Kasganj

Kasganj
कासगंज
Kasganj

Location in Uttar Pradesh, India

Coordinates: 27°49′N 78°39′E / 27.82°N 78.65°ECoordinates: 27°49′N 78°39′E / 27.82°N 78.65°E
Country  India
State Uttar Pradesh
District Kasganj
Area
 • Total 2,218 km2 (856 sq mi)
Elevation 177 m (581 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 101,241
 • Density 46/km2 (120/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Hindi
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 207123
Telephone code 05744
Vehicle registration UP87
Website

www.kanshiramnagar.nic.in

www.kasganjadmin.in

Kasganj is a city and a district headquarters of Kasganj district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The city is popularly known as Kasganj because it was established in a thick forest of kans, a vegetation grown abundantly here.

History

Pre-Independence

Kasganj was also known as 'Khasgunge' or 'Khasganj' during Mughal and British period. According to 'Imperial Gazetteer of India Vol. XV' (1908) by William Wilson Hunter, Kasganj is said to have been founded by Yakub Khan, a eunuch in the service of Muhammad Khan, Nawab of Farrukhabad. [1] Kasganj then came in the hands of James V. Gardner(who was in the employs of Marathas and later in British service) and later died in June,1845 in Chhaoni, Kasganj.[2]Before James Gardner, his father Colonel William Linnaeus Gardner was also stationed here. William Gardner built his estate in Kasganj after retiring from army and he also died in Kasganj in July, 1835.[3]William and James Gardner belonged to the lineage of Baron Gardner of Uttoxeter, England. Evidences are that heir to the Barony of Gardner is still living somewhere around Kasganj. Famous writer and historian William Dalrymple also came to Kasganj in search of Julian Gardner, heir to the English Barony, while researching for his book 'White Mughals'.[4] Besides, the book of Fanny Parkes namely 'Wanderings of a Pilgrim in search of the Picturesque' gives details of her visits to Kasganj (then Khasgunge) and her mention of the town and Gardner Family.[5]

An older description mentioned Kasganj as standing on an elevated site, its drainage flowing towards the Kali Nadi(Black Stream) which runs about a mile south east of the town. The town was constituted a municipality in 1868. Kasganj set in the midst of the strategic Indo-Gangetic plain figured in military and political vicissitudes of ancient kingdom from the Mahabharata onwards. It formed part of the grand empire of Harshavardhan; and it finds mention in the accounts of the 7th century Chinese pilgrim Hsien Tsang (Xuanzang) who passed this way in 647 A.D.[6]

Atranji Khera, a village near Kasganj, is a major Archaeological excavation site. This site was first identified by Sir Alexander Cunningham in 1862. Excavation here began in 1962, which revealed that site was occupied from 1200 B.C to 300 B.C.[7]Various artefacts and ruined structures from ancient town have been found in Atranji Khera. Another village near Kasganj, Jakhera is also a major archaeological excavation site. Iron tools like sickles, hoes, ploughshare and terracotta figurines have been found from Jakhera which dates back to 1000B.C. to 600B.C. giving evidence that Jakhera was a part of Painted Grey Ware culture and Northern Black Polished Ware culture of ancient India.[8] Currently research is going on the collected artefacts. These evidences show that Kasganj has a rich history since ancient and medieval times.

Post Independence

The city was established here because it represented a centre point in the road connections between various small, ancient cities of District Etah, such as Bilram, Marehra, Etah, Sakeet, Atranji Khera and Aligarh. It was the junction of east, west and south UP, that very much reflects through peoples language,dresses and dishes. Direct impact of Brij Pradesh is very much evident. Hindu-Muslim culture is woven fine here. There is a long history of togetherness of both communities with love and respect to each other. Christians and Sikhs are also indispensable part of the society.

Geography

Kasganj is located at 27°49′N 78°39′E / 27.82°N 78.65°E. It has an average elevation of 177 metres (580 feet). Situated on the banks of river Kali, the town is in proximity of the Himalayan foothills. It is located in the Doab, the area between the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna and the alluvium soil makes the land one of the most fertile regions. A large number of surrounding villages depend on agriculture and related economic activities.

Population

Literacy Rate

Climate

Kasganj features a humid subtropical climate. Not far from the foothills of the Himalayas, the winters are moderate, with temperature sometimes reaching zero degrees. The summers are hot and dry, with temperatures regularly exceeding 40°C. The monsoon season runs from the end of June to September. During the monsoon season, almost daily showers are not an uncommon phenomenon. From October onward, the weather is pleasant. Proper winter begins in early December.

Landscape

The shape of Kali river is a unique geographical feature. The river originates in Doon Valley and merges with Ganga near Kanpur,. The Kali river also has two canals / aqueducts which pass over the river over two bridges specially made for this purpose. This attracts some curious onlookers and there is hope for its potential development as a good tourist spot around the region. This modern civil architectural wonder also serves as a flood control mechanism, as excess flood waters could be sucked in from the river with the pump set and poured in the canals.

Demographics

As per provisional data of 2011 census, Kasganj had a population of 101,241, out of which males were 53,507 and females were 47,734. The literacy rate was 78.56 per cent.[9]

Religions in Kasganj
Religion Percent
Hindus
  
 66%
Muslims
  
 32%
Jains
  
 1.4%
Others†
  
 0.6%
Distribution of religions
†Includes Sikhs (0.2%), Buddhists (<0.2%).

Cityscape

The city plan of Kasganj centres on four main roads crossing at right angles at the town's centre. These four roads lead to four different towns, named for their respective destinations: -

A huge clock tower (ghanta-ghar) stands imposingly at the centre of the crossing of these four roads. Its name, Barahdwari, means 'twelve doors'. The city was divided in four parts as muhallas - Jay Jay Ram, Nathuram, Mohan & Nawab. The town's major streets include Pachoriyan, Josiyan, Chhapatti, Pakki gali,Jhora Bhora, Manota, Sahab wala patch, Gali Lodhiyan and Soot ki mandi. Mehta Pustakalay Public Library is located at Nadrai Gate near Gandhi Murti (the statue of Mahatma Gandhi), an important local landmark & also the heart of the city. Two roads start there, one to the railway junction and the other to the Roadways bus stand along 'Laxmiganj' near 'Gol Darwaja also known Hathi Darwaja' The town's major colonies are javtri nagar(ashok nagar), Durga Colony, Gangeshwar Colony, Chitragupta Colony, State Bank Colony, Madhopuri, Maharana Pratap Nagar, Deen Dayal Puram, Lav-Kush Nagar, PWD Colony, Pankha Bala Bagh, Officers Colony, Pathan Chauk, Baddu Nagar etc.

Tourism

Although not a tourist destination itself there are a few nearby places of interest, such as Nadrai Ka Pul, 84 man ka ghanta, Prabhu Park, Chamunda Mandir, Kali Mandir, Bhuteshwar Mandir and Hulka Mandir.

New district

In recent years, the Kasganj area was elevated to district status and given the name Kanshi Ram Nagar, with the city retaining but now the name has been reverted to Kasganj

Education

Kasganj has a number of schools and colleges, both public and private.Hindi is generally the language of instruction for educational institutions in Kasganj, but English has been making inroads in the last few years. A number of English middle schools have been established.


No. of primary school 166

No of middle school (Boy's+girl's) 75+06 = 81

No of high school 18+01 = 19

No. of Intermediate college 08

No. of Degree College 05

No. of P.G. College 04

No. of Technical institutes 03

Economy

The economy relies a mix of trading, manufacturing and services. Trade centers on a range of goods, including wholesale dealings, food grains, pulses, vegetables, Sari, hosiery and other clothing materials. On the industrial side, factories and mills process cement, rice, deshi ghee, carpeting, milk and brick, Detergents. A number of cold storage facilities cater to the huge surrounding agricultural population.

Kasganj has a large railway infrastructure and support staff. This section of society contributes significantly to the local economy. Almost all of the leading national banks have a presence in the town. The town has a few lodges and small hotels.

Healthcare

The Indian Medical Association serves as the leading body for the provision of healthcare. "OrthoCare Rehab & Research Cenre" is a multi-specialty center for the rehabilitation of orthopaedic patients.

Some medical specialties are not yet well established in Kasganj.Unani Medical facilities are also available at Hakim Ajmal Khan Foundation,Tehsil Road. Indo Herbal Pharma www.indoherbalpharma.com is an Ayurvedic company witch also have its unit in kasganj,Greek Herbals(India) and Uma Pharma are also well known Herbal establishments here.

Culture

The Baradwari serves small makeshift shops, providing cloths, daily use items and footwear primarily to the surrounding rural population. During Ramlila season, these makeshift shops give way to temporary performing stages, where the life drama of Lord Rama is played daily after sunset until well into midnight for more than a week, culminating into a huge ceremonious and religious procession known as Raj-Gaddi. It is celebrated in the memory of the coronation of Lord Rama and followed by a procession of beginning of His reign in the ancient holy city of Ayodhya.

Chitragupta jayanti is celebrated during the month of Kartik dwitiya in the memory of Lord Chitragupta who was the accountant of Lord Yamraj. In this jayanti 'chitragupta followers' called kayastha, celebrate it with great enthusiasm and processions are taken out which show the glimpses from the life of Lord chitragupta.

Entertainment

Kasganj provides its inhabitants with entertainment in the form of two cinemas, Laxmi Talkies and Novelty Cinema. There had been six cinemas out of those four cinemas have already been closed down. The earliest one was Apana Talkies in Laxmiganj where the Prakash Foundry is situated. Apana talkies was famous for displaying "Alam Ara", the first Talkies of Indian cinama. One Talkies "Regal" was on railway road opposite Mankoo Rahat Industries. Payal cinema was situated on circular road near bus stand and National talkies was situated at nadri gate in the heart of city.

Cuisine

Kasganj is famous for its north Indian sweets especially for Son Papri, Mirchoni and dairy products.

Transport

Kasganj is strategically located and is well connected by road and railway network. It is situated on State Highway no 33 Agra -Budaun -Bareilly (also known as the Mathura-Barielly highway) and is 30 km away from the Grand Trunk Road, approachable from two places - Etah and Sikandra Rao.

Rail

Kasganj is located at an important railway junction and railway lines branch out from it in three directions. One goes to Kanpur and further to Lucknow, another to Budaun and the third one to Mathura. The two railway tracks to Kanpur and Mathura are now converted to broad gauge under Unigauge and the third track to Bareilly is being converted to broad gauge.

One more interesting fact about Kasganj is that it is surrounded by railway track from all sides. If you enter in Kasganj from any side (means from any road), you have to cross railway track.

Road

These towns are connected to Kasganj by road as well as Railways except Etah which is connected by road only. It is also connected to the capital of India, Delhi through very frequent roadways service. The frequency of road and rail transport to and from Kasganj makes it easily accessible day and night throughout the year.

Soron, also known as 'Soronji' among its devotees mostly from Rajasthan[10] is a small town known for its religious significance. It is located only 15 km from Kasganj. Since the construction of the road bridge on the 'Gangaji' it is very convenient to travel toward the Budaun and Bareilly side.

Kachhla, a small settlement on the banks of holy river Ganges, locally known as the Ganga, is only 30 km from Kasganj.


Distance Guide

References

  1. ↑ http://books.google.co.in/books/about/The_Imperial_Gazetteer_Of_India_Vol_Xv_K.html?id=4EhMPgAACAAJ&redir_esc=y
  2. ↑ https://histfam.familysearch.org//getperson.php?personID=I206379&tree=Welsh
  3. ↑ https://histfam.familysearch.org//getperson.php?personID=I206372&tree=Welsh
  4. ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/dec/08/india.lords
  5. ↑ http://books.google.co.in/books?id=vCK8AAAAIAAJ&q=khasgunge#v=snippet&q=khasgunge&f=false
  6. ↑ http://books.google.co.in/books?id=AjKURHnitt8C&pg=PA138&lpg=PA138&dq=khasgunge&source=bl&ots=iE4Ep23FjC&sig=L-ffZ0zST1U8EDugphyc1F0MfrA&hl=en&sa=X&ei=dtlNVPfcM4To8gXSxoLoCg&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAw#v=snippet&q=khasgunge&f=false
  7. ↑ http://www.fofweb.com/History/HistRefMain.asp?iPin=EAAC0064&SID=2&DatabaseName=Ancient+and+Medieval+History+Online&InputText=%22Atranjikhera%22&SearchStyle=&dTitle=Atranjikhera&TabRecordType=All+Records&BioCountPass=0&SubCountPass=2&DocCountPass=0&ImgCountPass=0&MapCountPass=0&FedCountPass=&MedCountPass=0&NewsCountPass=0&RecPosition=1&AmericanData=&WomenData=&AFHCData=&IndianData=&WorldData=&AncientData=Set&GovernmentData=
  8. ↑ https://en.unesco.org/silkroad/sites/silkroad/files/knowledge-bank-article/vol_I%20silk%20road_the%20painted%20grey%20ware%20culture%20of%20the%20iron%20age.pdf
  9. ↑ "Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above" (PDF). Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  10. ↑ Rajasthan,