District: Kanpur Nagar, State: Uttar Pradesh, India Area: 1040 Sq. Km. Languages Spoken: Hindi and English Long Distance Code: +91-512 Importance: Best Time to Visit: October to March
Description
Founded by the King of Sachendi called Hindu Singh, Kanpur remained in oblivion as a small village of minimal importance till the 18th century. It was only after defeating the Nawab Wazir of Awadh Shuja-ud-daula, at Jajmau near Kanpur that the British recognized its importance and developed the city making it a big trading hub. Soon the small sleepy village became a central trading point and also a military station of the British and by the end of the 18th century Kanpur had become a promising city of modern times. <br />But as the prominence of the city as a commercial and military centre grew so did the unrest among the people of Kanpur. Kanpur became the epicenter of the 1857 mutiny against the British rule. Daredevils like Nanasaheb and Tatya Tope came forward to oppose the British and went ahead declaring freedom. <br />But the mutiny was badly curbed by the British when massive number of Indians were killed or hanged. The hatred grew so much against the British due to their atrocities that the in July 1857 after a bitter fight against the British, the women and the children were trapped inside Bibighar and later were massacred and burnt to death. <br />After the mutiny was crushed Kanpur's development knew no bounds. Huge factories were set up and large trade mills were established. And even today Kanpur remains one of the important leather manufacturers of India.
Location
Located hardly 80 kms form the capital of the state, Lucknow, Kanpur is the biggest city in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is nestled on the banks the River Ganges and is considered to be the commercial capital of the state.
Designed by Walter Granville, architect of the east Bengal Railway, this Church in Lombardi Gothic style was built in 1875 in the memory of those British who died during the mutiny of 1857. The imposing structure built in red brick stone contains monuments to the mutiny, including several memorial tablets. The Garden in the back has cemeteries of some British from the 19th century.
A beautiful blend of modernity with the ancient architecture is the uniqueness of the Radha Krishna temple. This temple complex has five shrines devoted to Radha Krishna, Lakshmi Narayan, Narmadeshwar, Ardhanarinateshwar and also Hanuman. The unique roofing of the temple provides ample light and ventilation inside the main sanctum.
Beautifully decorated with glass and enamel work, this Jain temple is dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras. It is situated near the Kamala Tower in the city.
The Siddhapuri city of ancient times is today's Jajmau. Siddhapuri was supposed to be the capital of a mythological king in the Mahabharata named Yayati. Excavations undertaken on the mound of Jajmau brought to light the civilization that was some three thousand years old. \r\nToday the Siddhnath and Siddha Devi temples and the mausoleum of famous Sufi saint Makhdum Shah Ala-ul-Haq are the attraction of Jajmau.
27 kms from the Kanpur is the small beautiful town of Bithoor, the name is supposed to be the corruption of Brahmavarta. This tranquil and sleepy town is situated on the banks of River Ganga and has religious importance attached to it. According to Hindu scriptures Lord Brahma came here for the creation of the mankind and later installed a Shiva lingam. The present day temple of Brahmeshwar Mahadeva is supposed to have the same Lingam till date. The principal Ghat is the Brahmavarta Ghat. Legend says that a nail of the horse shoe embedded in the steps of the Ghat, considered to be of the horse which Brahma rode, and is an object of reverence for the devotees to this place. \r\nThe Dhruva Teela, the Valmiki Ashram and the Sita ki rasoi are few sites in this small town today which stand proof to its past legacy.\r\nThe place regained its prominence only in the 18th -19th century during the time of the Nawabs of Awadh. But hardly anything of this recent history remains in the town now.
Kannauj carries the legacy of an ancient empire, the 7th century capital of Emperor Harshavardhan. Situated on the banks of Ganga, 80 km from the city of Kanpur, Kannauj today is famous for its ittars, perfumed natural extract, than anything else.
Designed by Walter Granville, architect of the east Bengal Railway, this Church in Lombardi Gothic style was built in 1875 in the memory of those British who died during the mutiny of 1857. The imposing structure built in red brick stone contains monuments to the mutiny, including several memorial tablets. The Garden in the back has cemeteries of some British from the 19th century.
A beautiful blend of modernity with the ancient architecture is the uniqueness of the Radha Krishna temple. This temple complex has five shrines devoted to Radha Krishna, Lakshmi Narayan, Narmadeshwar, Ardhanarinateshwar and also Hanuman. The unique roofing of the temple provides ample light and ventilation inside the main sanctum.
Beautifully decorated with glass and enamel work, this Jain temple is dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras. It is situated near the Kamala Tower in the city.
The Siddhapuri city of ancient times is today's Jajmau. Siddhapuri was supposed to be the capital of a mythological king in the Mahabharata named Yayati. Excavations undertaken on the mound of Jajmau brought to light the civilization that was some three thousand years old. \r\nToday the Siddhnath and Siddha Devi temples and the mausoleum of famous Sufi saint Makhdum Shah Ala-ul-Haq are the attraction of Jajmau.
27 kms from the Kanpur is the small beautiful town of Bithoor, the name is supposed to be the corruption of Brahmavarta. This tranquil and sleepy town is situated on the banks of River Ganga and has religious importance attached to it. According to Hindu scriptures Lord Brahma came here for the creation of the mankind and later installed a Shiva lingam. The present day temple of Brahmeshwar Mahadeva is supposed to have the same Lingam till date. The principal Ghat is the Brahmavarta Ghat. Legend says that a nail of the horse shoe embedded in the steps of the Ghat, considered to be of the horse which Brahma rode, and is an object of reverence for the devotees to this place. \r\nThe Dhruva Teela, the Valmiki Ashram and the Sita ki rasoi are few sites in this small town today which stand proof to its past legacy.\r\nThe place regained its prominence only in the 18th -19th century during the time of the Nawabs of Awadh. But hardly anything of this recent history remains in the town now.
Kannauj carries the legacy of an ancient empire, the 7th century capital of Emperor Harshavardhan. Situated on the banks of Ganga, 80 km from the city of Kanpur, Kannauj today is famous for its ittars, perfumed natural extract, than anything else.
