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Mirzapur district

Coordinates: 25°09′02″N 82°33′53″E / 25.150677°N 82.564807°E / 25.150677; 82.564807
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This article is about the district. For its eponymous headquarters, see Mirzapur.

Mirzapur district
District of Uttar Pradesh
Siddhanath ki Dari Falls
Siddhanath ki Dari Falls
Location of Mirzapur district in Uttar Pradesh
Location of Mirzapur district in Uttar Pradesh
Country India
StateUttar Pradesh
DivisionMirzapur
Established1509
HeadquartersMirzapur
Tehsils4
Government
 • District MagistratePriyanka Niranjan, IAS
 • Chairman, Nagar Palika Parishad, MirzapurShyam Sunder Keshari
 • Lok Sabha constituenciesMirzapur
 • Member of Parliament, Lok SabhaAnupriya Patel (Minister of State for Commerce and Industry of India)
Area
 • Total
4,521 km2 (1,746 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total
2,496,970
 • Density550/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
 • Urban
347,567
Demographics
 • Literacy70.38%
 • Sex ratio903
 • LanguageHindi • Urdu
Time zoneUTC+05:30 (IST)
Vehicle registrationUP-63
Average annual precipitation1043 mm
WebsiteOfficial Website

Mirzapur district is one of the 75 districts in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The district is bounded on the north by Bhadohi and Varanasi districts, on the east by Chandauli district, on the south by Sonbhadra district and Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh[2] and on the northwest by Prayagraj. The district occupies an area of 4521 km2. Mirzapur city is the district headquarters. Mirzapur district is a part of Mirzapur division. This district is known for the Vindhyavasini temple in Vindhyachal and several tourist attractions like waterfalls like Rajdari and Devdari[3] and dams. It consist of several Ghats where historical sculptures are still present. During the Ganges festival these Ghats are decorated with lights and earthen lamps.

It was once the largest district in Uttar Pradesh until Sonbhadra district was separated from Mirzapur in 1989.

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1901488,998—    
1911483,880−0.11%
1921483,470−0.01%
1931526,344+0.85%
1941600,806+1.33%
1951679,171+1.23%
1961803,784+1.70%
1971960,495+1.80%
19811,238,432+2.57%
19911,627,970+2.77%
20012,074,709+2.45%
20112,496,970+1.87%
source:[4]
Religions in Mirzapur district (2011)[5]
Religion Percent
Hinduism
 
 91.81%
Islam
 
 7.84%
Other or not stated
 
 0.35%

According to the 2011 census Mirzapur district has a population of 2,496,970,[1] roughly equal to the nation of Kuwait[6] or the US state of Nevada.[7] This gives it a ranking of 174th in India (out of a total of 640).[1] The district has a population density of 561 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,450/sq mi).[1] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 17.89%.[1] Mirzapur has a sex ratio of 900 females for every 1000 males,[1] and a literacy rate of 70.38%. 13.92% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes made up 26.48% and 0.81% of the population respectively.[1] Female literacy rate here is 54%.

Languages

Main article: Mirzapuri

Mirzapuri,[8] a dialect of Awadhi, is the regional language of Mirzapur district.

Languages of Mirzapur district (2011)[9]
  1. Hindi (80.95%)
  2. Bhojpuri (18.4%)
  3. Others (0.65%)

At the time of the 2011 Census of India, 80.95% of the population in the district reported Hindi as their mother tongue .[9]

Mirzapuri[10] is the widely spoken local dialect in Mirzapur district. It is actually a dialect of Awadhi language[11][12][13][14] which has a lexical similarity of 72-91% with Hindi and is considered a dialect of Hindi,[15][16][17][18] locals report Hindi as their mother tongue. Thus Hindi ( Awadhi )[19] becomes the most spoken language in the district.[20] In other languages, Bhojpuri language[21] is the second most reported mother tongue usually spoken in eastern parts of the district bordering bhojpuri regions. Agariya,[22] an Austroasiatic tongue with approximately 70,000 speakers; and Baghelkhandi,[23] a tongue in the Eastern Hindi group are also spoken in the southern parts of the district.[24]

Administrative divisions

The district consists four Tehsils. These are Mirzapur (Sadar), Chunar, Marihan and Lalganj. These four tehsils are further divided into twelve blocks.

Origin of the Name 'Mirzapur'

The name Mirzapur is believed to have multiple interpretations. One local belief connects it to the Persian term Mirza, which combines Mir (often linked to "sea" or "commander" in Persian/Arabic) and za (birth or lineage), with Pur meaning town or place. This suggests it could mean "place of the prince" or "child of the ruler." Another interpretation ties the name to goddess Lakshmi, who emerged from the sea during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) in Hindu mythology, linking "Mir" to the sea and "ja" to outcome. Additionally, folklore suggests the town was originally called Girijapur (Town of Mountains), possibly founded by Raja Nanner, before evolving into Mirzapur during Mughal times, likely under Shah Jahan’s reign.[25]

History

The history of Mirzapur, a district and city in Uttar Pradesh, India, spans from prehistoric times to the modern era, marked by significant archaeological findings, tribal legacies, imperial influences, colonial administration, and cultural prominence as a spiritual center near the Ganges River. Situated at the confluence of the Ganges and the Vindhya Range, Mirzapur has been a crossroads of human activity, trade, and religious significance for millennia.

Ancient History or Prehistoric Roots

Mirzapur is one of the oldest inhabited regions in the Gangetic Plains, with evidence of human activity dating back to the Lower Paleolithic era, over 17,000 years ago. Archaeological excavations in the Belan River Valley near Halia have uncovered stone tools, including hand-axes and cleavers, indicative of early hunter-gatherer societies. These findings, documented by scholars like G.R. Sharma in the mid-20th century, suggest a continuous cultural sequence through the Middle Paleolithic, Upper Paleolithic, and into the Neolithic period (circa 5000 BCE), with signs of early agriculture and domestication of plants and animals at sites like Lekhahia and Sarai Nahar Rai.

The Vindhya Range shelters near Morhana Pahar contain prehistoric rock art, featuring petroglyphs and paintings of hunting scenes, chariots, horses, and human figures with weapons. Estimated to date between 10,000 and 2,000 BCE, these artworks provide insights into early social structures and possible connections to Indo-Aryan migrations or regional trade networks, though interpretations remain debated among archaeologists. Mirzapur also retains remnants of aboriginal communities such as the Bhars, Cheros, Seoris, Kols, and Kherwars, believed to be among the earliest inhabitants, shaping the region’s pre-agrarian landscape.

In ancient times, the area was associated with the Karusha tribe, mentioned in texts like the Mahabharata. During the Mauryan Empire (321–185 BCE), Mirzapur fell under imperial control, evidenced by a minor rock edict of Emperor Ashoka on Chandan Shahid Hill, inscribed in Brahmi script to propagate Dhamma. Nearby Chunar, a strategic fort on the Ganges, housed sandstone quarries used for crafting Ashokan Pillars, including the one at Sarnath, highlighting the region’s role as a resource hub.[26]

Medieval History

During the medieval period, Mirzapur remained a peripheral, forested region under the influence of successive powers. Under the Mughal Empire, particularly during Emperor Akbar’s reign (1556–1605), the area was integrated into the Subas (provinces) of Allahabad and Bihar, and further divided into the Sarkars of Allahabad, Benares (Varanasi), Chunar, and Rohtas, as documented in the Ain-i-Akbari. Primarily a rural hinterland with dense forests, it contributed agricultural produce and forest resources like timber and honey through local Zamindars. The region’s forests were also used as hunting grounds by rulers of neighboring states, including Benares, Sakteshgarh, Vijaygarh, Naina Gadh (Chunar), Naugadh, Kantit, and Rewa.

The name "Mirzapur," derived from the Persian term Mirza (meaning "child of the ruler" or "prince") and the suffix Pur (town), likely emerged during Mughal times, possibly under Shah Jahan (1628–1658), though specific founding records are absent. Prior to this, local folklore suggests the area may have been called Girijapur, potentially linked to a mythical Raja Nanner or associated with Goddess Parvati (Girija). Nearby Chunar Fort, a key military outpost, passed through various hands, including Sher Shah Suri (1540–1545) and the Mughals, exerting indirect control over Mirzapur’s surrounding villages. Before British intervention, the region fell under the Zamindari of the Raja of Benares, operating within the broader suzerainty of the Nawabs of Oudh (Awadh).[27]

British Colonial Period

Mirzapur emerged as a significant administrative and commercial center under the British East India Company, which formally established it as a trading post in 1735. Strategically located on the Ganges and connected via the Great Deccan Road to the state of Rewa, Mirzapur served as a vital trade link between Central and Western India. Initially named "Mirzapore" in colonial records, it became a hub for cotton, silk, and later carpet trade by the early 19th century, peaking as an emporium before declining with the advent of railways favoring other centers like Kanpur.

Significant infrastructure development occurred under British governance, notably during the tenure of Lord Richard Wellesley, Governor-General from 1798 to 1805. Key projects included the reconstruction of Burrier (Bariya) Ghat on the Ganges as a primary entry point for trade, the establishment of Wellesleyganj as the town’s first organized market, and the construction of Mukeri Bazar. The Municipal Corporation Building, reflecting Victorian and Indo-Saracenic architectural styles, stands as a testament to colonial planning. These developments transformed Mirzapur from a forested periphery into a structured urban center.

Politically, Mirzapur was part of the Benares Province, ceded to the East India Company in 1775 by Asaf-ud-Daula, the Nawab Wazir of Oudh, under the Treaty of Faizabad. Until 1794, it remained under the Zamindari of Raja Mahip Narayan Singh of Benares. On October 27, 1794, the Raja surrendered full administrative control to the British Governor-General Sir John Shore, retaining limited jurisdiction over family domains known as Parganas. Post-1794, the district’s history focused on fiscal matters, with the British introducing land revenue systems and redefining boundaries in 1861 by incorporating villages from Prayagraj District. The commercial prominence of Mirzapur waned by the late 19th century, though it retained regional importance, as noted in the 1872 District Gazetteer of Mirzapur compiled by D.R. Lyall.[25]

Cultural And Religious Significance

Mirzapur holds deep religious importance in Hindu mythology due to its location where the Ganges meets the Vindhya Range, a confluence referenced in the Vedas. Nearby Vindhyachal, a Shakti Peeth, is a major pilgrimage site housing the Vindhyavasini Devi Temple. Dedicated to Goddess Vindhyavasini, believed to reside in the Vindhya mountains, the temple attracts thousands during Navratri festivals in the months of Chaitra (March–April) and Ashwin (September–October). This spiritual heritage, combined with Mirzapur’s historical trade role, underscores its enduring cultural prominence in the region.

Major Tourist Places

Tourism is the core revenue generating sector of Mirzapur.[28] It has serene beautiful nature, lush green forests, wildlife sanctuaries, enchanting Hills, waterfalls and many religious sites.

  • Zanana or Pucca Ghat[29]

Economy

In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Mirzapur one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640).[30] It is one of the 34 districts in Uttar Pradesh to have received funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).[30] Once tourism used to contribute to the economy but due to lack of care from government officials and local people the unmatched beauty of the places like Sirshe dam and waterfall, Dadri (Pipari) dam, Vindham waterfall, Lower Khajuri, Upper Khajuri, Lakhaniya waterfall, Siddhnath Waterfall, Kotwan-Patehara forest, Fort of Chunar and Dadri-Haliya forest has become 'the stories of past'. Once there was a time when every Sunday of rainy season used to be a fair like atmosphere for the neighbouring localities of Sirshe waterfall and Vindham waterfall due to their attraction of tourist not only from every part of the U.P. and but neighbourhood states too. The separation of the Sonebhadra largely affected the economical condition and after the closing of mills and depression in the carpet industry Mirzapur has become economically disadvantaged.

Education

Colleges

  • K.B. Postgraduate College
  • G.D. Binani P.G. College
  • Maa Vindhyavasini Autonomous State Medical College
  • Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, BHU
  • B.L.J. Inter College
  • M.P.M.B. Inter College
  • Government Inter College
  • Jubilee Inter College
  • Arya Kanya Inter College

Notable people

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "District Census Handbook: Mirzapur" (PDF). censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
  2. ^ Banerjee, Ruman; Srivastava, Prashant K. (2014), Srivastava, Prashant K.; Mukherjee, Saumitra; Gupta, Manika; Islam, Tanvir (eds.), "Remote Sensing Based Identification of Painted Rock Shelter Sites: Appraisal Using Advanced Wide Field Sensor, Neural Network and Field Observations", Remote Sensing Applications in Environmental Research, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 195–212, doi:10.1007/978-3-319-05906-8_11, ISBN 978-3-319-05905-1, retrieved 16 January 2025
  3. ^ "Mirzapur".
  4. ^ Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901
  5. ^ "Table C-01 Population by Religion: Uttar Pradesh". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
  6. ^ US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Archived from the original on 13 June 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2011. Kuwait 2,595,62
  7. ^ "2010 Resident Population Data". U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 25 December 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2011. Nevada 2,700,551
  8. ^ Frawley, William J. (1 May 2003). International Encyclopedia of Linguistics. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-977178-3.
  9. ^ a b "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Uttar Pradesh". www.censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  10. ^ "hortensj-garden.org". www.hortensj-garden.org. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  11. ^ "OLAC resources in and about the Awadhi language". olac.ldc.upenn.edu. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  12. ^ Grierson, G. A. (1967). Linguistic Survey of India. The Long Now Foundation. Motilal Banarsidass.
  13. ^ Saksena, Baburam (1938). Evolution of Awadhi: branch of Hindi.
  14. ^ Saksena, Baburam (1938). Evolution of Awadhi: branch of Hindi.
  15. ^ admin (27 March 2020). "पूर्वी हिंदी की प्रमुख बोलियाँ और विशेषताएँ | purvi hindi". HINDI SARANG. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  16. ^ "Hindi Language Variation". lisindia.ciil.org. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  17. ^ Chaturvedi, Vartik (1 July 2024). "Know About All The Hindi Dialects In Different Parts Of Uttar Pradesh - Culture". Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  18. ^ "'Awadhi language is grouped as mother tongue under Hindi'". Big News Network.com. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  19. ^ "Exploring Hindi Dialects: A Comprehensive Guide". Sayhindi Hindi. 11 August 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  20. ^ "Mirzapur Language Profile". langlex.com. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  21. ^ Bhojpuri at Ethnologue (25th ed., 2022) Closed access icon
  22. ^ Agariya at Ethnologue (25th ed., 2022) Closed access icon
  23. ^ Bagheli at Ethnologue (25th ed., 2022) Closed access icon
  24. ^ George A. Grierson (1911). Linguistic Survey of India 1898-1928.
  25. ^ a b Government of India. DH 2011 0968 PART B DCHB MIRZAPUR.
  26. ^ Government of India. DH 2011 0968 PART B DCHB MIRZAPUR.
  27. ^ Government of India. DH 2011 0968 PART B DCHB MIRZAPUR.
  28. ^ "Mirzapur District Map". Maps of India. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  29. ^ "INTACH ARCHIVE : image : Zanana or Pucca Ghat, Mirzapur [MIRZ_011]". icharchive.intach.org. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
  30. ^ a b Ministry of Panchayati Raj (8 September 2009). "A Note on the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme" (PDF). National Institute of Rural Development. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
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25°09′02″N 82°33′53″E / 25.150677°N 82.564807°E / 25.150677; 82.564807

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