Bahraich

This article is about the municipality in Uttar Pradesh, India. For its namesake district, see Bahraich district.

Bahraich بہرائچ
Town
Nickname(s): indirapuram
Bahraich بہرائچ Location in Uttar Pradesh, India
Coordinates:
Country	India
State	Uttar Pradesh
District	Bahraich बहराइच
Government
• Body	Bahraich Nagar Palika Parishad
• Mayor	Haji Rehan Khaň
• MLA	Dr. Waqar Ahmad Shah (SP)
• MP	Savitri Bai Phule (BJP)
Area
• Total	34 km2 (13 sq mi)
Elevation	126 m (413 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	186,223
• Density	5,500/km2 (14,000/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Hindi, Urdu Awadhi
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	271801
Telephone code	+91 05252
Vehicle registration	UP 40
Sex Ratio	907 ♂/♀
Website	http://behraich.nic.in/

Bahraich (Hindi : बहराइच Urdu بہرائچ is a town and a municipal board in Bahraich district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Located on the Saryu River, a tributary of river Ghaghra, Bahraich is 125 km north-east of Lucknow, the state capital. The towns of Barabanki, Gonda, Balrampur, Lakhimpur and Sitapur share local boundaries with Bahraich. A factor which makes this town important is the international border shared with the neighboring country, Nepal. According to Government of India, the district Bahraich is one of the minority concentrated district in India on the basis of the 2001 census data on population, socio-economic indicators and basic amenities indicators.

Etymology

There are many theories about how Bahraich got its name. They include:

• Bhars were ancient tribe inhabiting parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh. The name Bahraich derives from them.
• It is believed that there was an ancient Brahma Temple here (not present now), thus giving the city the name - Brahmaich, thus, Bahraich.
• It is also believed that Bahraich got its name from the Ashram of Maharishi Bhar. A town near Bahraich is named Risiya which was named Rishi Bhumi in ancient times.

File:ClockTower-Bahraich-By Faranjuned.jpg

ClockTower-Bahraich-By Faranjuned

Geography and climate

Bahraich is located at . It has an average elevation of 126 metres (413 feet). Bahraich has a warm humid subtropical climate with cool, dry winters from December to February and dry, hot summers from April to June. The rainy season is from mid-June to mid-September, when Bahraich gets an average rainfall from the south-west monsoon winds, and occasionally frontal rainfall will occur in January. In winter the maximum temperature is around 25 °C (77 °F) and the minimum is in the 3 °C (37 °F) to 7 °C (45 °F) range. Fog is quite common from late December to late January. Summers are extremely hot with temperatures rising to the 40 °C (104 °F) to 45 °C (113 °F) range, the average highs being in the high of 30s (degree Celsius).

Flora and fauna

Bahraich has a vast forest cover. Shisham, Dhak, Mahua, Babul, Neem, Peepal, Ashok, Khajur, Mango and Gular trees are grown here. Different varieties of mangoes are grown specially Dasheri in district. The main Crops are Wheat, Paddy, Sugarcane, Mustard and Vegetables such as Cauliflower, Cabbage, Tomato, Brinjals are grown here. Apart from this many medicinal and herbal plants are also grown here like Tulsi, Peppermint.

Demographics

Religions in Bahraich
Religion			Percent
Muslims			59%
Hindus			39%
Jains			1.4%
Christians			0.2%
Others†			0.4%
Distribution of religions †Includes Sikhs (0.2%), Buddhists (<0.2%).

As per provisional data of 2011 census, Bahraich district had a population of 3,478,257 out of which males were 1,838,988 and females were 1,639,269. The literacy rate was 64.20 per cent.

See also: List of cities in Uttar Pradesh

Main localities

Qazipura (South), Qazipura (North), Salarganj, Brahmnipura, Chandpura, Qasimpura, Kalpipara, Nazirpura, Basheerganj, Mewatipura, Badihaat, Dargah Shareef (Included Parli Bagh, ImamGanj, Bakshipura), Bakshipura, GulamAlipura, Choti Bazar, MansoorGanj, Hamzapura, WazeerBagh, Qanoongopura(South & North), DhapaliPurwa, MakkaPura(Raipur Raja), Rahuwa, Civil Lines, Akbarpura, Khatripura, Gudri, Chawani, sufipura, Digiha Tiraha, Ghasiyaripura, Meerakhelpura, Peepal Tiraha etc..

Economy

The main occupation of the residents of Bahraich is agriculture. In the British period, Bahraich was a famous market for grains and pulses. Even today, it is famous for agricultural products like pulses, wheat, rice, corn, sugar, and mustard. Bahraich also has a Galla Mandi(Grain Market) which is second biggest Grain Market in Uttar Pradesh. Also, there are dense forests in Nanpara and Bhinga region which account for herbs and timber. Trees like teak, Shisham and Khair are found here. As a result, "kattha" factories are situated in Mihinpurwa block of Baraich. Ideal wood for furniture and buildings work is found here. Fruit trees grown here are mango and guava. The principal crops of the region are wheat, rice, sugarcane, pulse, and mustard. Sericulture is another occupation of the people of the region.

Politics

Bahraich is divided into two Parliament Constituency Bahraich and Kaisergunj.

1. Bahraich seat of MP is govern by Miss Savitri Bai Phule (BJP)
2. Kaisergunj seat of MP is govern by Mr. Brij Bhushan Singh (BJP)
3. Bahraich City Seat of MLA belongs to Mr. Waqar Ahmad Shah (Cabinet Minister U.P. Govt, SP)
4. Mahsi Seat of MLA belongs to Mr. K.K. Ojha (MLA BSP)
5. Kaisergunj seat of MLA belongs to Mr. Mukut Bihari Verma (BJP)

Education

Bahraich is a growing district in the direction of education. After that also it has many premier institutes and colleges.

Technical, Medical and Law Colleges

• Sanjeevani Institute of Technology and Management, Kirtanpur
• Sanjivani Hospital & Para Medical College, Mihipurwa
• Sanjeevani College of Law

Postgraduate Colleges

• Mahila Mahavidyalaya (Women PG College)
• Thakur Hukum Singh Kisan Post Graduate College
• Mithilesh Nandini Reshama Arif Mahavidyalaya, Nanpara
• Seemant Degree College, Rupaidiha
• Lord Buddha Degree College, Rupaidiha
• Ameer Hasan Farooqui Masoodiya mubaraka degree college, Nanpara
• Maharaja Balbhadra Singh Raikuwar Mahavidyalaya,Khutehna

Inter Colleges

• Saraswati Vidya Mandir Higher Secondary School
• Scholars Bower Educational Academy
• Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV)
• Tara Mahila Inter College (Women Inter College)
• Maharaj Singh Inter College
• Vaidya Bhagwan Deen Mishra Gandhi Inter College
• Sant Pathik Inter College (Pashupati Nagar)
• Seventh-Day Adventist Inter College (SDA)
• St. Norbert's School
• Azad Inter College
• City Montessori School(C.M.S.)
• Sainik Inter College
• Buddha Public School (BPS)
• Government Inter College
• Government Girls Inter College
• Kamla Devi Inter College
• Barrows Blue Bells School
• Ravindra Nath Tagore Inter College
• Bal Shiksha Niketan Girls Inter College
• Sir Syed Girls Inter College
• Masood Gazi Girls Inter College Dargah Bahraich
• Gandhi Inter College

Islamic Education Colleges

• Jamia Arabia Masoodia Noorul Uloom (Islamic Education)
• Jamia Imadadia Baitul Uloom (Islamic Education)
• Jamia Madinatul Uloom (Islamic Education)
• Madarsa Hidayatul Uloom (Islamic Education)
• Choti Takia Madarsa (Islamic Education)
• Jamia Badi Takia (Islamic Education)
• Jamia Falahul Muslimeen Qanoongupura (Islamic Education)
• Maktab Masoodia Junior High School, Qazipura (Estd.1895 AD.)
• Jamia Islamia Arbia Madintul Uloom Bandriya Bagh (Islamic Education)

Culture

Language

Among many languages spoken in the district are Awadhi, a vernacular in the Hindi continuum spoken by over 38 million people, mainly in the Awadh region. A wide range of Awadhi is spoken in Bahraich. Urdu is also a majority spoken language in the city.

Cuisine

As Bahraich is situated in The Awadh region has its own distinct Nawabi style cuisine, the most famous cuisine of Awadhi Region consist of various kinds of biryanis, kebabs and breads. Kababchi Gali of district is famous in nearby regions for its Kebabs.

Sports

In the past pehlwani, kabbadi, chess, kite flying, pigeon flying, and cockfighting were popular pastimes. Today cricket, football, badminton and hockey are among the most popular sports in the city. The city has it own sports stadium called Indira Gandhi Sports Stadium; it host many sports tournaments every year. The city also has many sports clubs.

Transportation

Roads

Bahraich is well connected with other districts of Uttar Pradesh. UPSRTC provides road connectivity to Lucknow, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Bareilly, Haridwar, Delhi, Balrampur, Gonda, Barabanki, pratapgarh, Shimla, Mathura, Banda, Jaunpur, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Shrawasti and Agra. There are buses for Lucknow in every 15 minutes.

Railways

Bahraich is also on Indian Railways route map and provided a meter gauge line, running from Gonda to Bareilly and serve by several slow speed train and an express connecting Kasganj to Gonda. Jarwal Road is a small station 55 km from district headquarters and lies on Delhi–Barauni line. However, there have been talks of the State Government with Ministry of Railways for the development broad gauge line and connect Bahraich with Lucknow and other major cities of Uttar Pradesh but the work is very slow and it is in its initial phase.

City Transportation

Private Auto Rickshaws and Cycle Rickshaw are also part of transportation; those are easily available at all major landmarks of the city.

Media

Press

The prominent English dailies of the city are The Times of India, The Hindustan Times, The Pioneer. Several daily newspapers in Hindi and Urdu are published in the city. Amongst the Hindi papers are Dainik Jagran, Amar Ujala, Dainik Hindustan, Rashtriya Sahara, Jansatta. The main Urdu papers are The Inquilab and Rozanama Rashtriya Sahara etc. Some of Them also have their Local Offices in City. All major Indian news channels and newspapers have correspondents in Bahraich.

Radio

Bahraich has an All India Radio Relay station known as Akashvani Bahraich. It broadcasts on FM frequencies @ 100.1MHz.

Internet

The city has broadband internet connectivity and video conferencing facilities. Major companies like Sify, BSNL, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications, Tata Vodafone Communications, Aircel have a wide infrastructure to provide broadband Internet.

Shopping and trade centres

• There are a number of banks in the city with multiple branches like State Bank of India, BOB, Punjab National Bank, Allahabad Bank, Axis Bank, IDBI Bank, HDFC, Allahabad UP Gramin Bank, ICICI Bank, Oriental Bank Of Commerce etc.
• There are a no. of cinema hall in the city including Chitrashala, Kumar Picture Palace.
• A major part of Bahraich is markets/bazaars. Major Shopping Markets are Ghantaghar Market Steelganj Talab, Chawni, Choti Bazar, Raja Heera Singh Market
• Hotel Sangam Lodge
• City also holds some shopping complexes, are Sumaiya Mall, V-Mart, R.K. Tower, ITC Chauppal Sagar etc.
• Brands like Liberty, Bata, Peter England, Red Chief has its outlets in City.
• Hotel Harsh Regency, KKY of Taj, Hotel Sheron Continental, Muslim Musafir Khana, Ban-Sarita Resort etc, Buddha Resort. are some hotels and resorts of Bahraich
• Lokwani CSC (Under National e-governance Plan - SSDG) Khare Computers is also situated in Kanoongopura North
• The city also has showrooms of Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj, Suzuki, Honda, Maruti, TVS, TATA, Ford.
• This City has a very good Photo State Service Provider - Gupta Photo State, situated near Court Road Bahraich.
• Jaiswal Tyres (mrf exclusive) near chawni chowk eye hospital road.

Tourist spots

• Dargah of Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masood
• Sravasti-45 km from city center
• Ghantaghar (Clock Tower Of Bahraich)
• Dargah Of AmeerMah
• Gurudwara
• Risiya Park
• Katarniya Ghat & Lakkad Shah
• Markaz Alam Shaheed Masjid
• Dargah Of Ameer Mah
• Jama Masjid
• Markazi Idgah SalarGanj
• Siddhnath Temple
• Ek Minara Masjid Badihat Bahraich
• Mari Mata Mandir(Golwa Ghat) Lucknow Road Bahraich

Dargah of Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masood

Bahraich is very famous because of the Mausoleum (Dargah) of Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masud, a famous eleventh century Muslim conqueror who was defeated and killed at Bahraich by a confederacy of Hindu kings, led by Maharaja Suheldev. Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masud's Dargah is a place of reverence for Muslims. It was built by Firoz Shah Tughlaq. It is believed that people taking bath in the water of the Dargah become free of all skin diseases. Every year a cultural fest is also organised here known as Dargah Mela.

Sravasti

Roughly 50 km from Bahraich, there are remains of an ancient Buddhist monastery. This place is known as Sravasti and it is one of the most popular destinations around Bahraich. It is a holy place for Buddhists and Jains, where Lord Buddha spent twenty four years of his life preaching Buddhism. Shravasti is visited by tourists from Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka & China.

Katarniya Ghat Wildlife Reserve

Katarniaghat

Bahraich hosts the biggest wildlife reserve of the state of Uttar Pradesh - Katarniya ghat wildlife reserve. It is located at the distance of about 86 km by road & 105 km by rail from Bahraich city, the district headquarters of the Bahraich District, U.P., India, about 7 km from Nepal Border, Lucknow 205 km, nearest market Bichhia Bazaar is 6 km.

Animals found here- Tiger, Leopard, Swamp Deer, Chital, Kankar, Flying Squirrel, Blue Bull (Bison), Sambhar, Black Buck, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Jackal, Bear, Deer, Rhinoceros, Elephant, Four Horned Antelope, Indian Gazelle, Peafowl. New release of tiger population (in 2011) revealed that the number of tigers in the sanctuary and surrounding areas (Indo-Nepal) is rising.

External links

• Location & Road Map of Bahraich
• Bahraich in Encyclopedia.com
• Bahraich - Places of Interest
• Muslims in Bahraich, UP's Most Marginalised District
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