About City

The district of Barabanki, often referred to as the "Entrance to Poorvanchal", boasts a rich historical legacy as the land of penance for numerous saints and ascetics. Several ancient legends are associated with its name, the most prominent being that the district derives its name from the reincarnation of Bhagwan Baarah on this sacred land, originally called Baanhanya—which, over time, evolved into Barabanki.

The district's administrative journey began with its headquarters in Dariyabad until 1858 AD. In 1859, the British shifted the district headquarters to Nawabganj, now known as Barabanki, as part of administrative reorganization. Historically, this district was part of the kingdom of Suryavanshi kings, whose capital was Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram. The young princes of this dynasty, including Lord Ram, were tutored by their royal guru, Guru Vashisht, at Satrikh, formerly known as Saptrishi.

Barabanki has also been under the rule of Chandravanshi kings for an extended period. During the Mahabharata era, it was a part of Gaurav Rajya and known as Kurukshetra. According to folklore, the Pandavas and their mother, Kunti, spent time along the Ghaghra River during their exile. Several ancient sites in the district, such as the Parijaat tree (a one-of-a-kind botanical marvel), Kunteshwar Mahadev Temple with its ancient Shivling at Kintur, Bazaar Dharam Mandi (Dhamedi), and the revered Lodheshwar Mahadev’s Shivling, stand as timeless reminders of the region’s significance during the Mahabharata period.

In the historical records, Sayyed Salar Masood, the brother of Mahmud of Ghazni, invaded this region in 1030 AD. Later, Qutubuddin Gaha of Madina consolidated Muslim dominance by annexing the local Hindu princely states. During the reign of Emperor Akbar, Barabanki was split between the sirkars of Awadh and Manikpur.

The people of Barabanki have a long history of resistance against foreign domination. The district witnessed fierce opposition to British colonial expansion. Many local kings and revolutionaries laid down their lives in the fight for independence. Raja Balbhadra Singh of Chehlari and around 1,000 revolutionaries are remembered for their ultimate sacrifice during this struggle. Notably, the last battle of the First War of Indian Independence in 1858 was fought here. Revolutionaries established a stronghold at Bhitauli, but they were ultimately overwhelmed by British forces. Some, including Begum Hazrat Mahal and Nana Saheb, retreated into Nepal to continue the freedom struggle from exile.

The spirit of resistance continued into the 20th century. In 1921, during the Non-Cooperation Movement initiated by Mahatma Gandhi, Barabanki stood at the forefront of protests. When the Prince of Wales visited India, locals organized demonstrations, leading to the arrest of many freedom fighters at Government High School, Nawabganj—including Shri Rafi Ahmad Kidwai. The district also played a pivotal role in the Khilafat Movement (1922), the Salt March (1930), and the Quit India Movement (1942), giving sleepless nights to the British authorities. Revolutionaries remained active despite constant suppression, with acts of defiance such as the loot of Haidergarh Post Office on August 24, 1942 and similar uprisings at the GPO in Barabanki and Satrikh.

In response to Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha, many people from Barabanki voluntarily courted arrest, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to the cause of independence. The people’s persistence bore fruit, and on August 15, 1947, the district joined the rest of the nation in celebrating the hard-earned freedom with unparalleled joy and fervor.

The district was originally known as Dariyabad, named after Dariab Khan, a military officer under Mohammad Shah Shariqi, who founded the town. Dariyabad remained the district headquarters until 1858 AD. In 1859 AD, the British shifted the headquarters to Nawabganj (now Barabanki) as part of a district expansion. The reorganization brought Kursi from Lucknow district and Haidergarh from Rae Bareli district under the jurisdiction of Barabanki, further strengthening its administrative significance. Today, Barabanki stands as a beacon of history, culture, and resilience—its legacy deeply interwoven with the larger narrative of India’s struggle for freedom and the pursuit of unity.