About Bahraich
Bahraich is situated in North eastern part of Devipatan Division. It is situated between the 28°24' & 27°4' latitude & 81°65' to 81°3' eastern longitude. According to census of 1991 the area of dist. is 4696.8 sq km. which is 31.99% of the Devipatan Division.
District Bahraich has an international border with Nepal on the Northern part.
Distt. Barabanki & Sitapur are in South , Khiri in West and Gonda & Srawasti are in eastern side of the district Bahraich. Northern part of the district is Tarai region which is covered by the dense natural forest. Chakia , Sujauli , Nishangara , Mihinpurwa
, Bichia & Baghauli are the main forest areas of the district. Sarju & Ghaghra are the major rivers of the district.
History of Bahraich
The dense forests and fast flowing rivers are the specialities of district Bahraich. There are many mythological facts about the great historical value of district Bahraich. It was famous as the Capital of God Brahma, the maker of Universe. It was also known
as part of Gandharva Forest. Even today North east area of several hundred square Kms of the district is covered by the forest. It is said that Brahma ji deveoloped this forest covered area as the place of worship for Rishis & Sadhus. Therefore this place
come to be known as " Brahmaich"
According to some other historians, this place was the capital of "Bhar" dynasty. Therefore it was called as "Bharraich". Which later come to be known as "Bahraich".Famous Chinese visitors Hwaintsang & Feighyaan visted this place. The famous Arab visitor
Ibne-ba-tuta visted Bahraich and wrote that Bahraich is a beautiful city situated at the bank of holy river Saryu.
According to Puraans King Luv, the son of God Ram & King Prasenjit ruled Bahraich. Also during the period of exile Pandavas & along with mother Kunti visited this place.The guru of Maharaja Janak , Rishi Ashtwakra used to live here. Rishi Valmiki & Rishi
Balark also used to live here .
Role of Bahraich during First Freedom Struggle of 1857
On February 7, 1856 Resident General Outrem declared the rule of Company on Awadh. Bahraich was made the centre of a divison & Mr. Wingfield was appointed as its commissioner.
Due to kingdom grabbing policy of Lord Dalhousie the whole nation was against the Britishers rule. Agents of leader of freedom struggle, Nana Saheb & Bahadur Shah Jafar were campaigning against British rule. During the campaign Peshwa Nana Saheb visited
Bahraich to have a confidential meeting with local rulers. The meeting was held at a place presently known as "Gullabeer" on the exhortation of Nana Saheb king of Bhinga , Baundi , Chahlari , Rehua , Charda etc gathered at this place & promised Nana Saheb
for freedom struggle till death.
King Vir Balbhadra Singh of Chahlari also actively participated in freedom struggle. In Bahraich also mutiny started as soon as it started in Awadh.
During that time Commissioner was posted is Karnailganj , Mr. C. W. Canlif , Dy Commissioner , Lt. Lag Bailey & Mr. Jorden were there in Bahraich along with two companies. The struggle of Bahraich was on a very large scale. All the Raikwar kings were against
Britishers rule with all public support. When the struggle started all the three British officer moved towards Himalayas via Nanpara. But the soldiers of revolting kings blocked the way.
So they returned to Bahraich in order to go to Lucknow. But when they reached near Behram Ghat ( Ganeshpur ), all the boats were under the control of revolting soldiers, who ensued serious struggle and all the three officers were killed, and whole district
came under the control of freedom fighters.
The Power of freedom fighters started decaying , after the loss of Lucknow. On 27 Nov. 1857, king of Chahlari Balbhadra Singh lost his life during the war with Britishers near Chinhat. Even Britishers praised his bravery. King of Bhitauni also faught & lost
his life.
On 26 Dec. 1858 British Army captured Nanpara. The whole Nanpara was ruinned to rubbles. The soldiers of freedom fighters started to gather on the fort of Bargadia. A great struggle took place there. Approx. 4000 soldiers fled and took shelter in the better
fort of Masjidia, but Britisher again destroyed the Fort and war took place at Dharmanpur. Lord Clive moved towards the other soldiers who were residing on the banks of river Rapti. He thrashed them away to Nepal.
On 27 Dec. 1858, British army moved towards Charda and after the war of 2 days British army captured it. On 29 Dec. 1858, British army returned to Nanpara.Thus Britishers won the first freedom struggle on the basis of their superior armed forces.
Geography of Bahraich
Bahraich borders Nepal districts Bardiya to the northwest and Banke to the northeast. The rest of Bahraich is surrounded by other districts in Uttar Pradesh: Lakhimpur and Sitapur on the west, Hardoi to the southwest, Gonda to the southeast, and Shravasti
to the east.