History of Bhagalpur Bhagalpur is one of the oldest districts of Bihar located in the Southern region. Bhagalpur--As An Important Destination in Medieval History Bhagalpur, being an important junction between Delhi and Bengal, continued to be a popular destination throughout the medieval history. However,the fate of the city swayed between the fortunes of the kings of Delhi and the rulers of Bengal. Various grandees passed by this important city and have left their mark. During the Tughlaq period it was a mint town and was greatly partronised by the Mughals. A number of educational institutions were popular in medieval Bhagalpur. Jehangir awarded jagirs for the upkeep of a resident madarsa founded by Maulana Shahbaz, a scholar and a saint who was an authourity on Mohammadan law and tradition. Khanqah-i-Shahbazia An Institutation Khanqah-i-Shahbazia was a highly reputed institution with a rich library and a rallying centre for scholars and men of learning. One of the five jurists invited by Aurangzeb for the compilation of his famous Fatwa-i-Alamgiri was Mir Muhammad Raadhi from Bhagalpur. In 1669 he received a daily allowance of three rupees and was later raised to the rank of an Amir. Sheikh Nizam, another noted theologian of his times was also welcomed to the Mughal court.Khangah-i-Shahbazia, Mullachak, adjoining the Bhagalpur Railway Station continues to be a flourishing seminary under the care of the 13th generation of the descendants of Maulana Shahbaz. The Sajjadah Nashin (direct descendent) is supposed to spend his life within the boundries of the Khangah. He leads the prayer, takes care of the various charitable projects and indulges in spiritual services. According to tradition they are exempted from appearance in any court of law.A visit to the Khangah springs a number of surprises like the oldest mosque in Bhagalpur wrapped in black dome. The typical Bengali roof over the medieval tombs houses the Kadam-i-Rasool (foot print of the prophet) and other memorabilia dating back to the medieval days. The library of the Khangah is rich in Arabic and Persian theological works, which includes hand written books dating back to the days of Maulana Shahbaz. One of the prized collection of the library includes the Holy Quran transcribed by Murshid Quli Khan, the Nawab of Murshidabad who was fond of donating his works to various Khangahs and even setting aside an allowance for their daily broadcast. The Attractions of Diverse Monuments Bhagalpur continues to be reasonably rich in monuments. Unlike the black domes of Shahi Mosque at Mullachak, the 15th century Bikanpur mosque is sparkling white and so is the medieval Khaligabagh mosque. At Khanjarpur, one is greeted with the grand tomb of Ibrahim Hussain Khan, rated, rated as the best Muslim monument in North Biha. Kuppa Ghat or Mehi Ashram by the river side is an ideal place to spend the evening. The ashram hides an old subterranean passage leading to various destinations (they are open to visitors but only when accompanied by an attendant).
Legend Associates Legend, buttressed by a little hard evidence, has it that today’s Bhagalpur was the Champavati of fifth century B.C. It was a period when India’s earliest Indian empire was evolving around the Gangetic plains and Anga was one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas (great states) that flourished. Champavati, the capital of Anga was also referred to by other ancient names like Malini, Champapuri, champa Malini, Kala Malini among others.Athra Veda depicts Anga as an unholy place while Karna Parva condemns Anga as the land where wives and children were sold. However, at other places Mahabharat attests to the people of Anga as Sujati (noble birth) and proclaims the sanctity of Champa as a tirtha (place of pilgrimage).The epic attributes the foundation of this kingdom to a prince named Anga. Ramayana, however relates a romantic origin by way of Madana (Kamadeva or the Love God) cutting off his anga (body) in this region, out of sheer frustration at Siva’s anger.
City Attractions Within the city one can visit Karngarh and the four hillocks, attractive Jain temples, a Christ Church near the city tower and an old symmetry in a very ruined shape, Bhagalpur museum besides Burh Nath temple on the riverside in Jogsar Mohallah. Bhagalpur is equally famous for Visharhi Asthan, the venue for the Bihula or the Mansa Puja held every July when the snakes are worshipped. A little distance from the Visharhi Asthan temple lies the colourful Durga Asthan. Next door is the Mahashay Deori-a typical Thakur Bari. Mahashay was the honorific hereditary title given by Akbar in 1664 to Sri Ram Ghosh, the collector. The Mahashay deori is worth a visit. It revives the memory of a typical Mughal Zamindar’s residence of deori replete with open court yard, a temple with a strange deity called Batuk Bhairab ( Possibly a Buddhist image) which was discovered by the early Mahashays at Tilhakothi where they used to live during the Mughal days.
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