Jaunpur is a city and a municipal board in Jaunpur district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located 228 km southeast of state capital Lucknow.
Area: 4,038 Sq. Km.
Population: 44,94,204
Male: 22,20,465
Female: 22,73,739
Language: Hindi
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. 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.
This area was in the domain of the king of Ayodhya at the time and is called Ayodhyapuram. Jaunpur was under the dominion of Benares and then it was in the hands of the Regiment Dekana. 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. was separated from Jaunpur.
Famous places that attracts people from all over the world are-
1) Atala masjid-In 1408 A.D., Ibrahim Shah Sharki built the Atala Masjid . In this mosque, beautiful galleries were built by surrounding it with artistic walls. Its height is more than 100 ft.
2) Jhanjari Masjid-This was built by Ibrahim Sharki at the time of the construction of Atala and Khalis mosques as this locality was settled-in by Ibrahim Sharki himself.It was the place of saints and pandits. Within this mosque there are extremely beautiful “jhanjhariyas” of archdes.This mosque is a very beautiful example of early architecture.
3) Masjid Lal Darwaza-This mosque has been built by V.V.Raje, wife of Sultan Mahamud Shah Sharki in 1455 A.D.Its outer area is 212 x 188 sq.ft. It has three gateways and a courtyard.
4) Sheetala mata chaukiya-Heerchand Yadav is considered the first Aheer ruler of Jaunpur. The descendants of this clan used to surname ‘Ahir’. These people built forts at Chandvak and Gopalpur.
5) Shahi Quila-Situated in the heart of the city on the left bank of the Gomti, Shahi Qila was built by Freoze Shah in 1362 A.D.Muneer Khan had got its majestic front gate built with a view to security and it was decorated with blue and yellow stones. Inside, there is a bath in the Turkish style ad a Mosque too.
6) Jama Masjid-This mosque is quite extensive, artistic and attractive and there are 27 steps to the top. Its southern gateway is 20 ft. above ground level.
7) Shahi pul-This famous bridge of Jaunpur was built by Munyeen Khankhana in 1564 on the orders of Akbar during his reign. This is a one of its kind bridge in India and its carriageway is at ground level. The width of the bridge is 26 ft. with 2 ft. 3 inch wide kerfs on both sides.
