| Shamsabad | |
| — city — | |
| Coordinates | |
| Country | India |
| State | Uttar Pradesh |
| District(s) | Farrukhabad |
| Population | 23,584 (2001[update]) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
Shamsabad is a town and a nagar panchayat in Farrukhabad district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
As of 2001[update] India census,[1] Shamsabad had a population of 23,584. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Shamsabad has an average literacy rate of 43%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 50%, and female literacy is 36%. In Shamsabad, 18% of the population is under 6 years of age. Mr. Nadeem Ahmed Farooqui is the chairman of Shamsabad. Mr. Salman Khurshid, a Union minister, is the member of parliament.
Introducing our quaint town Shamsabad in tehsil Kaimganj of Farrukhabad district, U.P., India. Note:- Shamsabad is erroneously mixed up with Swargdwari in the entries on Farrukhabad district in Wikipedia. Please see the note at the end.
1.GEOGRAPHIC DESCRIPTION
Shamsabad is situated latitude 27.32 longitude 79.28 at a distance of 22 km to the west of Farrukhabad. Most probably the river Ganges used to flow beside its northern boundary. A mohalla, locality called the Ghatiapur crossing point, is reminicient of this. The Ganges is about 4 km away now.
2.HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Shamsabad is a much older settlement than both Farrukhabad and Kaimganj, both of which were founded in the early 18th century A.D. Kampil, a nearby small town situated about 25 km to the west of Shamsabad is also an ancient site. It is associated with the Panchalas of Mahabharat fame. Historians believe that during their eastern migration, Indo-European language speaking people moved towards the middle Gangetic region and settlements like Kampil and Amritpur - a small town about 25 km from Shamsabad across the Ganges - also grew up.
There is no available written record about Shamsabad's ancient history as is generally the case with most of the old settlements but, the old ruins, in and around Shamsabad, the pot-sherds and old coins sometimes found here, speak of its golden past.
My father Nawab Mohd. Abbas and I invited a few teams of ancient and medieval history scholars to Shamsabad. According to them the settlement here is about 2,500 years old, as the typical Northern Black Polished Ware can be seen here.
During most of the 9th to 12th century period Shamsabad - then known as 'Khor Nagar' - 'Khor' meaning king and 'nagar' meaning city - was ruled first by the Pratihars, then by the Gaharwars dynasties from Kannauj. It is variously said that one Prajan Pal or Jai Singh Dev or Rai Singh Gaharwar was the ruler at the time of Shams Uddin Iltitmish's invasion circa 1212 and Shamsabad is named after the latter. However, Zia Uddin Barni in his 'Tareekh-e- Firozshahi' written about 150 years after the death of Shams Uddin Iltitmish still uses the name of the place as 'Khor Nagar' when describing an unusual incident which occurred in the Ganges here.
During Delhi's Sultanant period 1202-1526 Shamsabad was quite an important place, being the subedari-provincial-capital. A road from the east to Delhi went through it.
Shamsabad, being a strategic town on the fluid boundary between the Lodis of Delhi (1451–1526) and the Sharqi kings of Jaunpur, was a hot spot and exchanged hands between the two.There is still a graveyard in the east of Shamsabad known as 'ganj-e-shaheedan' where a battle was fought between the Lodis and the Sharqis. Both Khizr Khan (1414–1421) and Sikandar Lodi (1489–1517) -Delhi Sultanat kings- came to Shamsabad. Sikandar Lodi camped near Shamsabad for 6 months and a village called Sikandar pur Mahmood to the west of Shamsabad might have been named after this event. Sikandar Lodi had Imad Khan Farmoli and Sulaiman Khan Farmoli as his Subedars in Shamsabad. Another village almost adjacent to Sikandar pur Mahmood is known as Imad pur. This strengthens the view that both of these villages were named after Sikandar Lodi and Imad Khan respectively.
The Moghals who succeeded in establishing their kingdom in 1526 also took interest in Shamsabad. Babar made Vikrama Jeet Sisodia his Subedar -provincial governor- of Shamsabad in 1528.
Humayun, following his defeat by Sher Shah Suri circa 1541 at Chausa (after which village the famous mango variety is named) near Kannauj fled to Delhi through Shamsabad. The Saiyyeds of Shamsabad provided boats for Humayun as the Ganges was in spate. Sher Shah was in hot pursuit and this help by the Saiyyeds made him furious. However, considering the religious sanctity of the Saiyyeds he gave them the lesser punishment of having their ears cut off but dealt with the others who helped Humayun much more severly.
In Akbar's reign (1556–1605) Shamsabad was made a pargane (Tehsil) of Kannauj Sarkar (District). Mirza Tahir and Rai Damodar Das -a Kayastha- were Akbar's chief officers who rebuilt Shamsabad from 1589.
A village adjacent to Shamsabad at its northern boundary is known as Akbar pur Damodar. A mohalla called Manjhli Haveli is said to be named after the residence of the middle son of Rai Damodar Das. This mohalla is also in the northern part of Shamsabad. There was a reputed madrasa (school) in Shamsabad during Akbar's reign and even his courtier, the well known historian Abdul Qadir Badyuni, stayed here for sometime.
After the weakening of the Moghal Empire and the founding of Farrukhabad in 1714 by Mohammed Khan Bangash - a Subedar of Farrukh Siyar -the Moghal King in Delhi, Shamsabad was de facto ruled by the Bangash Nawabs till their treaty with East India Company in June, 1802. Thereafter, till 1947, it was under the British rule with the exception of a few months in the First War of Independence in 1857.
Shamsabad and its people also played some part in this war. Finally, the English troops defeated the freedom fighters in January,1858 at a place called Jhanna Khar to the west of Shamsabad. Shamsabad came under the Notified/Town Area Act in 1908. It has 33 mohallas and in 2011 census its provisional popoulation is 27,385.
3. SOCIAL SCENE
We have little knowledge how life was led on a day to day basis but, like any other town, Shamsabad had a few representative families to form the fulcrum of socio/economic/religious life.
Some old families:
3.1 Pandeys:- There are some Pandey families in mohalla Sawan tola (previously known as Sahukaran) who claim that they are "Khor Ke Pandey", thus they may have been here for the last 1,OOO years.
3.2. Naqvi Saiyyeds:-Thee are some Naqvi Saiyyed families in mohalla Syedwara Farukh Husain who say that the graves in the Shahi/Congregational mosque ( see below) on Kot are of their ancestors Syed Salem and others who came with Shams Uddin Iltitmish circa 1212.
One prominent family of mohalla Syedwara Ali Ahmad still has the Farman-order of Shah Jahan (1628–1658) granting their ancestors a number of villages.The author has seen the order some time back.
3.3 Saiyyeds of mohalla Meeran Darwaza:-They claim their ancestry from the brother of Meer Azeez Ullah Makki (see below), thus are here for about 800 years.
3.4 Kayasths of mohalla Chaukhanda;- Kayasths were more or less hereditory land record keepers during the Muslim period.Their old houses and temple speak of their past glories. The Kayasths of Shamsabad played an important part in keeping the flame of academics alight. One Jhunkoo Lal Saxena, with the pen name of 'Dilgeer', was a well know poet of elegy writing on Karbala martyrdom in the early 19th century. Another poet from this educated community was Mr. Rajendra Narain Saxena "Bismil'who died recently. He published 4 volumes of his poetic work.
Incidentally, most of the Kayasths of Shamsabad belong to Saxena branch which according to one historian owes its name to Sankisa (A Buddhist site) in Farrukhabd disrict) where an Ashokan pillar can be seen.
3.5. A family which finally settled down at Shamsabad in 1838 is the branch of the Safawi Kings of Iran (1502–1736). Their migration from Iran circa 1737 after the overthrow of the dynasty by Nadir Shah Durrani/Afshar and the long journey via Delhi-Patna-Delhi-Lucknow and ultimately to Shamsabad is a tale of bravery, trepidations, hopes, riches, pecuniary distress and a testimony to human endurance and resilience.
The founder of this branch was Nawab S. Muhammed Ali Safawi a.k.a. Nawab Doolha (1807–1877). He married Nawab Jafri Begum d/o Nawab Fazl-e-Ali Khan who was the Chief Minister -1828-1829- in the court of Nawab Naseer Uddin Haider, the Awadh king in Lucknow (1827–1837).
With increasing fortune this family bought the indigo business run by the Europeans in and around Shamsabad along with their residential and storage areas and built their residence in a locality loosely called Godam - a Malayan word for a store house.
This family has a long lasting love and respect for academics. Apart from financial contributions to encourage modern education right from 1825, the family has award winning authors, about 50 published books and a very large number of booklets, articles and short stories, etc., to its credit.
"Aab-e-Hayat" a book written by Nawab S. M. Ali Safawi on 'Unani medicine' is supposed to be the first ever in Urdu. There were several poets in the family and for quite some time a monthly 'mushaira' - a seminar on poetry - was held. Nawab S. Jafar Ali Khan a.k.a Nawab Pyarey was known across countries for 'tareekh goee' - poetry for chronograms and used to get requests from abroad for the chronographs.
Presently Prof Azarmi Dukht Safawi is the rightful successor to this academic legacy. She is the founder director of The Institute of Persian Research in Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. She is an internationally known name in her field, has published several books and papers and has been given many national and intenational awards.
5.6 Pathans:- Shamsabad has quite a large population of Pathans living in different mohallas. At least one family of mohalla Dalmeer Khan has its ancestry from Akbar's subedar Husain Ahmad Tukria. There is still a locality nearby known as Tukrian.
5.7 Qazis:- Qazis of mohalla Qazi Tola and Meeran Darwaza are also old inhabitants of Shamsabad. Like the Pathans they, too, have joined the mainstream of society giving up the old role of dispensing justice and authorising the sale deeds by stamping them (one such deed in the author's possession belongs to the mid-19th century).
5.8. Rastogis/Guptas/Ansaris are the other major communities in Shamsabad. Being mostly in business, they are educationally and economically better off than the average population.
5.9 Apart from Dalits, other traditional communities like Qureshis, Sharmas, Sulaimanis, etc., are suitably employed in their traditnal trades.
6. SOME OLD MONUMENTS AND BUILDINGS IN AND AROUND SHAMSABAD:-
1. Chau Mukhey Mahadev:- This temple is about 1 km northwest of Shamsabad.The main object of worship is dated to be about 800 to 1,000 years old.
2. Kot Ki Masjid/Shahi/Congrgational Mosque:- This is built on the site of a Tell ( mound ) which is the site of old settlements.This mosque has a chronogram engraved on the stone on the top of the central door which shows that it was built in 702 Hijri circa 1302 AD by one Muhammed Khan. He might have been a subedar or some other official in Ala Uddin Khilji's reign (1296–1316).
3. Meer Saheb Ki Ziarat:- It is believed that a saint Meer Azeez Ullah Makki is buried here. His period coincides with Shams Uddin Iltitmish's invasion period. However,the structure is not old.
4. Khuzade Ka Gumbad:- It is in the east of Shamsabad and has the grave of one Saiyyed Muhammed Khuzade. According to some historians it was constructed during Shan Jahan's reign (1628–1658).
5. Sati Ki Mathia:- It is in the northeast of Shamsabad.
6. Baradari is in the southeast of Shamsabad. It has the grave of Nawab Mirza Khan, younger brother of Nawab Rashid Khan whose architecturally fine tomb is in Mau Rashidabad, near Kaimganj. Nawab Mirza Khan was killed fighting in Deccan in the late 17th century but as he was the Chief Officer of Shamsabad during Aurangzeb's reign (1658–1706) it was Mirza Khan's wish that he be buried in Shamsabad.
7. Grave of Saiyyed Kamal in the east of Shamsabad popularly known as Khirni Wale Baba. In the opinion of some believers this grave has miraculous powers.
8. Tomb of Shah Husain;- It is in the southwest of Shamsabad and a saint, Shah Husain of early 19th century, is buried here.
9. Karbala:- A copy of the mausoleum of Imam Husain in Iraq.
In 1867 a large plot of land was converted into a family graveyard and Karbala by Nawab Jafri Begum. The complex was built by the architects from Lucknow. Its central dome is well proportioned.
Every year the 'tazias' -paper copies of Karbala -are buried here by most of the Shias of Shamsabad.
7. SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND FESTIVALS:-
7.1 Dussehra is observed here with traditional zest. Processions are taken out for 12 days or more and Ram Leela - a dramatic version of Ramayan stories is dramatised in the evenings.
7.2 Deepawali and Holi are also celebrated with great enthusiasm.
7.3 Kite flying, with matches sometimes thrown in, is the main attraction for youngsters during Holi.
7.4 Moharram:- Moharram is observed here with traditional 'majlises' -sittings where the tragedy of Karbala is described -and procession of 'alams' -copies of the standard of Imam Husain - and 'tazias' are taken out.
There is a central 'Imam Bara' called 'Bara Imam Bara' which was established in the late 19th century - the present building is about 80 years old years old- where many famous orators have made addresses.
7.5 'Urs':- Qawwalis - a form of devotional Sufi music - at Meer Saheb Ki Ziarat. This yearly commemorative event is normally held in April with great enthusiasm.
Some other places related to different saints also have yearly commemorations.
7.6 Bara Wafat:- Every year the birthday of prophet Muhammed is celebrated according to the Hijri calendar with great zeal and taking out of large processions.
8 EDUCATION AND HEALTH:-
There are two Intermediate Colleges for girls and one Intermediate College for boys apart from many private and government lower schools.
One female hospital which was built by private donations and run by the provincial government has been working off and on since 1914. Fortunately it has been upgraded by the government recently. Apart from the government run hospital there are several privately run clinics. But, a lot needs to be done both on providing quality education and health caring.
9 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN SHAMSABAD:-
Unfortunately, no industry worth the name is here to provide employment. So the youth of Shamsabad mostly go to Delhi to get some sort of employment there.
Lately, 'Karchob' work is providing and sustaining the general population to a great extent, especially as women also have become bread earners. The 'Karchob' work of Shamsabad is thought to be of high quality.
In the Delhi Sultanat period, swords and cloth made here were quite sought after.
Some jobs are provided by chewing tobacco cottage industry.
Guava orchards around Shamsabad also provide seasonal employment apart from general agricultural activities, especially tobacco growing which is very labour oriented.
Note: Swargdwari;- Some authors wrongly thought that the place known as Swargdwari where Mohd. Tughlaq (1325–1351) stayed for quite some time in the great famine years of the early 1340s and Shamsabad are the same place. They might have been misled to this idea by Ibn-e- Batuta -famous traveller- who accompanied Mohd Tughlaq, who is a bit ambiguous in describing the place. However, some years back Prof Iqdidar Alam Khan and his team from the Department of Advanced history, Aligarh Muslim university, Aligarh have conclusivlely proved that the two are different places.