About Kanpur

Kanpur spelled as CAWNPORE before 1948, it is the tenth most popular city in INDIA and the largest within the state of UTTAR PRADESH. It is the second largest city of the HINDI-speaking city after Delhi. It remains one of the oldest industrial townships of NORTH INDIA although it has not kept pace with IT industry growth in the rest of India due to political indifference. It has a metropolitan area of over 1,640square kilometres (630 semi) and a city area of around 829square km with a population of approximately 5 million.With this huge population city also has lot of problems with traffic and pollution.

Continuous development in the city like over-bridges,sewage lines and roads caused problems to citizens for last 2 to 3 years. The status of the city was upgraded when it was included in the “COUNTER MAGNET” of NATIONA CAPITAL REGION (NCR). To tackle the traffic problem state government and local administration have planned to set up metro service in city known as KANPUR METRO. Owing to the city’s industrial importance, one of the few branches of the Reserve Banks of India and Institute of Chartered Accountants of India were established in the city.It is also home to several globally recognized institutions such as,IIT Kanpur, Harcourt Butler Technological Institute (HBTI) and GSVM Medical Collage. CULTURE HISTORY OF KANPURThe Nana Sahib with his escort. Steel engraved print, published in History of the Indian Mutiny (late 1950s).

Nestled on the banks of the eternal Ganga, Kanpur stands as one of North India’s major industrial centres with its own historical, religious and commercial importance. Believed to have been founded by king Hindu Singh of the erstwhile state of Sachendi, Kanpur was originally known as “CAWNPORE”.Historically, Jajmau on the eastern outskirts of present day Kanpur is regarded as one of the most archaic townships of Kanpur district. Up to the first half of the 18th century, Kanpur continued to survive as an insignificant village. Its fate, however, took a new turn soon after. In May 1765, Shuja-ud-daula, the Nawab Wazir of Awadh, was defeated by the British near Jajmau. It was probably at this time that strategic importance of the site of Kanpur was realised by the British.

European businessmen had by this time gradually started establishing themselves in Kanpur.In order to ensure protection to their lives and property, the “Awadh local forces” were shifted here in 1778. Kanpur passed into British hands under the treaty of 1801 with Nawab Saadat Ali Khan of Awadh. This forms a turning point in the history of Kanpur. Soon Kanpur became one of the most important military stations of British India. It was declared a district on 24 March 1803. Kanpur was a hotbed of change in the independence and literary movements during the 1900–1950 period.

The largest shopping centre is named Navin Market, after the poet Bal Krishna Sharma aka “Navin”.Later poets included Gopal Das “Niraj” who wrote songs for Bollywood movies. Kanpur is also the birthplace of Shyamlal Gupta `Parshad’, composer of the famous ditty Vijayee Vishwa Tiranga Pyara. The propagation and popularization of Hindi also owes much to this city, with great Hindu literattures such as Acharya Mahavir Parasad Dwivedi, Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi, Pratap Narain Mishra and Acharya Gaya Prasad Shukla `Sanehi’. The Agricultural University is named after the revolutionary Chandrashekhar Azad and the Medical College after Ganesh Shanker Vidyarthi; both men spent much time in Kanpur.While Chandrashekhar ‘Azad’ shot himself when surrounded by a huge posse of British soldiers at Alfred Park, Allahabad, Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi was killed during the Hindu-Muslim riots of 1931 at Machli Bazar in Kanpur. BITHOOR About 25km from Kanpur is Bithoor.

Legend has it that Sita, the wife of Lord Rama came to live at the ashram of sage Valmiki, after Rama expelled her from Ayodhya. It was here that she gave birth to the twins Lav and Kush, and disappeared back into the earth (from where she was born) when confronted by a repentant Rama.Bithoor is also the site of the fort to which Nana Sahib escaped following the British retaking of Kanpur. Today, Bithoor is a tourist spot on the banks of the Ganges and Kanpur is expanding very fast with new residential complexes sprouting up everywhere. Among festivals Ganga Mela is a unique festival that is played only in kanpur, 7 days after the festival Holi. The festival is celebrated in the memories of revolutionaries who were released by British government who were held prisoners during 1857 revolution. Green Park Stadium, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

In the background, the river Ganges can be seen Cricket is most popular sport in Kanpur. Green Park Stadium is a 45,000 capacity floodlit multi-purpose stadium located in Kanpur, and the home ground of the Uttar Pradesh cricket team. However, of late due to political and financial reasons, the ground has been rarely utilized. It is the only international cricket stadium in Uttar Pradesh that has hosted many international cricket matches of both Test and One Day format. Football is also a popular sport in the city and many schools and colleges organise Football Tournaments.Other sports include basketball, hockey, athletics, volleyball etc. The most popular sports in the rural areas near the city are Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Gilli Danda, Akhada wrestling, etc.

The game of Gully cricket also known as Street Cricket is popular among the youth in the city. Children as well as teenagers play the game of cricket in alleys and lanes. Shri Radhakrishna Temple (j. k. Temple), KanpurThe beautifully constructed, Shri Radha krishna Temple (J. K. Temple) is a boon to the devotees.

Built by J. K. Trust this architectural delight is a unique blend of ancient architecture with the modern.The even-level roofs of the mandaps have been provided with adequate ventilation for sufficient light and air. Of the five shrines, the central one is consecrated to Shri Radha krishna and the others have idols of Shri Laxminarayan, Shri. Ardhanarishwar, Shri Narmadeshwar and Shri Hanuman. Kanpur zoo Allen Forest Zoo in Kanpur is one of the most visited Zoological Parks of not only Uttar Pradesh but also the whole of India.

This zoo cum botanical garden is a must visit destination during your tour to Kanpur.Allen Forest Zoo that is popularly called the Kanpur Zoo was opened in 1971 and ranks among one of the best zoos in the country. It is an ideal place for outdoor life and picnics amongst picturesque surroundings. The Zoological Park in Kanpur was the brainchild of one Sir Allen after whom the zoo bears its name. Sir Allen was a member of the then Indian Civil Service. A botanist par excellence, Sir Allen had conceived an idea to open the zoo but his plans got stuck in the debris of Red-tapeism and didn’t materialize.When the zoo was opened in 1971 by the government of independent India, it was decided that the zoo would be named after him.

The Zoo has a number of animals, birds and reptiles in its kitty. The notable member from the animal kingdom includes Tiger, White Asiatic Tiger, Asiatic Lions, Cheetah, Leopard, Hyena, Bear, Grizzly, Monkeys, Languor, Baboon, Musk deer, Deer, Antelope and more. Among the birds, the prized possessions of the zoo are Emus, Ostrich, Parrots, Parakeet, Saras-Crane and various Indian as well as European fowls.