Varanasi has an important place in the Hindu mythology. It is considered to be one of the holy places of Hindus. It is situated on the banks of the River Ganges and that part of Ganges in Varanasi is said to have the powers to wash away the sins of the dead people. Varanasi is also called as Banaras or Kasi in ancient days and is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva and his wife Parvathi. The history of Varanasi starts from 1000 B.C. when the Aryan settlement started there.

The importance of Varanasi is felt in the three ancient religions of India, Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Lord Buddha delivered his famous sermon in 500 B.C. in the place called Saranath located 10 kilometers from Varanasi. The region is important in Jainism because the three Tirthankaras were born here. It was one of the seats of learning and place of trade and commerce in ancient India.

The Chinese traveler Huan Tsuang visited this place in 635 A.D. He had quoted in his writings that the city served as the center of religious and artistic activities. Varanasi served as the capital of the Kingdom of Kasi. The kingdom of Kasi was one of the biggest during the 6^th century B.C.

The glory of the place started to decline when Mahmud Ghazni invaded in 1033 A.D. It was followed by the attack of Mohammed Gori in 1193 A.D. Many Hindu temples were demolished during this time. Sikandar Lodi of Delhi Sultanate invaded the place in 1494 and Mughal king Babar invaded the place in 1529. During the reign of the Mughal King Akbar, some of the lost glory is replaced. However King Aurangazeb wanted this city to reflect Islamic culture and so renamed it Mohammadabad. The place also has many other names including Avimuktaka, Surandhana, Brahma Vardha, Sudarsana, Ramya, Mahasmasana, Kasi and Benaras.

The Mughal rule was followed by the Marathas in Banaras who brought back some of the lost pride of Varanasi. Kashi Naresh was the king of Benaras in 18^th century. He had a good reputation among the people of Varanasi even now and some consider him as the incarnation of Lord Shiva. During his time, Ram Nagar served as the capital of the Kingdom of Kashi.

Annie Besant made Varanasi as the home of the Theosophical society. The Banaras Hindu University, one of the biggest universities in Asia was started by Pandit Madhan Mohan Malavya in the early part of 20^th century. The earthquake struck the place on 15^th January 1934. After the independence of India, Varanasi was made as a part of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. In the bomb blast that occurred in Varanasi Court on 23^rd November 2007, nine people were killed and 45 were injured. At present it is one of the holy places in India and Varanasi photos and Varanasi videos are also revered.

Time Line of Events Related to Varanasi

528 B.C. – First Sermon of Buddha was delivered.

240 B.C. – Mauryan King Ashoka visited the place.

405 A.D. – The Chinese traveler Fa Hien visited the place.

635 A.D. – the Chinese traveler Huan Tsang visited the place.

1114 to 1154 A.D. – Gahadaval King Govindacandra ruled the place.

1248 – Mohamed Ghori invaded the place.

1494 – Sikandar Lodi invaded the city.

1532 – Mughal King Humayun visited.

1567 – King Akbar defeated Jaychandra and King of Kashi.

1764 – It came under the control of the East India Company.

1862 – Railway line between Varanasi and Mughalsarai was established.

1948 – The city was affected by flood.

2000 – Dr. Bhivuti Narayan Singh, the king of Varanasi died.

2006 – Serial bomb blast and 200 people were killed.

2009 – Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Guru visited Varanasi.

Article Posted By : Sumazla  On February 17, 2012lView All Articles

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