Brief History of the District:
The district bears its name and fame from renowned, ascetic 'Gorakshnath', who was an eminent profounder saint of 'Nath Sampradaya', a deity of great fame in Nepal. He is said to have founder the city of Gorakhpur. A famous shrine 'Gorakhnath' was built in his honour on the same spot where he practiced austerities.
In the ancient times the region was ruled by Iksvaku with his capital at Ayodhya. The monarch founded the star dynasty of Ksatriyas. Subsequently, the district was divided in a number of republics under the sovereignty of the kingdom of Kosala. The republics which had only a portion of their territory in the district, were the Sakyas of Kapilvastu (in Basti District) and the Mallar of Kushinagar and Para (in Deoria District). The state of Sakyas lay in the western part of the District by the sixth century B.C. These republics become independent entities with defined territories. They had organized government and wielded more or less sovereign power. Gautam Buddha of the Sakya class, a great religious teacher, exercised enormous spiritual influence on these republics and the people had great respect for him. In the middle of the fourth century BC. Maha Padma , the Nanda king of Magadh in order to overthrow the kingdom of Kosala, attached the district and annexed the territory comprising the republic of the Koliyas and Sakyas. In the beginning of the fourth century A.D., the region covered by the district fell within the central core of the empire of Chandra Gupta -I (320-325A.D.), whose political power was enhanced to a great extent by virtue of his marriage with the Licchavi princess, Kumardevi. In the post Gupta period this region fell in the domination of the Maukharis followed by Harsh of Kannauj. In the ninth century A.D. this district was dominated by the Gurjara-Pratikaras and formed part of the Sravasti Bhukti of their empire.
The Tharu King, Man Sen or Madan Singh (900-950A.D.) ruled over Gorakhpur city and the adjoining area. A large tank at Gorakhpur called Mansarover is ascribed to him and a smallar one called Kaulada to his wife, Kulawati. He was reputed to have immense wealth which induced Donwar Rajputs to invade his capital and oust him. There after they established themselves in the east of the Gorakhpur city constructed fort which was called Domingarh. The ruins of Domingarh are still found in the shape of a mound built of large thick and square bricks.
After the decline of Gurjara-Pratiharas Laksna Karna (1041-1042AD.) of Kalachuri dynasty of Tripuri who came to power, brought under his control almost the entire region covered by the present district of Gorakhpur. But his son and successor Yash Karna (1073-1120A.D.) was unable to check the process of disintegration. The defeat of Jaychandra (1170-1194A.D.) grandson of Govind Chandra, at the hands of Shahab-ud-din Ghuri in 1194, paralysed the Gahadvala power and brought to an end their dominance over the district. As a result, a number of small principalities held by Sarnet, Douwar, Kaushik, Rajputs, and Bhars came into existence in different parts of the district.
In the early medieval period the Gorakhpur region was passed nominally into the hold of Qutub-ud-din Aibak (1193) the Delhi Saltanat (1451-1488). It was in 1565 that the region drew attention of Akbar, when the Uzbegs under their leader Khan Zaman (Ali Quli Khan), the Governor of Jaunpur rose in revolt against the emperor. A Muslim garrison was stationed at Gorakhpur and for the first time the district become an integral part of the empire. After thw defeat and death of Khan Zaman in 1567, the emperor bestowed his Jagirs in Jaunpur on Muin Khan and since then the town became a place of possessing a coppernint. On Akbar’s reorganization of the empire, Gorakhpur gave its name to one of the five Sirkars comprising the province of Avadh. The Gorakhpur Sirkars with 24 Mahals now in districts of Gorakhpur, Basti, Gonda and Azamgarh had an area of 2,44,283 bighas (3256 hectares) yielding 1,19,26,190 dons as revenue. In 1610 Jahangir (1605-1627) bestowed the chief of Gorakhpur on Afzal Khan, the Governor of Bihar, who made the district his residence in preference to the official capital at Patna. In the region of Shah Jahan (1628-1658) the district continued to be a part of the Subah of Avadh and Gorakhpur Sirkar coasted of 119 Mahals. About the 1680, Aurangzeb appointed Kazi Khalil-ul-Rehman as Chaclidar of Gorakhpur. At the end of the 17th century A.D prince Muazzam, afterwards known as Bahadur Shah came to Gorakhpur for hunting and to him is ascribed the Jama Masjid at Gorakhpur. In his honour a division newly carved out from the Sirkars of Gorakhpur and Saran was named Muazzamabad and by this little district of Gorakhpur is mentioned in all official records from this date to that of its cession in 1801. In the same year the arrears of subsidies, due under various treaties for the use of English troops had reached an amount which Nawab Saadat Ali Khan found himself quite unable to pay. To wipe off the debt, Saadat Ali Khan ceased Gorakhpur and other tracts to the East India Company by the treaty of 10th November, 1801. The condition of the district at the time of cession was very wretched. It is described as almost entirely without administration, overgrown with jungle, road less infested by robbers and in many places laid waste by the armed retainers of the principal landholders. Long before the cession the Gurkhas had taken advantage of the prevailing anarchy to augment their possessions in the plains.
During the freedom struggle (1857-58) the civil administration was re-established in the district. The commissionerships of Gorakhpur and Varanasi divisions were combined. The size of the district was however, too large to be administered as a single unit. Therefore, in 1865, a new district of Basti was formed with six Parganas of Gorakhpur along with the great part of Maghar and pargana of Binayakpur. In 1869 for the administration of the civil town of
Gorakhpur, a municipality was setup. The district faced a severe famine in 1873-74. The Head Qatar of North Western Railways Division was established in the district on January 15th, 1885. The commissionership of Gorakhpur was, however, revived on April 1,1891.
The non co-operation movement of the congress had taken root in the district in 1920 and received a great impetus from Gandhi ji’s first visit to the district on 8 February,1921. In year 1923, political meeting and conferences were held in all parts of the district. Moti Lal Nehru, Jawahar Lal Nehru and Dr. Mahmud visited the district on several occasions between 1921 & 1926. It was in the Gorakhpur district jail that Ram Prasad ‘Bismil’ the freedom fighter convicted in the famous Kakori case, was hanged to death on December 18,1926.
Civil Disobedience Movement started in the district in 1930-34. Gandhi ji on his second visit to this district received a tumultuous ovation everywhere he went. His visit was commemorated by establishing district and tahsil congress committees actively supported by other bodies, which came into being at about the same time, like the youth Leauge, the Naujawan Dal, the Navyuwak Sewa Sangh, the Kisan Sabha etc. The activities of these bodies developed on an all India pattern, starting with the boycott of foreign cloths and liquor, picketing of such shops and the cutting of today trees. During the salt Satyagraha Movement of 1930, Gorakhpur played an important part. In 1931,the people of the district participated in the Kisan movement which took the form of a protest against the oppression committed by the Zamindars. Rafi Ahmad Kidwai and Sampurn Nanad visited the district in 1935 and condemned the British tyranny. This was followed by the visit of certain other national leaders in 1940, prominent among whom being Govind Ballabh Pant and Jawahar Lal Nehru. The trial of Jawahar Lal Nehru Commenced in that very year in this district in which he was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment of four years. The district did not lag behind in the Quit India Movement of August, 1942. Almost everywhere in the district it started with Hartals, Protest meetings, processions and defying of prohibitory orders. Another important event took place at Doharia (In Sahjanwa Tehsil ) on 23rd August,1942. In response to the famous Quit India Movement of 1942, a meeting was held to register its protest against the British Government at Doharia but the latter responded with unprovoked firing, killing nine and injuring hundreds. A Shaheed Smarak , in their memory, stands there which still today keeps their memory alive.
Gorakhpur rose to great eminence due to the historic 'CHAURI CHAURA' incident of 4th Feb.,1922, which was a turning -point in the history of India's freedom struggle. Enraged at the inhuman barbaric atrocities of the police, the volunteers burnt down the Chauri-Chaura Police Station, killing nineteen policemen at the premises. With this violence, Mahatma Gandhi withdrew the Non Cooperation Movement launched in 1920. District got independence with other parts of India on August 1947.
Gorakhpur is also identified with the Gita Press, the world famous publisher of the Hindu religious books. The most famous publication is 'KALYAN' magazine. All 18 parts of Shree Bhagwat Gita is written on its marble-walls. Other wall hangings and paintings reveal the events of life of Lord Ram and Krishna. The Gita Press is fore-front in dissemination of religious and spiritual consciousness across the country.
Administrative Setup:
The seat of district administration is at Gorakhpur. To provide efficient administration the district is administratively divided into 07 tahsils namely, Campierganj, Sahjanwa, Gorakhpur, Chauri Chaura, Bansgaon, Khajni and Gola. For implementation and monitoring of development scheme the district is divided into 19 Development Blocks namely Campierganj, Jangal Kodia, Pali, Sahjanwa, Piprauli, Chirgawan, Bhathat, Khorabar, Pipraich, Sardarnagar, Brahmpur, Khajani, Uruwa, Belghat, Bansgaon, Kauri Ram, Gaugaha, Gola and Barhalganj. Total area of the district is 3321.0 Sq. Km. The rural area covers 3106.4 Sq. Km. and urban recorded 214.6 Sq. Km. There are 1233 Gram Panchayats and 3119 Revenue villages with 2937 inhabited villages and 382 uninhabited villages in the district. In urban area there are 08 statutory Towns and 06 Census Towns. Statutory Towns comprises of 01 Nagar Nigam (Municipal Corporation), and 07 Nagar Panchayats.
Jurisdictional Changes (2001-2011)
District Administration:
District administration comprises of Revenue, Development, Police (Law and Order), Judiciary, and Local self-government. District Magistrate is In-charge of revenue & administration. He is assisted by Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) i.e., ADM (F&R). At the tahsil level Sub Divisional Magistrate is In-charge, who is now redesignated as Up-Jila Adhikari. He is assisted by Tahsildars in each tahsil and for revenue collection each tahsil is further entrusted to Naib Tahsildars and Kanongos's circles respectively. For each revenue village, Lekhpal is In-charge.
Chief Development Officer (C.D.O) and District Development Officer (D.D.O) are In-charge for development activities in the district. They also assist District Magistrate for implementation and monitoring of various development schemes in the district. Project Director is also deployed to assist D.M and C.D.O. in formations & supervision of different development programmes in the district. For development of rural area, district is further divided into Development Block well known as Vikas Khand (also known as Office of Kshetra Panchayats). Block Development Officers (B.D.O) look after development works at Blocks level. For his assistance Assistant Development Officer and at village level Village Development Officers have been deployed.
Under the police set-up Senior Superintendent of Police (S.S.P) and Superintendent of Police (S.P) are In-charge of their respective district. Additional Superintendent of Police (A.S.P) is also deployed to assist S.S.P/S.P in their respective area. Deputy Superintendent of Police (D.S.P)/ Circle Officer (C.O) look-after the law and order of the area allotted to them. Police Inspectors and Sub Inspectors are In charges of their respective Thanas/Police stations depending upon the population and area.
The Judicial administration of the District is headed by District and Session Judge. In addition to him there are several Additional District Judge, Civil Judge, Chief Judicial Magistrate and Munsif Magistrate and others judiciary officer are also posted to look after legal matters.
Besides these administrative officers a number of other district level officers are also posted at District headquarters. Other District Level of Offices are District Informatics Officer (NIC), Field Publicity Officer and Income Tax Officer, Sr. Treasury Officer, District Supply Officer, District Agriculture Officer, District Economics & Statistical Officer, District Savings Officer, District Sports Officer, District Employment Officer, Trade tax Officer, Entertainment Tax Officer, District Prosecution Officer, District Excise Officer, General Manager District Industry Centre, Plant Protection Officer, District Panchayat Raj Officer, District Programme Officer, Basic Shiksha Adhikari, District Inspector of Schools, Sp. Land acquisition Officer, District Social Welfare Officer, Minority Welfare Officer, Project Manager (U.P.L.D.C.), Asstt. Regional Transport Officer, Asstt. District Election Officer, and District Soldier welfare Officer are also deployed for monitoring and execution of various development activities in there district.
The Nucleus of the district body for self government is consisted of Mayor & Nagar Ayukat at Nagar Nigam level and Executive Officer (E.O) & Chairman of their respective Nagar Palika Parishad/Nagar Panchayats. Similarly at Jila Parishad level Jila Panchayats Chairman & Apar Mukhya Adhikari (AMA) work as a public representative. Pramukh of Kshetra Samiti/Panchayat & B.D.O in Vikas Khand level, Gram Pradhan & Panchayat secretary in his Gram Panchayats comes under Local self-government. Other members of different local bodies also represent their respective area at ward and village level.
Physical Features:
Location and Size:
The district is situated in the north-eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. The present district of Gorakhpur lies between latitudes 26 degree 13” and 27 degree 29” North and longitudes 83 degree 05’ and 83 degree 56’ East. The district comprises of a large stretch of country lying to the north of the river Ghaghra, the deep stream of which forms its southern boundary with district Azamgarh. With the formation of the tahsil Mahrajganj as a separate district it makes north-eastern boundary of district. On the west the boundary marches along district Sant Kabir Nagar and on the east adjoins district Deoria and Kushi Nagar.
Area of the district is apt to change from year to year due to fluvial action of Ghaghra and Rapti rivers. After the recarvation of district Mahrajganj from Gorakhpur the later area is 3321 sq km. as per 2001 records.
Physiography:
The district of Gorakhpur occupies a part of Middle Ganga-Plain-East and comprises a huge stretch of country lying to north of the river Ghaghara. Being the part of Eastern Uttar Pradesh the district presents different characteristics from those of western district due to relative proximity of the Himalaya. The district is plain, form a level tract which slopes gently from west to south-east. In the north of the district a stretch of forest land which extends downwords in patches as for as centre of the district.
Average depth of water is about 4.5 meters. The average hight above sea-level ranges from 95 metres in
the north west to 93 metres in the south-east. On the basic of physical characteristics of the district is
divided in to the following four sub-micro regions:-
1- Gorakhpur Plain
2- Rapti Khadar
3- Bansgaon Uparhar Plain
4- Ghaghara Khadar
Gorakphur Plain:
It is a higher surface area situated in the eastern part of the district. There are few mounds along the district boundary, which is watershed zone also. The general slope of the region is towards south, Tura and Rohini are the only streams which drain towards south.There is a large size depression in the central part named as Chillua nala. It is very significant topographical feature in the entire district.
Rapti Khadar:
It is approximately 10 kms wide belt along the Rapti river extending from north-west to south-east. River Rapti flows through the central part of this region. Surface height decreases towards the flow direction of the Rapti river. There are sharp meanders, oxbow lakes, and dead arms of the river along its drainage course. Rapti is notorious for shifting course and flood havoc every year in the areas on both sides of the river. There are a number of streams which join the Rapti in this zone. Besides a few small rivulets drain parallel to the main river. Actually these are the off shoots of the Rapti river. A large number of water bodies are located along this river. There are the remanents of the main channel. Ramgarh is one of the biggest ‘tal’ located in this region. It is being developed as a tourist centre.
Bansgaon Uparhar Plain:
It is an upland tract between the flood plain of Rapti in north and Ghaghra in south. It is narrow and elongated belt extending from north-west to south-east direction.The surface is flat with a high crest in the centre. Although the general slope of the surface is towards south-east direction but it is slightly influenced by Rapti and Ghaghra river also. Taraina is a small rivulet which drains through the region and joins Rapti river. Except few small, size water bodies, it is completely a monotonous plain. Area is productive and left with the vagaries of the flood.
Ghaghra Khadar:
It is a narrow belt stretching parallel to the Ghaghra river which drains towards the east. The general slope is also according to the flow direction of the river but in western part, the Kuwano river drains to the south. The region is situated towards the high bank of Ghaghra which is less septical to floods. There are few water features along the river.
Drainage:
The main river system is confined to the west side of the Gorakhpur city. It is known as the Rapti system. The drainage of the entire district, except that carried off by the Great Gandak, is discharged into Ghaghra. In many places the drainage is imperfect especially in the basin of the Rapti and its affluents. Besides it is being linked by several rivers and tributaries such as Rapti, Rohini, Tura and Gaura, Ami, Kuwana. Gorakhpur has a number of large perennial lakes, formed in most cases in the abandoned Channels of rivers, which have become blocked by the accumulation of silt, or by the accumulation water in deep natural depression. These includes Ramgarh Tal, Narhai Tal, Domingarh and Karmaini Tal, Nandour Tal, Amiar Tal, Bhenri Tal and Chillua Tal. In the eastern part of the district there are many lakes such as Ramabhar Tal, Kuseshar Tal, Chakahwa Tal and Deirani Tal.
Climate:
The climate of the Northern portions of Gorakhpur district is conditioned, to some extent, by the proximity of the hills in the north and the tarai swamps.
With the Pharenda station falling in the Maharajganj district. Gorakhpur has now three rain-gauge stations with record of explanting back to about 100 years. The south west Mansoon usually arrives over the district by about the middle of June and withdraws by the end of September. July being the rainiest. There is no larger variation in the rainfall from year to year. On an average there are 55 rainy days (i.e., days with rain 2.5mm or more) in the year, the variation in different parts of the district is not much.
Natural Economic Resources:
Forestry:
Due to carvation of Mahrajganj tahsil as a separate district most of the forest which were generally in the northern portion of Gorakhpur district have now fallen in the Maharajganj district. These forests in the past extended as for as to the south of Gorakhpur and along the Rapti in the south eastern part of the district .
The Sal is the principal tree of the forest found in the district. The undergrowth in Sal areas is very dense in the strips along the banks of Nalas and streams and is of evergreen shrubs and small trees.
The chief associates of the Sal are Asna, Bahera , Haldu, Phaldu, Asidh, Tendu, Mahua, Domsal, Jamun, Bhakmal , Shisham, Semal, Tun, Dhak, Neem, Amaltash, Imli and Teak. The forest department has carried out plantation on road side and now on National Highway from Gorakhpur to lucknow for about 23kms. More than fifteen thousand hectares area is under groves. The largest grove area lies in tahsil Gorakhpur where it is about six thousand hectares. Of the other tahsils only Bansgaon has more than five thousand hectares under groves. The groves chiefly consist of Mango, Guava, Jamun, Aonla, Lemon and Mahua.
Formation of Mahrajganj tahsil as an separate independent district has deprived Gorakhpur district not only of flora wealth but also of fauna resources to a large extent. Now in the forests under the district very few Tigers, Panthers are found. However, Cheetal, Barking deer, Sambhar, Nilgai, wild pig and Jackal are found in these forests.
Minerals and Mining:
There are no important minerals in the district only sand stone from river beds are extracted and these are utilized in the building construction Brick Kiln work is carried by many industries. Kankar and Reh is offenly found. It is believed that the district preserves minerals on Gorakphur Basti route in the river valley area of Rapti. Nearby Bokta. Cooking gas has been extracted.
Soil:
On the basis of the variety of land, The district is divided into two region. Northern region includes Jungle Kaudia, Campierganj, Khorbar, Chargawan, Bhathat, Pipraich, Pali, Sahjanwa and Sardarnagar. The soil variety is doma in these blocks. The Southern region comprises light domat in the blocks of Brahmpur, Piprauli, Khajni, Belghat, Urua, Barhalganj, Gola, Bansgoan , Kauriram, and Gagaha, In the eastern part, Math soil is found.
Land and Land Use Pattern:
The economy of the district depends mainly on agriculture, as more than 75 per cent of the district area is utilized for agricultural purpose.
Agriculture and Crop Pattern:.
There are the usual Kharif and Rabi harvests in the district, the Zaid being very insignificant. The crops harvested more than once in a year (dofasli) covered a large area in the district. The main crops sown covered a large area in the district. The main crops sown in the district are rice, maize, arhar, wheat, barley, gram, pea, etc.
Main pulses include gram and arhar. Among the nonfood crops the most important is sugar-cane in tarai area.
There has been considerable increase in the production of food-grains and consequently the agriculture is developing as an industry. Due to the adoption of improved methods and technique, there has been considerable increase per hectare in the production of various crops. The old indigenous implements and tools such as hansiya, phaura and khurpi etc. have given way to the improved modern implements because the farmers have started realizing that the new ones are superior to the old ones Consequently the modern scientific agricultural instruments have become popular in the district. Among chemical fertilizers used by the cultivators of the district the more popular are nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, urea, amonium sulfate, nitrate, ammonium chloride, calcium, aluminum nitrate, dry amonium phosphate, amonium nitro phosphate, supper phospate , etc.
Co-operative societies and Co-operative marketing societies are established in the district, which help the farmer for farming, distributing seeds, fertilizer, implement, advancing loans, cattle breeding, supply of milk to big towns, later cater the marketing of agricultural produce.
Besides, there are other many such societies operating in the district. These include sale and purchase, co-operative societies, giant agriculture societies, primary milk production societies etc.
Irrigation:
The main sources of irrigation are wells, tube wells, canals, ponds , lakes and tanks. The length of canals in the district are 473 km but these are centered in Gorakhpur tahsil only.
Animal Husbandry:
The district live-stock officer is incharge of schemes for the development of live- stock and fisheries and he has to ensure implementation of plan, scheme and provision of credit facilities to animal and poultry breeders and also control and cure of animal diseases with the help of veterinary officers of the district.
Fishery:
The district is quite rich in natural fisheries resources. A good portion of the district is comprised of low lying water-logged areas which get inundated during the monsoon. The main rivers of the district are Ghaghra, Rapti, Rohini, Ami, Kuwano and Taraina . Besides, there is a very large lake and big tanks in the district which get naturally stocked during the natural floods. When the water recedes a large number of fishes of various varieties such as Rohu, Mahir, Bhakur, Karaunch, Tegar and Patra get stromded and remain in the said lakes and tanks till next floods.
In 1982-83 under the World Bank Project Fishery Development Authority was established, which is presently being run. under the aegis of central sponsored scheme.
Industry:
In the district the three sugar factories which are located at Pipraich, Sardarnagar and Dhuriapar are main industries of the district. In Sardarnagar a mini distillery and one mini fertilizers factory and in Sahjanwa a Jute mill is located. In addition , production of garments through Hand loom Industry is working in large scale. An institution is located at Gorahknath which is engaged in establishing Industrial institutions and small scale industries. In the district GIDA is being established between Sahjanwa and Gorakhpur and land has been acquired for this purpose. After establishment of GIDA Gorakhpur district will be developed as Industrial town and with the rise of employment possibilities living status of area will be better.
Tera Kota is main handicraft of the district. Centres of Tera Kota handicraft are situated at Aurangabed, Gulariha, Bhatwalia, Suraiga Bazar and Bhagelpur villages.
Trade and Commerce:
Trade, business, manufacturing, imports and exports are sign of urbanization and development of an area. Their existence in large and diversified manner suggest rapid economic development. Less and less dependence on agricultural pursuits is an indication of progress and well being of the people. With this view data was collected in case of all the 8 urban units of the district.
Transport:
Most of the villages having 1500 population are linked with Pucca roads. In addition of Pucca roads some Kuccha roads under P.W.D. are available on which motor and vans can easily run.
Electricity and power:
Availability of electricity is essential need for industrial development. Most of the villages in the district are receiving electricity.
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