Ghaziabad History

Located in the Indian State of Uttar Pradesh, Ghaziabad is an industrial city that is well-connected by roads and railways. The city itself houses the headquarters of Ghiazabad district and was originally a part of the Meerut district after the country’s independence until it was finally separated and given its own district status due to some political intervention. Today, it is becoming more and more prosperous and progressive, as evidenced by the number of malls and multiplexes that have sprung up around the city, as well as the widening of roads and infrastructure. However, Ghiazabad has long been a prosperous city whose history dates back to as far as 2500 BC.

Much of modern Ghaziabad’s rich history has been uncovered by the extensive excavations and research done in the city’s district. An example of its richness is the village of “KOT”, which is most commonly associated with the emperor Samundra Gupta, famous for performing the Aswamedha Yagya, one of the most important royal rituals of the Vedic religion, after destroying the fort and the princes of the Kot Dynasty. Another piece of history is during 1313, when the place became a massive battleground when the Tammir attacked a fort that was standing in the middle of the city. The massacre that resulted from the attack has long since become famous in Ghaziabadi history. The fort was also where the Mughal King used to go for hunting and pleasure trips. A Baage Ranap serves as a memorial for that period.

The city itself that stands today wasn’t always known as Ghaziabad. In 1740, the vizier Ghazi-ud-din, who served as the minister of the Moghul Emperor Ahmadshah and Alamgir Ilnd, established the place and called it Ghaziuddinnagar after himself. He then proceeded to build a spacious structure and that consisted of 120 rooms of masonry with arches that point up. According to records, this city that the vizier established was constructed within the boundary of four giant doors named Dasna Gate, Sihani Gate, Delhi Gate, and Shahi gate. Today, only the gate of the structure, together with a few portions of the boundary wall and a massive pillar about 14 feet tall remains. As time passed, Shahi Gate was renamed Bazar Gate and, after India gained her independence, it was again renamed Jawahar Gate. The other three gates still retain their names until today. Vizier Gazi-ud-din’s mausoleum still stands in the city today, but is in a state of disrepair.

In 1857 to 1858, the city was the scene of fighting during the Indian Mutiny, when Indian soldiers in the Bengal Army that was under the British East India Company mutinied but soon turned into a widespread uprising against British rule in India. The Hindon River, in particular, was the site of several skirmishes between Indian troops and British soldiers in 1857 and today, the graves of the British soldiers and officers can still be seen. Ghaziabad’s place in Northern Indian history is assured by the birth of many freedom fighters who played a role in various revolutions all dedicated to the attainment of freedom for all who have lived – and are still living – there.