History of Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh

History of Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh

According to general conventions hardoi district is related with "HIRNAKASHYAP" its present name hardoi is a distorted version of its earlier name "HARIDROHI ". In view of some people this district was colonized by Hardevbaksh and just because of this reason there is an old locality Hardevganj exists in the city. Mallawa, Bilgram, Pihani, Shahabad, Sandila & Ruiyaa are the places of historical significance. According to some historians Mallawa was colonized by Buddhists while some believed that Sayyed Salar Masood Gazi came here. Earlier this area Mallawa was district headquarter. The ancient name of Bilgram is "SRINAGAR" its present name Bilgram was given by some associates of .Mahmood Gajnavi.Pihani is derived by persian word Pinhani (place of shelter), it is believed that king of Moughal dynasty Humayun took shelter in the forest of Pihani when he was defeated by Shershah Suri. Pihani is also related with the minister Sadarejahan of Emperor Akbar. His tomb and paintings are still here.According to the view of some people, Sandila was colonized by Rishi Sandilya. Sandila is also famous for old buildings,mosque & barakhamba.

Muslim occupation

Hardoi is first mentioned during the Muslim rule. In 1028, Bwan was invaded by Sayyid Salara Masgud. However, Muslims didn’t occupy the region until 1217.ASper IMPERILA GAZETTEER and GAETTEER OF OUDH (AWADH) This place Sandila was the kingdom of Pasis, both side of river Sai and Gomati .They had given tough fight to Muslims . After long battles Sayyad Shakir established first Muslim site at GOPAMAU. Many battles between the Mogul and Afghan empires took place in Hardoi district due to the situation of the district. Humayun was defeated by Sher Shah Suri between the cities of Bilgram and Sandi, and he escaped by crossing the river Ganges with the help of a bhisti to whom he had made the king for one day after regaining the throne.

Later, in February 1856, Hardoi, as a part of Oudh, became part of the British territory after Lord Dalhousie's proclamation. The headquarters of the district were at first Mallawan, but then became Hardoi after the Sepoy Mutiny.