Pratapgarh is a major district of Uttar Pradesh. Pratapgarh is about 170 km from Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh. Sai River and Bakulahi River flow in Pratapgarh. Sai River flows through Pratapgarh city. Ganga River also flows in Pratapgarh district. Ganga River separates Pratapgarh from Prayagraj (Allahabad) city. The distance of Pratapgarh from Prayagraj city is 60 km.

This district, located in the middle plains of the eternal river Ganga, was economically prosperous due to suitable climate and fertile soil. Probably this is the reason that an uninterrupted sequence of cultural development is found here from ancient times to modern times.

Mythological beliefs relate Pratapgarh to various stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata, but from the archaeological point of view, the history of this district seems to be connected to the infancy of human life when he was living as an uncivilized nomad and with the help of hunting. Archaeological investigations show that Upper Palaeolithic culture is the oldest culture of the district. Evidence of this culture is found in the form of stone tools from Saleman Parvatpur, Mandah and Salhipur. Archaeologists have considered this culture to be around 1700 BC.

After the above mentioned culture, the example of Mesolithic culture is found. The maximum number of archaeological sites of the district, about 200 in number, are related to this culture, out of which three Sarai Nahar Rai, Mahadaha and Damdama have also been excavated from where a large number of human skeletons, stone tools etc. have been reported.

Chronologically, Neolithic culture came into existence after the Mesolithic period, but no initial site of this culture has come to light in this district till now, but about 30 archaeological sites related to the subsequent culture of Copper-lithic have come to light from Patti tehsil, among which Bhaanti, Bhevni, Gangehti, Kanjakhas, Pure Devjani, Sarai Jamuwari etc. are prominent. The pottery tradition of this culture has also been found from the archaeological site called Chauharjan in Raniganj tehsil.

Throwing light on the traditional mythological history, it is known that from the very beginning, the Pratapgarh region was under the Suryavansh of Ayodhya which was founded by Vaivasvat Manu. In this dynasty, there were glorious rulers like Ikshwaku Prithu, Shravast, Mandhata, Harishchandra, Sagar, Ambrish, Dilip, Raghu Rasrath, Ram. Probably, this region assumed the name Kosal during the reign of Dilip. During the time of Dasharathi Ram, Kosal reached the peak of its dignity and glory, but after Ram, when Kosal was divided, Ayodhya was ruined and could not regain the glory of its past.

On the basis of mythological traditions, places like Handour, Pandavasi, Ajgara, Mahadaha, Bardih, Unchadih etc. are considered to be related to the Pandavas. Among these, the oldest inscription of the country mentioning the names of the Pandavas has also been found from Raniganj Ajgara.

At the time of the second urban revolution in the sixth century BC, Kosala was one of the 16 Mahajanapadas. The capital of northern Kosala was Shravasti and the capital of southern Kosala was Kushavati. Saket is also often mentioned as a capital, which is identified with Ayodhya. Colonel Vost has identified Saket with a place called Tusharan Vihar in Pratapgarh, which was under Kosala.

This area must have been under the rule of Maurya ruler Chandragupta and his grandson Devpriya Priyadarshi Ashoka the Great. This is confirmed by the evidence of Buddhist Vihars and Stupas found at some places of the district such as Bihar of Kunda tehsil and Bilkhar of Patti tehsil. According to Fuhrer, Ashoka had built a two hundred feet high stupa on the banks of the Ganga in the south-east direction of Bihar.

According to the inscription obtained from Ayodhya of the Shunga period, Kosala was under the Shungas along with Pratapgarh. During the reign of Pushyamitra Shunga, the Yavanas of Bactria attacked. Pratapgarh region became the victim of this Indo-Yavana invasion. Its proof is the Indo-Yavana coins found from the site Rocky in Lalganj tehsil.

Shakas also had dominion over Pratapgarh region. Many Hindu Shak coins and statues have been found from here. Kanindam has equated the Buddhist Vihara situated in Bihar with Tusharan Vihar. Which was built by Tushaar kings.

Kanishka was a great and powerful ruler of Kushan dynasty who ruled over entire eastern India. Pratapgarh region was also included in this. This is confirmed by the numerous Kushan period archaeological sites found here.

Koshal including Pratapgarh was included in the initial Gupta rule. According to the Puranas, the area up to Saket, Magadh, Prayag was included under Chandragupta I. Rulers like Samudragupta, Chandragupta Vikramaditya also ruled this region. After the fall of Guptas, in the beginning of sixth century AD, this region came under the control of Maukharis of Kannauj. These Maukhari rulers were defeated by Harsha. During the time of Harsha, Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang passed through 'Haymukh' which is equated with Raebareli and Pratapgarh. After Harsha, King Yashovarman of Kannauj and thereafter Ayudhavanshi rulers ruled this region.

In the ninth century, Garjar Pratiharas were the most powerful rulers of entire Uttar Pradesh India and Pratapgarh region remained under them. After this, the Gahadwal dynasty established its authority over the entire area of present-day eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The inner part of Pratapgarh region was under the control of Bhars for a long time. Its headquarters was in ancient Handaur. Later, the Raikwar Rajputs snatched most of their area from them. According to traditions, in 1258 AD, Lakhnasen, who was a descendant of the Somvanshi Rajput family of Prayag, first drove out the five Siddhas and then Bharos and Raikwars from Handaur and brought them under his control. Gradually, he brought the entire Aror or Araul region (ancient name of Pratapgarh Pargana) under his control.

In 1192 AD, Muhammad Ghori defeated the ruler of Manikpur, Manikchandra and his elder brother Jaichandra of the Gahadwal dynasty and created a new province named Kada Manikpur and made Kada its capital. The entire Pratapgarh region was also included in this new province. Qutubuddin was made the governor here.

In 1290 AD, this province was under the control of Jalaluddin Firoz Shah and Alauddin Khilji. After that, the Tughlaqs, followed by the Sharqi rulers of Jaunpur and the Lodi rulers of Delhi continued to dominate the Pratapgarh region.

When the Mughals gained control over India, Akbar abolished the Manikpur province and made the governor of Allahabad the administrator of this region. The Pratapgarh pargana where the Somvanshis lived was known as Aror ka Mahal at that time.

In 1628 AD, a Somvanshi Rajput king Pratap Singh established his headquarters in Rampur and built a huge fort and named this place Pratapgarh. After this Jai Singh, Chhatradhari Singh, Prithipath Singh, Dunyapath Singh Hindupath Singh ruled this area. After Hindupath, Nawab Asafuddin Douja of Awadh captured Pratapgarh and made it a cantonment and ruled with the help of local Rajput chieftains.

In February 1856, when the British annexed Awadh to British India, Pratapgarh came under the control of the East India Company and a new district named Pratapgarh was established whose headquarters was made Bela.

At the beginning of the revolt in 1857, King Hanumant Singh of Kalakankar strongly opposed the British takeover of Awadh. Hanumant Singh's son Pratap Singh, along with his uncle Madho Singh, was martyred in the battle of Chanda while fighting with the common people in the First War of Independence. Most of the talukdars here declared themselves independent from the British rule. Prominent among them were Gulab Singh of Tarul, Ram Gulab Singh of Athaha, Balbhadra Singh of Sujakhar, Ram Gulab Singh of Mustafabad etc. But in November 1858, the British government again captured Pratapgarh.

When the Awadh Rowlatt Act of 1886 gave unlimited power to the talukdars, farmers started getting exploited a lot. As a result of this exploitation, the Kisan Andolan led by Baba Ramchandra in 1920 created awareness among farmers towards unity and struggle.

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru went to Rure village of Patti in June 1920 and took the leadership of the Kisan Andolan in his hands. In 1920 itself, Mahatma Gandhi gave the mantra of non-cooperation in a public meeting in the city and formed a group of volunteers for the Salt Movement, in which Shyam Sundar Shukla, Mata Badal, Majharul Hussain were prominent.

The Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930 was openly supported by the kings of Kalakankar, Bhadri etc. along with the common people. On 9 December 1931, Nehru again visited Pratapgarh and asked the farmers not to pay land tax.

On 16 February 1931, patriots like Kalika Prasad, Ramdas and Mathura Prasad sacrificed their lives for Mother India while fighting for independence in Kahla village located in Gaura development block of Patti tehsil.

In the provincial assembly elections held in 1973, two seats of this district were won by Govind Malviya and Harishchandra Bajpai of Congress.

This district participated enthusiastically in the Quit India Movement of 1942 under the leadership of Ambika Singh and Rajmangal Singh.

In the provincial assembly elections of 1946, both the seats of Pratapgarh were again won by Congress. By now the British had realized that they could not rule over India for long. As a result, India became independent on 15 August 1947 and Pratapgarh district came into existence as a district of independent India.

In this way, the glorious history of Belha's past has been inspiring the people of Belha from time immemorial till today and will continue to do so.

The holy rivers Sai, Ganga and Gomti flow through Pratapgarh district of UP

Not one but many holy rivers Ganga, Gomti and Sai flow through Pratapgarh district of UP. Along with these big rivers, half a dozen small rivers also meet here. It is a different matter that these two small rivers have lost their existence and the remaining rivers are also in danger. Among the big rivers, Sai is losing its shape due to pollution.

Prime Minister Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru had given a boost to his political career by doing padayatra from here.

Pratapgarh, which is a famous district in Uttar Pradesh for its immense production of Amla, is known as the 70th district. The country's first Prime Minister Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru had given a boost to his political career by doing padayatra from the assembly constituency of Patti here. This land is also known as the birthplace of national poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan. The most popular temple in Pratapgarh is Belha Devi which is built on the banks of river Sai. Therefore, this district is also called Belha. Also, it is considered very important from the historical point of view.

The names of the three main royal families are famous in the politics of Pratapgarh

The names of the assembly constituencies of Pratapgarh are Raniganj, Kunda, Vishwanathganj, Patti, Veerapur, Garhwaara, Sadar, Babaganj, Bihar, Pratapgarh and Rampur Khas. The names of the three main royal families have always been famous in the politics of Pratapgarh. The first name among these is of Bisen Rajput Rai Bajrang Bahadur Singh. Rai Bajrang Bahadur Singh was the governor of Himachal Pradesh and was also a freedom fighter. Whose descendant is Raghuraj Pratap Singh Raja Bhaiya. The second family is of Somvanshi Rajput Raja Pratap Bahadur Singh and the third family is of Raja Dinesh Singh. Their kingdom is Kalakankar area. Who has previously held posts like Commerce Minister and Foreign Minister of India. Dinesh Singh's daughter Rajkumari Ratna Singh has also made her career in politics and has won the MP election from Pratapgarh Lok Sabha constituency thrice in 1996, 1999 and 2009.

Resident of Pratapgarh -

Every resident of Pratapgarh is a very respected and special personality in himself. There are many people in the whole world but the thing that is in the people of Pratapgarh is not found anywhere else. There are many people here who have made their city and their name high in the world. One such personality is Arpit Shukla. He is a writer by profession. His way of writing is quite different. He is a person with an independent ideology. He likes the imaginary world a lot and he mostly writes things that are imaginary. He has written many poems, stories, songs and books till now. The name of his first book is "Arpit ke Shabd". He never liked writing. He was mostly interested in studies and religious activities but it is said that whatever is written in fate will happen. Writing is not an easy process but God has given everyone an art, it just takes time to recognize it. Arpit is a person with a very religious ideology, so in his first article he wrote the Aarti of Mata Ambe ji in his own words. After this, he continued to present new creations one after the other in the field of writing. Not only in Pratapgarh but his articles are read and appreciated by many people across the country. There is a message for every person in each of his articles. After some time, he started writing in English and started presenting the English language in a very good way in his articles through his own words. What should I say about him because he is such a personality whose introduction cannot be given in a few pages. He wants every person to live his life in a right way. Arpit's personality is as good as his name. Arpit believes that "If we are capable of helping someone, then we should help because this whole world is our family and if a family member is in trouble or needs us, then we must help them"

His thoughts are very good, one of which is -

"It is not easy to be a human being and there is no greater honor than the title of a human being"

This district is divided into a total of 17 development blocks

Pratapgarh district is divided into a total of 17 development blocks. There are a total of 7 assembly constituencies under this district. 244- Rampur Khas, 247- Vishwanathganj, 248- Pratapgarh Sadar ,249- Patti, 250- Raniganj, 245- Babaganj,246- Kunda. Talking about the development blocks, they are Kunda, Kalakankar, Rampur Sangramgarh, Babaganj, Bihar, Mandhata, Laxmanpur, Sangipur, Lalganj, Sandwa Chandrika, Pratapgarh Sadar, Mangaraura, Shivgarh, Gaura, Baba Belkharnath Dham, Patti and Aspur Devsara areas respectively.

Major tourist and pilgrimage sites 😊

Talking about the major tourist and pilgrimage sites in UP Pratapgarh, there are many historical sites and famous temples here.

Katra Gulab Singh Bazaar is counted as a very famous tourist destination of Pratapgarh district. Baba Bhayharan Nath Dham, an ancient temple from the Pandava era, famous as one of the main tourist places of Pratapgarh, is situated to the east of Katra Gulab Singh Bazaar. Babu Gulab Singh, a great revolutionary of the 18th century, had established this market. In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas stayed here during their exile. It is said that on the banks of the Bakulahi river near this village, one of the five Pandavas, Bhima, killed the demon Bakasur.

The world's only Kisan Devta temple is in Pratapgarh district -

The world's only Kisan Devta temple is located in Pratapgarh district. The special thing about this temple is that people have reverence for this temple in the name of Kisan Devta with love and harmony without any division of caste, religion or sect. It is a religious institution where people of any religion and sect can come. The purpose of this temple is to give respect to the farmers. Kisan Devta temple is built in Sarai Mahesh village of Patti tehsil of Pratapgarh district. Kisan Peethadheeshwar Yogiraj Sarkar built the Kisan Devta temple. At the same time, Belkharnath temple is located in Patti of Pratapgarh district. Belkharnath temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is one of the ancient temples of this district. Every year a fair is organized here on the occasion of Maha Shivratri. Chandrika Devi fair is organized in Chandrika Devi temple located in Sandwa Chandrika village. Shrimandharswami temple is located on the Yashkirti Bhatarak border. A huge statue of Tirthankar Shrimandharswami is located in this temple. In this statue, Srimandharswami is in Padmasana posture. Keshavrajji temple is also very popular.

Belha Devi Dham Pratapgarh -

Belha Devi Dham is a famous temple of Pratapgarh. This temple is built on the banks of Sai River in Pratapgarh. This temple is built very well and is very clean. This is an ancient temple. This temple is spread over a very large area. There are many temples built here. A very beautiful view of Sai River is seen from the temple. There is also a ghat built on the banks of Sai River, where people can take bath. This is a Siddha Peeth. Here one can see Belha Devi. The idol of Belha Devi is very beautiful. The entire sanctum sanctorum of the temple is made of silver and looks very beautiful. The statue of the lion is also made of silver. Mother Belha Devi is the form of Mother Durga. Here you also get to see nine goddesses.

It is said that by coming here and asking for a wish in front of the mother, all wishes are fulfilled. When people here make a wish, they tie a thread here and go, and when their wish is fulfilled, they come here again and untie the thread. There is a huge crowd here during Navratri. Many devotees come to have the darshan of the Mother Goddess. By coming here, you get to have the darshan of Hanuman Ji and also get to have the darshan of Lord Shiva. You will feel very good coming here.

Chilbila Park Pratapgarh -

Chilbila is a beautiful place in Pratapgarh. It is a park. This park is surrounded by green trees on all sides. You get to see natural views by coming here. This park is built on the banks of Sai River. Here you also get to see Sai Baba's ashram, where you get to see a beautiful temple. You get to see Sai Baba ji in the temple. You can come here to visit.

Shaheed Udyan Park Pratapgarh -

Shaheed Udyan Park is a major place in Pratapgarh. This park is built in the middle of Pratapgarh city. This park is also known as Company Garden. This park is very beautiful. Trees and plants are found all around here. There are also many swings for children here, where children can enjoy a lot. This park is managed by the Municipal Corporation. There is a small pond here, in which you can see ducks. Rabbits are also kept here, which look very beautiful. You can come here and enjoy.

Haudeshwar Nath Temple Pratapgarh -

Haudeshwar Nath Temple is a famous temple of Pratapgarh. This temple is located in Kunda tehsil in Pratapgarh. This temple is dedicated to Lord Bholenath. Here one can see the ancient temple of Lord Shiva. It is said about this temple that the Shivlinga seated in this temple was established by Bhagirathi and he worshiped Lord Shiva here. Here the size of Shivlinga increases every year and many people come here to see this miracle.

Haudeshwar Nath Temple is built on the banks of the Ganges River in Kunda Tehsil. From here you also get to see the beautiful view of the Ganges River. It feels great to come here. Many people come here during Sawan Monday and Mahashivratri. This place is very beautiful naturally. Here you get to see more temples. There is a big banyan tree here, under which you can see the idol of Hanuman ji and many bells are also tied here. You can come here to visit. Baba Ghuisarnath Dham Pratapgarh - Baba Ghuisarnath Dham Pratapgarh Baba Ghuisarnath Dham is a famous place in Pratapgarh. This place is dedicated to Lord Bholenath. Here you get to see Lord Shiva. Here in the sanctum sanctorum, you get to see the Shivling of Bhole Baba. It is said that it is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. This Shivling is known as Ghushmeshwar Nath Shivling. This temple is built on the banks of the Sai River. It feels very good to come here. There is a beautiful ghat on the Sai River at Baba Ghuisarnath Dham, where you can take a bath. It feels very good to come here. Many people come here on Mahashivratri to have darshan of Lord Shiva. This temple is ancient. This temple is located on the road to Sangipur, about 10 km from Lalganj Ajhara in Pratapgarh. It feels very good to come here and you can spend your good time here.

Bhakti Dham Mangarh -

Bhakti Mandir Mangarh is a major tourist destination of Pratapgarh. This temple is located in Kunda tehsil of Pratapgarh district. This temple is also known as Mangarh Dham. This temple is very beautiful and has very beautiful carvings done with marble. This temple is spread over a very large area. This temple is dedicated to Shri Krishna ji and Radha ji. In the temple, you get to see a very beautiful idol of Shri Krishna ji and Radha ji. It feels very good to come here. Bhakti Mandir is the most famous place of Pratapgarh. Here you get to see a very big dome, which looks very attractive. All kinds of facilities are available here. Here you get to see very beautiful paintings of Shri Krishna ji. Paintings of Shri Krishna ji doing many leelas are also available here. Here you also get to see very beautiful statues, in which you get to see the statue of Shri Krishna ji and the statues of saints. This place is very good and you feel positive energy by coming here. A very big festival is celebrated here on Janmashtami, in which people come from far and wide. You can also come here to visit. There is also a very big garden here, where you can see many statues, which look very beautiful.

Maa Barahi Dham Pratapgarh -

Maa Barahi Dham is a beautiful place located near Pratapgarh. It is a religious place. This place is located in Chauharjan Raniganj in Pratapganj. This temple is built on the banks of the Sai River. You can come here and have darshan of the mother. There is also a temple of Bholenath here, where you get to see Shivling. This place is very nice and you can take a bath in the Sai River here. It feels very good to come here. Other rituals like Mundan are also performed here.

Shani Dev Dham -

Shri Shanidev Dham is a famous temple of Pratapgarh district. This temple is located about 2 km inside Vishwanath Bazaar on the Pratapgarh Allahabad main highway road in Pratapgarh district. This temple is dedicated to Shani Dev ji. This temple is built on a high hill. A beautiful view of the forest is seen all around the temple.

This temple is built on a high hill. There are stairs to go to the temple. This is an ancient temple. In this temple one can see the idol of Lord Shani. People come here on Saturdays and offer oil and flowers to Lord Shani. It feels very good to come here. The

Bakulahi river flows near the temple, the view of which is very beautiful. You can spend a good time by coming here.

Pratapgarh Fort -

Pratapgarh Fort is a historical site located in Pratapgarh district. This fort is now found here in ruins. This fort is located in the main Pratapgarh city. This fort is a private property. Therefore, it is forbidden to go inside this fort. You can see this fort only from outside. Bhakti Dham Mangarh - Mangarh Kunda Bhakti Mandir is a major tourist destination of Pratapgarh. This temple is located in Kunda tehsil of Pratapgarh district. This temple is also known as Mangarh Dham. This temple is very beautiful and has very beautiful carvings done with marble. This temple is spread over a very large area. This temple is dedicated to Shri Krishna ji and Radha ji. In the temple, you get to see a very beautiful idol of Shri Krishna ji and Radha ji. It feels very good to come here. Bhakti Mandir is the most famous place in Pratapgarh. Here you get to see a very big dome, which looks very attractive. All kinds of facilities are available here. Here you get to see very beautiful paintings of Shri Krishna. Paintings of Shri Krishna performing various leelas can also be seen here. Here you also get to see very beautiful statues, in which you get to see the statue of Shri Krishna and the statues of saints. This place is very nice and you feel positive energy after coming here. A big festival is celebrated here on Janmashtami, in which people from far away places come. You can also come here to visit. There is also a very big garden here, where you get to see many statues, which look very beautiful.

Shahabad Ganga Ghat Manikpur Pratapgarh -

Shahabad Ganga Ghat is a beautiful ghat on the banks of Ganga located near Kunda tehsil in Pratapgarh district. This ghat is very beautiful. It feels great to come here. This place has historical and religious significance. Here you get to see the fort of Raja Manik Chandra, which is built on the banks of Ganga Ghat and Jwala Devi temple is also built on the banks of this ghat. This temple is also ancient and you can come here to visit.

Baba Bhayaharan Nath Dham Pratapgarh -

Baba Bhayaharan Nath Dham is a famous temple of Pratapgarh. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is ancient. It is said about this temple that this temple was established by the Pandavas. Here you get to see the Shivling in the temple and get to see Nandi Maharaj ji. This temple is located on the banks of Bakulahi river in Pratapgarh district. A very beautiful view of the river can be seen from here. This temple is built in Katra Gulab Singh village in Pratapgarh district. You can come here to visit. A lot of people come here to visit during Mahashivratri. It feels very good to come here.

Ghuisarnath Dham Lalganj -

Baba Ghuisarnath Dham is a famous place in Pratapgarh. This place is dedicated to Lord Bholenath. Here you get to see Lord Shiva. Here in the sanctum sanctorum, you get to see the Shivling of Bhole Baba. It is said that it is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. This Shivling is known as Ghushmeshwar Nath Shivling. This temple is built on the banks of the Sai River. It feels very good to come here.

There is a beautiful ghat on the Sai River at Baba Ghuisarnath Dham, where you can take a bath. It feels very good to come here. Many people come here to see Lord Shiva on Mahashivratri. This temple is ancient. This temple is located on the road to Sangipur, about 10 km from Lalganj Ajhara in Pratapgarh. It feels very good to come here and you can spend your good time here.

☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️

............... न सौ पढ़ा न एक प्रतापगढ़ा...............

Brief History of Pratapgarh 😊

Pratapgarh History, Popular Places and It's Importance