhshan Province.
History:
The earliest reference made to Faizabad is in the Ramayan, in which the city is referred to as 'Saket', the mythical private estate of King Dashrath, father of Lord Ram. However, more accurately, the reference is found in Medieval and Modern history, when Nawab Sa'adat Khan, Burhan-ul-Mulk was given the charge of the Subah (province) of Awadh (sometimes also spelled as Avadh) around 1722 by the Mughal Court. Nawab Sa'adat Khan made the first settlements along the banks of Ghaghra with a cantonment consisting of a fortress and mud barracks. Due to these temporary dwellings, Faizabad was first known as 'Bangla' (implied meaning- hutment). The city was developed later on by Sa'adat Khan's successor, Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula into a full fledged capital city, with gardens, palaces, markets, roads and other infrastructure. Under Shuja-ud-Daula's reign Faizabad achieved its culmination as an important centre of trade and commerce in northern India and attracted travellers, writers, merchants, artists and courtesans from sll over Europe and Asia. Shuja-ud-Daula also built a fortress on the banks of Saryu after he lost the battle of Buxar in 1764. however, this fort now is nothing more than a hummock.
Faizabad was also a centre of one of many battles of the Mutiny of 1857. A detailed history of Faizabad can be read in 'Tareekh-e-Farahbaksh', written by Mohd. Faiz Baksh, (after whom Faizabad is named) a courtier in the Shuja-ud-Daula's court. This book has been translated into English by Hamid Afaq Qureshi as 'Memoirs of Faizabad'. Faizabad also finds a prominent and detailed mention in 'Guzishta Lakhnau' written by Maulvi Abdul Halim 'Sharar'. The third nawab of Awadh, Nawab Asaf-ud-Dowlah (also, Asaf-ud-Daula), shifted the Capital of Avadh to Lucknow in 1775.
A section of people believe that the prominent Indian freedom fighter and revolutionary, Subash Chandra Bose spent his last days in Faizabad living incognito as a godman called 'Gumnami Baba'. This came under attention when 'Gumnami Baba' died in 1985 and was cremated secretively on the banks of river saryu (a memorial has been built at that place), in the dead of night, in the light of a motorcycle's headlight. Its also said that at the time of cremation his face was disfigured by acid to protect his identity. However, no government enquiry was launched into this matter and the identity of Gumnami Baba still remains an enigma.
The Revolutionary Acharya Narendra Dev was also born and lived in Faizabad
Accessibilty:
By Air Nearest airports are Lucknow (128 km).
Faizabad Airport: Faizabad Airport (India) is being renovated.
By Road Faizabad is situated on National Highway 28 and has good connectivity with Lucknow (128 km). The state government's Road Transport Service runs regular and frequent buses to and from these cities.
By Rail The Indian Railways network connects Faizabad directly with Lucknow (3 hours.).
Faizabad International Sport Stadium:
Bhim Rao Ambedkar International Sports Stadium is the part of Rs.80 crore project for sports complex project of state government.
Places:
Gulab Bari: Literally meaning 'Garden of Roses'. Gulab Bari is a houses maqbara (Mausoleum) of Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula, the second Nawab of Oudh (now Avadh) in the campus.
Military Temple: (The Dogra Regimental Centre/ Corps of Military Police CMP Temple) Located in cantonment area, this temple is beautifully built and the cleanlines and the pollution free environment is just spiritual.
Guptar Ghat: The Ghat (Jetty) where Lord Rama is believed to have taken 'jal samadhi' (leaving the earth for 'Baikuntha', the divine abode of Lord Vishnu, by drowning himself). It has picturesque view of the saryu river and its green banks and has several ancient temples. The view of sunset from Guptar Ghat is breathtaking. a boat ride is a must while visiting this place.
Company Gardens: Adjoining Guptar Ghat, on the banks of River Saryu, is Company Gardens, a botanical garden built during British Rule. it has a well maintained, sprawling garden set amidst lush greenery, far away from the hustle and bustle of the town. The remains of the fort built by Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula after the battle of Buxar is also within walking distance.
Ghanta Ghar: The heart of Faizabad city, houses a clock tower (Ghanta means 'clock' in Hindi and Ghar is the Hindi word for 'house') in the middle of the city center. All distances within the city are measured from this location. The place is also known as Chowk, which houses the main vegetable and spice market in the town.
Bahu Begum ka Maqbara: (The Mausoleum of the Queen Bride) the memorial built for queen of Nawab Shujah-ud-Daulah, Unmatuzzohra Bano Begum. Its one of the tallest buildings in Faizabad and is a beautiful example of non-mughal Muslim architecture. Sadly, this beautiful monument is a victim of neglect and is crumbling.
Shringi Rishi Ashram: 40 km from Faizabad in Gosainganj is ashram of Sage (Rishi in Sanskrit/Hindi) Shringi. Shringi Rishi performed 'Putrakameshti Yajya' for King Dashrath of Ayodhya, after that Lord Rama and his three brothers were born. There is an ashram of Shringi Rishi situated at Sherwaghat near Mehbubganj 40 km from Gosainganj on the banks of Sarayu river at Sherwa Ghat. The boons and curse uttered by him were proved to be absolutely true. Rishi Shringi was a distinguished expert of the super science of mantras. A temple of Shringi Rishi, is also located at Sherwaghat, and a fair is held every year in May in his honour. A cave is also located in district Faizabad near Mehbubganj Near Gosaiganj where he is supposed to have stayed. It is a long cave where he is supposed to do 'yagna' (Ritual) and is worth seeing
Shoping:
Chowk: Next to Ghanta Ghar, is the central market of Faizabad town. One can find vegetables, fruits and spices in this market. Also, there are numerous jewellery shops in the area which cater to Faizabad town and many villages which lie in near-by areas. Some leading cloth shops could be easily found in this area. This market also has many prominent books and stationary shops of the town. Plenty of aloo-chat shops. There is a parking facility right in the centre of chowk. Big sabzi mandi offers fresh vegetables, directly from the nearby farms.
Rekabgunj: About a kilometer away from Chowk (towards Lucknow) lies the Rekabgunj market which has a multitude of pharmacies. Many Restaurants and Hotels are there when going towards Lucknow. This is one of the Tourist's spot.
Bajaja: A place adjacent to Chowk towards Sultanpur Road holds a market for Clothes and garments. In Urdu Bajaja means cloth market.
Fatehganj: This is a market mainly for wholesale grocery and other hose hold items. This area is on the same road on which Bajaja falls. This is the place which is near to Bus Station as well as Railway Station. This is one of the Tourist's spot.
Gudribazaar: This is also known as "Loha-Bazaar". One Hanuman Temple is there in this place, which is one of the famous temple.
Educational institutions:
There are two Universities in Faizabad District, Dr.Ram Manohar Lohia Awadh University (formerly Awadh University). Awadh University and Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology in Kumarganj Faizabad (NDUAT). Kamta Prasad Sundar Lal Saket Post-Graduate degree college, one of the finest PG college of Awadh university, is also situated in Ayodhya, Faizabad.
Gallery:
The temple at Guptar Ghat
Bahu Begum ka Maqbara (Bahu Begum's Mausoluem)
Faizabad's Railway Station
Gulab Bari
Chowk, its clock tower.
Company Garden
