Kannauj

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (Retd.)

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Map of Kanauj district

Kannauj (कन्नौज) is a city and district in Uttar Pradesh. Kannauj is an ancient city. The district was split from Farrukhabad on September 18, 1997. Kannauj is known for the distilling of scents and is a market center for tobacco, perfume, and rose water. It has given its name to a distinct dialect of the Hindi language known as Kanauji.

Variants of name

• Calinipaxa (Pliny.vi.21)
• Gadhipura (गधीपुर) (James Todd Annals/Index Vol III:i. p. 34, 42, 50, 105), (Rajatarangini of Kalhana:Kings of Kashmira/Book IV (p.67), founded by Gadhi;
• Gadhipura (गाधिपुर) (AS, p.167)
• Kanyapura (कन्यापुर) = Kanyakubja (कान्यकुब्ज) (AS, p.132)
• Kanagora (कनगोर) दे. Kanyakubja (कान्यकुब्ज) (AS, p.130)
• Kanyakubja (कान्यकुब्ज) (AS, p.163)
• Kanyakubja River (कान्यकुब्ज नदी) (AS, p.167)
• Kanyapura (कन्यापुर) (वराहपुराण) (AS, 132, p.167)
• Mahodaya महोदय (AS, p.730)
• Kushika (कुशिक)(AS, p.167, p.214)
• Kosha (कोश) (AS, p.167)
• Kusumapura (कुसुमपुर) (युवानच्वांग)(AS, p.167)
• Kannakujja (कण्णकुज्ज) (पाली)(AS, p.167)
• Kanogija (कनोगिजा) दे. Kanyakubja (कान्यकुब्ज) (AS, p.131)
• Kannauj (कन्नोज) = Kanyakubja (कान्यकुब्ज) (AS,p.131)
• Kushasthala (कुशस्थल) = Kanyakubja (कान्यकुब्ज]] = Kannauj (कन्नौज)(AS, p.211)

Location

Kannauj is located at 27°04′N 79°55′E / 27.07°N 79.92°E / 27.07; 79.92. It has an average elevation of 139 metres.

The district is bounded by the districts of Farrukhabad to the north, Hardoi to the northeast, Kanpur Nagar to the east, Kanpur Dehat to the southeast, Auraiya to the south, Etawah to the southwest, and Mainpuri to the west.

Rivers - The Ganges is the main river of the district at the North East border of the district. Kali River is at the northern border of the district while the Ishan River flows through the District.

History

Kannauj is one among the most ancient place of India having rich archeological and cultural heritage. The early history of the region now covered by the present district of Kannauj goes back to remote antiquity. During the Bronze Age numerous pre historical weapons and tools were find here. Large numbers of stone statues are found here. Kannauj can claim great antiquity in sculpture. The Aryans settled in this region who were close allies of Kurus. The traditional history of the district from the earliest times till the end of The Mahabharata war is gleaned from the Puranas & Mahabharata.

'Amavasu' founded a kingdom, the capital of which later was Kannauj. Jahnu was a powerful king since the river Ganga is said to have been named after him as Jahnaui. This region rose into great prominence during the Mahabharata period. Kampilya was the capital of South Panchala and it was here that the famous Svayamvara of Draupadi. The name Panchala being used for the entire region, of which Kampilya (Kampil) was the chief city which has till then been the capital of South Panchala.

Panchala figures as the tenth in the list of the sixteen premier states (Mahajanpada) in the time of Mahavira and Buddha and is said to have comprised the region covered by the present districts of Bareily , Badaun and Farrukhabad. About the middle of the fourth century B.C., probably in the reign of Mahapadma, this territory was annexed to the Nanda empire of Magadha. Ashoka also built a monolithic pillar at Sankisa, which was noticed by the Chinese traveller, Fa-hien. A large number of coins were found at places like Mathura and Kannauj and in Panchala region which are supposed to be associated with the Mitra rulers. The basis of the coins are generally believed to have flourished between C.100 B.C. and C.200 A.D.

Kannauj was a famous and important city in the second century is also attested to by its mention under the name of Kangora or Kanogiza by the geographer, Ptolemy (C.140 A.D.). The present district of Farrukhabad shared the fruits of the golden age of the Guptas and contributed much towards its peace and prosperity.

Fa-hien, the Chinese pilgrim visited Kannauj between 399 and 414 A.D., during the reign of Chandragupta II. Fa-hien spent his retreat at the Dragon-Shrine and when it was over he travelled seven yojanas to the south-east, which brought him to Kannauj. Sankisa was one of the greatest Buddhist pilgrims centre at the time of Fa-hien's visit. Fa-hien remarks "This country is very productive and the people are flourishing and happy beyond compare. When man of other nations come, care is taken of all of them and they are provided with what they require". There was a renewed invasion of the Hunas with far greater success. After this, Harivarman appears to have been the founder of the Maukhari house of Kannauj. Harsha also advanced towards Kannauj. The Chinese pilgrim, Hiuen Tsang, visited Kannauj in 643 A.D.. There were 100 Buddhist Monasteries with more than 10000 priests. A religious assembly was also held here by Harsha. Hiuen Tsang mentions Kah-Pi-Ta (Kapitha, identified with Sankisa) as the other important place of the district.

Kannauj town is known to have been an important city during the Gupta empire. It was a centre of Hindu culture and political status for centuries. Kannauj is frequently referred to in the epic Mahabharata and is alluded to by Patañjali in the second century B.C. In the year 405 A.D. when great Chinese pilgrim Fa-hien visited the city it had only two Buddhist monasteries and it was not very large. When Hiuen Tsang visited the city in 636 A.D., however, Kannauj had grown large. Hiuen Tsang stayed here for seven years.

Kannauj reached the pinnacle of its glory in the 7th century under emperor Harshavardhana (606-647 A.D.) Harshavardhana made Kannauj his capital and united his people, the Jats, as one nation under it. At that time it had earned the name of Mahodaya Sree due to its grandeur and prosperty. Kannauj then had a teeming population, with hundreds of Hindu and Buddhist temples and monasteries, extending along the east bank of the Ganges for about four miles. It had beautiful gardens and tanks, and was strongly fortified. Harshavardhana, however, was greatly weakened after being defeated by the Chalukya emperor Pulakesin II; his empire fell apart soon after his death.

By the end of the 8th century, Kannauj became the focus of a three-way contest by the three dominant dynasties of the time, the Pratiharas and Bargujar Kings of Kannauj, the Rashtrakutas of the Deccan, and the Palas of Bengal. The Pala king Dharmapala installed a proxy king at the end of the 8th century.

When the Pratihara king Nagabhata II conquered Kannauj in the 9th century Kannauj became the Pratihara capital for nearly 200 years. This happened about 836. During this period, it became known as a center for poetry. The Pratiharas ruled much of northern India in the latter half of the 8th century, but they had weakened by the early 10th century. The Rashtrakuta king Indra III captured Kannauj in 916, and by the end of that century, the Pratihara domains had been reduced to a small kingdom around the town of Kannauj.

In 1019, the town was sacked by Mahmud of Ghazni, beginning a chaotic period for the city.

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Sir H. M. Elliot Edited by John Dowson writes quoting the Yamini which says that, in his Twelfth Expedition A.H. 409 (1018-1019 AD) after passing by the borders of Kashmir, that is, close under the sub-Himalayan range, and crossing the Jumna, Mahmud of Ghazni takes Baran, which is the ancient name of the present Bulandshahr for which more modern authors, not knowing what " Baran" was, substitute "Mirat" — then Kulchand's fort, which is the Mahaban of the other — then crossing the Jumna he takes Mathura — and then recrossing the Jumna, he proceeds to Kanauj, and takes that and its seven detached forts, of which the ruins of some may still be traced. He then goes to Munj, " a city of Brahmans."

After this sacking of Kannauj, the area came to be dominated by the Chandela clan of Bundelkhand. The Gahadvala dynasty, descended from former vassals of the Pratiharas, established themselves as rulers of Kannauj at the end of the 11th century.

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Ram Sarup Joon writes that ...The Rathores were ruling Kathiawar, Gujrat and Jodhpur. They were called Rashtar Koot; the Hun Vansi Parmars succeeded in expelling them towards the East and South. They then established themselves in Kannauj and got converted to Rajputs. The Rathore, Rathi, Rath, Rashtra Kot and Rathore are the same people.

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Ram Sarup Joon writes that ...Abdul Malik Mashirmal, author of Gujar History writes that according to General Sir A Cunningham, the author of Gujar and Rajputs history, the rulers of Kanauj were Gujars (History of Gujars P-213 to 218). Their Gotra was Tomar and they are the Descendants of Hun Chief Torman.

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Kalachuri King Jajalladeva (I)'s friendship was sought by the lord of Chedi. He was also honoured with presents of wealth by the kings of Kanyakubja (कान्यकुब्ज) and Jejabhukti (जेजाभुक्ति). He defeated Sômësvara (सोमेश्वर) and imprisoned him together with his ministers and wives, but afterwards released them as desired by his mother. The kings of Kosala (कोसल), Andhra (आंध्र), Khimidi (खिमिडी), Vairagara (वैरागर), Lanjika (लान्जिका), Bhanara (भाणार), Talahari (तलहारी), Dandakapura (दण्डकपुर), Nandavalï (नन्दावली) and Kukkuta (कुक्कुट) paid annual tributes or presents to him. (p.410)

महोदय

विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर ने लेख किया है ...महोदय-1 (AS, p.730) = कान्यकुब्ज. 'पंचालाख्योस्ति विषयो मध्यदेशेमहोदयपुरं तत्र' (विष्णुधर्मोत्तर पुराण 1,20,2-3.) (दे. कान्यकुब्ज)

गाधिपुर

विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर ने लेख किया है ... गाधिपुर (AS, p.284) कान्यकुब्ज या कन्नौज का एक प्राचीन नाम है। 'सहेतमहेत' या प्राचीन श्रावस्ती के एक अभिलेख से सूचित होता है कि गाधिपुराधिप गोपाल के पुत्र मदन के सचिव विद्याधर ने 1118 ई. में श्रावस्ती में एक बौद्ध विहार का निर्माण कराया था। इससे सूचित होता है कि गाधिपुर नाम वास्तव में मध्य काल तक प्रचलित था। (दे.कान्यकुब्ज)

कुशस्थल

विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर ने लेख किया है ...1. कुशस्थल (AS, p.211) 'कान्यकुब्ज' (वर्तमान कन्नौज) का प्राचीन नाम है। इसका उल्लेख यात्री युवानच्वांग ने मौखरियों की राजधानी के रूप में किया है। हर्षचरित उच्छ्वास 6 में, राज्यवर्धन के गौड़ाधिपती द्वारा वध किए जाने पर गृहवर्मा, राज्यश्री के दिवंगत पति की राजधानी 'कुशस्थल' को गुप्त नामक राजा द्वारा लिए जाने का वर्णन है- ‘देव देवभूयं गते देवे राज्यवर्धनेगुप्तनाम्ना च गृहीते कुशस्थले, देवी राज्यश्री परिभृश्य बंधनार्द्विध्याटवीं सपरिवारा प्रविष्टेति...’।

कान्यकुब्ज

विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर ने लेख किया है ...

1. कान्यकुब्ज (p.163): कन्नौज (पूर्व जिला फरुखाबाद, उ.प्र.) कान्यकुब्ज की गणना भारत के प्राचीनतम ख्यातिप्राप्त नगरों में की जाती है. वाल्मीकि रामायण के अनुसार इस नगर का नामकरण कुशनाभ की कुब्जा कन्याओं के नाम पर हुआ था। पुराणों में कथा है कि पुरुरवा के कनिष्ठ पुत्र अमावसु ने कान्यकुब्ज राज्य की स्थापना की थी। कुशनाभ इन्हीं का वंशज था। कान्यकुब्ज का पहला नाम 'महोदय' बताया गया है। महोदय का उल्लेख विष्णुधर्मोत्तर पुराण में भी है- 'पंचालाख्योस्ति विषयो मध्यदेशेमहोदयपुरं तत्र' (विष्णुधर्मोत्तर पुराण 1,20,2-3.)

महाभारत में कान्यकुब्ज का विश्वामित्र के पिता राजा गाधि की राजधानी के रूप में उल्लेख है। उस समय कान्यकुब्ज की स्थिति दक्षिण पंचाल में रही होगी, किन्तु उसका अधिक महत्व नहीं था, क्योंकि दक्षिण-पंचाल की राजधानी कांपिल्य में थी। 'कन्यातीर्थेऽश्वतीर्थे च गवांतीर्थे च भारत, कालकोट्यां वृषपृस्थे गिरावुष्य च पांडवा:।' (वन पर्व महाभारत 95, 3)

दूसरी शती ई. पू. में कान्यकुब्ज का उल्लेख पंतजलि ने महाभाष्य में किया है। प्राचीन ग्रीक लेखकों की भी इस नगर के विषय में जानकारी थी। चंद्रगुप्त मौर्य और अशोक के शासन काल में यह नगर मौर्य साम्राज्य का अंग ज़रूर ही रहा होगा। इसके पश्चात् शुंग और कुषाण और गुप्त नरेशों का क्रमशः कान्यकुब्ज पर अधिकार रहा। 140 ई. के लगभग लिखे हुए टाल्मी के भूगोल में कन्नौज को कनगौर या कनोगिया लिखा गया है। 405 ई. में चीनी यात्री फाह्यान कन्नौज आया था और उसने यहाँ पर केवल दो हीनयान विहार और एक स्तूप देखा था, जिससे सूचित होता है कि 5वीं शती ई. तक यह नगर अधिक महत्त्वपूर्ण नहीं था।

कान्यकुब्ज के विशेष ऐश्वर्य का युग 7वीं शती से प्रारम्भ हुआ, जब महाराजा हर्षवर्धन ने इसको अपनी राजधानी बनाया। इससे पहले यहाँ मौखरि वंश की राजधानी थी। इस समय कान्यकुब्ज को 'कुशस्थल' भी कहते थे। हर्षचरित के अनुसार हर्ष के भाई राज्यवर्धन की मृत्यु के पश्चात् गुप्त नामक व्यक्ति ने कुशस्थल को छीन लिया था, जिसके परिणामस्वरूप हर्ष की बहिन राज्यश्री को विन्ध्याचल पर्वतमाला की ओर चला जाना पड़ा था। कुशस्थल में राज्यश्री के पति गृहवर्मा मौखरि की राजधानी थी।

[p.164]: चीनी यात्री युवानच्वांग के अनुसार कान्यकुब्ज प्रदेश की परिधि 400 ली या 670 मील थी। वास्तव में हर्षवर्धन (606-647 ई.) के समय में कान्यकुब्ज की अभूतपूर्व उन्नति हुई थी और उस समय शायद यह भारत का सबसे बड़ा एवं समृद्धशाली नगर था। युवानच्वांग लिखता है कि नगर के पश्चिमोत्तर में अशोक का बनवाया हुआ एक स्तूप था, जहाँ पर पूर्वकथा के अनुसार गौतम बुद्ध ने सात दिन ठहकर प्रवचन किया था। इस विशाल स्तूप के पास ही अन्य छोटे स्तूप भी थे, और एक विहार में बुद्ध का दाँत भी सुरक्षित था, जिसके दर्शन के लिए सैकड़ों यात्री आते थे। युवानच्वांग ने नगर के दक्षिणपूर्व में अशोक द्वारा निर्मित एक अन्य स्तूप का भी वर्णन किया है जो कि दो सौ फुट ऊँचा था। किंवदन्ती है कि गौतम बुद्ध इस स्थान पर छः मास तक ठहरे थे।

युवानच्वांग ने कान्यकुब्ज के सौ बौद्ध विहारों और दो सौ देव-मन्दिरों का उल्लेख किया है। वह लिखता है कि 'नगर लगभग पाँच मील लम्बा और डेढ़ मील चौड़ा है और चतुर्दिक सुरक्षित है। नगर के सौंन्दर्य और उसकी सम्पन्नता का अनुमान उसके विशाल प्रासादों, रमणीय उद्यानों, स्वच्छ जल से पूर्ण तड़ागों और सुदूर देशों से प्राप्त वस्तुओं से सजे हुए संग्रहालयों से किया जा सकता है'। उसके निवासियों की भद्र वेशभूषा, उनके सुन्दर रेशमी वस्त्र, उनका विद्या प्रेम तथा शास्त्रानुराग और कुलीन तथा धनवान कुटुम्बों की अपार संख्या, ये सभी बातें कन्नौज को तत्कालीन नगरों की रानी सिद्ध करने के लिए पर्याप्त थीं। युवानच्वांग ने नगर के देवालयों में महेश्वर शिव और सूर्य के मन्दिरों का भी ज़िक्र किया है। ये दोनों क़ीमती नीले पत्थर के बने थे और उनमें अनेक सुन्दर मूर्तियाँ उत्खनित थीं। युवानच्वांग के अनुसार कन्नौज के देवालय, बौद्ध विहारों के समान ही भव्य और विशाल थे। प्रत्येक देवालय में एक सहस्र व्यक्ति पूजा के लिए नियुक्त थे और मन्दिर दिन-रात नगाड़ों तथा संगीत के घोष से गूँजते रहते थे। युवानच्वांग ने कान्यकुब्ज के भद्रविहार नामक बौद्ध महाविद्यालय का भी उल्लेख किया है, जहाँ पर वह 635 ई. में तीन मास तक रहा था। यहीं रहकर उसने आर्य वीरसेन से बौद्ध ग्रंथों का अध्ययन किया था।

अपने उत्कर्ष काल में कान्यकुब्ज जनपद की सीमाएँ कितनी विस्तृत थीं, इसका अनुमान [Skandapurana|स्कन्दपुराण]] से और प्रबंधचिंतामणि के उस उल्लेख से होता है जिसमें इस प्रदेश के अंतर्गत छत्तीस लाख गाँव बताए गए हैं। शायद इसी काल में कान्यकुब्ज के कुलीन ब्राह्मणों की कई जातियाँ बंगाल में जाकर बसी थीं। आज के संभ्रांत बंगाली इन्हीं जातियों के वंशज बताए जाते हैं। हर्षवर्धन के पश्चात् कन्नौज का राज्य तत्कालीन अव्यवस्था के कारण छिन्न-भिन्न

[p.165]: हो गया। आठवीं शती में यशोवर्मन् कन्नौज का प्रतापी राजा हुआ। गौड़वहो नामक काव्य के अनुसार उसने मगध के गौड़ राजा को पराजित किया। कल्हण के अनुसार कश्मीर के प्रसिद्ध नरेश ललितादित्य मुक्तापीड़ ने यशोवर्मन के राज्य का मूलोच्छेद कर दिया ('समूलमुत्पाटयत्') और कान्यकुब्ज को जीतकर उसे ललितपुर (=लाटपौर) के सूर्यमन्दिर को अर्पित कर दिया। कल्हण लिखता है कि ललितादित्य का कान्यकुब्ज प्रदेश पर उसी प्रकार अधिकार था जैसे अपने राजप्रासाद के प्रांगण पर। राजतरंगिणी में, इस समय के कान्यकुब्ज के जनपद का विस्तार यमुना तट में कालिका नदी (=काली नदी) तक कहा गया है। यशोवर्मन के पश्चात् उसके कई वंशजों के नाम हमें जैन ग्रंथों तथा अन्य सूत्रों से ज्ञात होते हैं—इनमें वज्रायुध, इंद्रायुध और चक्रायुध नामक राजाओं ने यहाँ पर राज्य किया था। वज्रायुध का नाम केवल राजशेखर की कर्पूरमंजरी में है। जैन हरिवंश के अनुसार 783-784 ई. में इंद्रायुध कान्यकुब्ज में राज्य कर रहा था। कल्हण ने कश्मीर नरेश जयापीड विनयादित्य (राज्यकाल, 779-810 ई.) द्वारा कन्नौज पर आक्रमण का उल्लेख किया है।

इसके पश्चात् ही राष्ट्रकूट वंश के ध्रुव ने भी कन्नौज के इस राजा को पराजित किया। इन निरन्तर आक्रमणों से कन्नौज का राज्य नष्ट-भ्रष्ट हो गया। राष्ट्रकूटों की शक्ति क्षीण होने पर राजपूताना मालवा प्रदेश के प्रतिहार शासक [[ नागभट्ट द्वितीय ने चक्रायुध को हराकर कन्नौज पर अधिकार कर लिया। इस वंश में मिहिरभोज, महेन्द्र पाल और महिपाल प्रसिद्ध राजा हुए। इनके समय में कन्नौज के फिर से एक बार दिन फिरे। प्रतिहारकाल में कन्नौज हिन्दू धर्म का प्रमुख केन्द्र था। 8वीं शती से 10वीं शती तक हिन्दू देवताओं के अनेक कलापूर्ण मन्दिर बने, जिनके सैकड़ों अवशेष आज भी कन्नौज के आसपास विद्यमान हैं। इन मन्दिरों में विष्णु, शिव, सूर्य, गणेश, दुर्गा और महिषमर्दिनी की मूर्तियाँ हैं। कुछ समय पूर्व शिव-पार्वती परिणय की एक सुन्दर विशाल मूर्ति यहाँ से प्राप्त हुई थी, जो कि 8वीं शती की है।

बौद्ध धर्म का इस समय पूर्णतः ह्रास हो गया था। प्रतिहार वंश की अवनति के साथ ही साथ कन्नौज का गौरव भी लुप्त होने लगा। 10वीं शती के अन्त में राज्यपाल कन्नौज का शासक था। यह भी उस महासंघ का सदस्य था, जिसने सम्मिलित रूप से महमूद ग़ज़नवी से पेशावर और लमगान के युद्धों में लोहा लिया था। 1018 ई. में महमूद ने कन्नौज पर ही हमला कर दिया। मुसलमान नगर का वैभव देख कर चकित रह गए। अलउतबी के अनुसार राज्यपाल को किसी पड़ोसी राज्य से सहायता न प्राप्त हो सकी। उसके पास सेना थोड़ी-सी ही थी और इसी कारण वह नगर

[p.166]: छोड़कर गंगा पार बारी की ओर चला गया। मुसलमान सैनिकों ने नगर को लूटा, मन्दिरों को ध्वस्त किया और अनेक निर्दोष लोगों का संहार किया। अलबेरूनी लिखता है कि इस आक्रमण के पश्चात् यह विशाल नगर बिल्कुल उजड़ गया। 1019 ई. में महमूद ने दुबारा कन्नौज पर आक्रमण किया और त्रिलोचनपाल से लड़ाई ठानी। त्रिलोचनपाल 1027 ई. तक जीवित था। इस वर्ष का उसका एक दानपत्र प्रयाग के निकट पाया गया है। इसके पश्चात् प्रतिहारों का कन्नौज पर शासन समाप्त हो गया।

1085 ई. में फिर एक बार कन्नौज पर चन्द्रदेव गहड़वाल ने सुव्यवस्थित शासन स्थापित किया। उसके समय के अभिलेखों में उसे कुशिक (कन्नौज), काशी, उत्तर कोसल और इंद्रस्थान या इंद्रप्रस्थ का शासक कहा गया है। इस वंश का सबसे प्रतापी राजा गोविन्द चंद्र हुआ। उसने मुसलमानों के आक्रमणों को विफल किया जैसा कि उसके प्रशस्तिकारों ने लिखा है, 'हम्मीरं (=अमीर) न्यस्तवैरं मुहुरसमरणक्रीडया यो विधते'। गोविन्द चंद्र बड़ा दानी तथा विद्याप्रेमी था। उसकी रानी कुमारदेवी बौद्ध थी और उसने सारनाथ में धर्मचक्रजिनविहार बनवाया था। गोविन्द चंद्र का पुत्र विजय चंद्र था। उसने भी मुसलमानों के आक्रमण से मध्यदेश की रक्षा की जैसा की उसकी प्रशस्ति से सूचित होता है, 'भुवनदलहेलाहर्म्य हम्मीर (=अमीर) नारीनयनजलदधारा धौत भूकोकतापः'। विजयचंद्र का पुत्र जयचंद्र (जयचंद) 1170 ई. के लगभग कन्नौज की गद्दी पर बैठा। पृथ्वीराज रासो के अनुसार उसकी पुत्री संयोगिता का पृथ्वीराज चौहान ने हरण किया था। जयचंद का मुहम्मद ग़ोरी के साथ 1163 में, इटावा के निकट घोर युद्ध हुआ, जिसके पश्चात् कन्नौज से गहड़वाल सत्ता समाप्त हो गई। जयचंद ने इस युद्ध के पहले कई बार मुहम्मद ग़ौरी को बुरी तरह से हराया था, जैसा कि पुरुषपरीक्षा के, 'वारंवारं यवनेश्वरः पराजयी पलायते' और रंभामंजरीनाटक के 'निखिल यवन क्षयकरः' उल्लेखों से सूचित होता है। यह स्वाभाविक ही है कि मुसलमान इतिहास लेखकों ने ग़ौरी की पराजयों का वर्णन नहीं किया है, किन्तु उन्होंने जयचंद की उत्तरभारत के तत्कालीन श्रेष्ठ शासकों में गणना की है।

गहड़वालों की अवनति के पश्चात् कन्नौज पर मुसलमानों का आधिपत्य स्थापित हो गया, किन्तु इस प्रदेश में शासकों को निरन्तर विद्रोहों का सामना करना पड़ा। 1540 ई. में कन्नौज शेरशाह के हाथ में आ गया। उस समय यहाँ का हाक़िम बैरक नियाजी था, जिसके कठोर शासन के विषय में प्रसिद्ध था कि उसके लोगों के पास हल के अतिरिक्त लोहे की कोई दूसरी वस्तु नहीं छोड़ी थी। अकबर के

[p.167]: समय कन्नौज नगर आगरा के सूबे में आता था और इसे एक सरकार बना दिया गया था, जिसमें 30 महाल थे। जहाँगीर के समय में कन्नौज को रहीम को जागीर के रूप में दिया गया था। 18वीं शती में कन्नौज में बंगश नवाबों का अधिकार रहा, किन्तु अवध के नवाब और रुहेलों से उनकी सदा लड़ाई होती रही, जिसके कारण कन्नौज में बराबर अव्यवस्था बना रही। 1775 ई. में यह प्रदेश ईस्ट इण्डिया कम्पनी के अधिकार में चला गया। 1857 ई. के स्वतंत्रता युद्ध में बंगश-नवाबतफ़ज्जुल हुसैन ने यहाँ स्वतंत्रता की घोषणा की, किन्तु शीघ्र ही अंग्रेज़ों का यहाँ पुनः अधिकार हो गया। इस समय कन्नौज अपने आँचल में सैंकड़ों वर्षों का इतिहास समेटे हुए और कई बार उत्तरी भारत के विशाल राज्यों की राजधानी बनने की गौरवपूर्ण स्मृतियों को अपने अंतस् में संजोए एक छोटा-सा क़स्बा मात्र है।

साहित्य में कान्यकुब्ज के निम्न नाम उपलब्ध हैं- 'कन्यापुर' (वराहपुराण), 'महोदय', 'कुशिक', 'कोश', 'गाधिपुर', 'कुसुमपुर' (युवानच्वांग), 'कण्णकुज्ज' ([पाली) आदि.

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2. कान्यकुब्ज नदी (p.167): कान्यकुब्ज नदी का उल्लेख मल्लिनाथ ने रघुवंश 6,68 में उल्लिखित उरगाख्यपुर की टीका करते हुए कहा है-- 'उरगाख्यपुरस्य पांड्य देशे कान्यकुब्ज तीरवर्ति नागपुरस्य'. मल्लिनाथ के नागपुर का अभिज्ञान नेगाटम (आंध्र प्रदेश ) से किया गया है.

इतिहास

ठाकुर देशराज ने लिखा है .... पांचाल: [पृ.98]: बौद्ध काल में इनके दो दल हो गए थे। उत्तर पांचाल और दक्षिण पांचाल। दक्षिणी लोगों की राजधानी कन्नोज थी। उत्तरी लोगों की कांपिल्य। लोगों का अनुमान है कि बदायूं के आसपास उनका राज्य होगा। लेकिन हमारा अनुमान है कि कासगंज और अलीगढ़ के बीच में इनकी कम्पिलानगरी थी। पीछे के समय में फूल सिंह पांचाली जिसे साधारण बोलचाल में लोग पंजाबी कहते हैं।^* यहां का राजा था। निषद देश के राजा नल के बाप से इसी फूलसिंह ने इस बात पर युद्ध किया था कि जबकि गंगा मेरे राज्य में होकर बहती है तुमने हमारे घाट पर हमसे पहले स्नान कैसे कर लिया। राजा रानी

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* यूपी के जाटों में पंजाबी एक गोत्र भी है जो कि पांचाली का ही अपभ्रंश और समान अर्थी है।

Calinipaxa

Calinipaxa is a city in northern India described in ancient sources, and thought to be the modern Kanouge (Kannauj), on the Ganges. It was first made known to the West through the expeditions of Seleucus Nicator to India in 303 BCE.

"The other parts of the country (beyond the Hypasis or Beas River), the farthest extent of Alexander's conquests] were discovered & surveyed by Seleucus Nicator: namely

- from thence (the Hydaspes) to the Hesudrus 168 miles

- to the river Ioames as much: and some copies add 5 miles more therto

- from thence to Ganges 112 miles

- to Rhodapha 119, and some say, that between them two it is no less than 325 miles.

- From it to Calinipaxa, a great town 167 miles & a half, others say 265.

- And to the confluent of the rivers Iomanes and Ganges, where both meet together, 225 miles, and many put thereto 13 miles more

- from thence to the town Palibotta 425 miles

- and so to the mouth of Ganges where he falleth into the sea 638 miles."

Pliny the Elder, Natural history, Chap 21

Mention by Pliny

Pliny mentions 'The Nations of India.'....The remaining distances beyond the above point (Hypasis or Beas River) were ascertained on the expedition of Seleucus Nicator. They are, to the river Sydrus,²³ one hundred and sixty-eight miles; to the river Jomanes, the same; some copies, however, add to this last distance five miles; thence to the Ganges, one hundred and twelve miles; to Rhodapha, five hundred and sixty-nine—though, according to some writers, this last distance is only three hundred and twenty-five miles; to the town of Calinipaxa,²⁴ one hundred and sixty-seven, according to some, two hundred and sixty-five; thence to the confluence of the river Jomanes²⁵ and Ganges, six hundred and twenty-five; most writers, however, add thirteen miles to this last distance; thence to the city of Palibothra,²⁶ four hundred and twenty-five—and thence to the mouth of the Ganges, six hundred and thirty-seven miles and a half.

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23 It does not appear that this river has been identified. In most of the editions it is called Hesidrus; but, as Sillig observes, there was a town of India, near the Indus, called Sydros, which probably received its name from this river.

24 It has been suggested that this place is the modern Kanouge, on the Ganges.

25 The modern Jumna. It must be borne in mind by the reader, that the numbers given in this Chapter vary considerably in the different MSS.

26 See the next Chapter.

In Rajatarangini

Rajatarangini tellas abput the Movements of Sanjapala: ....The king Jayasimha whose efforts had been checked by Sujji and Chitraratha did not give orders to Sanjapala to enter the city ; but Mallarjjuna sent messengers to him. On this account Sanjapala got himself into a quarrel on the way with some leaders of the army, his body was marked with wounds, and he was deprived of his glory. Even, in this plight, Mallarjjuna could not bring him over to him, though he promised much wealth. Wise men therefore praised Sanjapala. certain feudatory chicf privately invited him through messengers out of courtesy, and Rilhana and he came there without delay. "If I am not killed yet, I shall be killed afterwards," thought the brave Sanjapala, as he entered the city by a road difficult of access, on account of enemies. He was respected by the kings of Kanyakubja and Gauda for his prowess, but he was grieved at not receiving good treatment in his own country. [VIII (i),p.181]

Visit by Fahian in 405 AD

James Legge writes that Fa-hien stayed at Sankisa, the Dragon vihara till after the summer retreat,¹ and then, travelling to the south-east for seven yojanas, he arrived at the city of Kanyakubja,² lying along the Ganges.³ There are two monasteries in it, the inmates of which are students of the hinayana. At a distance from the city of six or seven le, on the west, on the northern bank of the Ganges, is a place where Buddha preached the Law to his disciples. It has been handed down that his subjects of discourse were such as “The bitterness and vanity (of life) as impermanent and uncertain,” and that “The body is as a bubble or foam on the water.” At this spot a tope was erected, and still exists.

Having crossed the Ganges, and gone south for three yojanas, (the travellers) arrived at a village named A-le,⁴ containing places where Buddha preached the Law, where he sat, and where he walked, at all of which topes have been built.

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1 We are now, probably, in 405.

2 Canouge, the latitude and longitude of which have been given in a previous note. The Sanskrit name means “the city of humpbacked maidens;” with reference to the legend of the hundred daughters of king Brahma-datta, who were made deformed by the curse of the rishi Maha-vriksha, whose overtures they had refused. E. H., p. 51.

3 Ganga, explained by “Blessed water,” and “Come from heaven to earth.”

4 This village (the Chinese editions read “forest”) has hardly been clearly identified.

Visit by Xuanzang in 636 AD

Alexander Cunningham writes that From Sangkisa Hwen Thsang proceeded to Kanoj, a distance of 200 li, or 33 miles, in a north-west direction. As the positions of both places are well known, we must correct the bearing to south-east, and the distance to 300 li, or 50 miles. The latter correction is supported by Fa-Hian, who makes the distance 7 yojanas, or 49 miles. In the seventh century the kingdom is said to have been 4000 li, or 667 miles, in circuit. This estimate, as I have already observed, must certainly have included some of the petty districts to the north of the Ganges, as well as those in the Lower Gangetic Doab, otherwise the actual boundary of Kanoj proper would scarcely exceed 200 miles. Taking Hwen Thsang's estimate of 667 miles as approximately correct, the probable limits of the province of Kanoj must have included all the country between Khairabad and Tanda, on the Ghagra, and Etawa and Allahabad, on the Jumna, which would give a circuit of about 600 miles.

Of the great city of Kanoj, which for many hundred years was the Hindu capital of northern India, the existing remains are few and unimportant. In A.D. 1016, when Mahmud of Ghazni approached Kanoj, the historian relates that "he there saw a city which raised its head to the skies, and which in strength and structure might justly boast to have no equal." Just one century earlier, or in A.D. 915, Kanoj is mentioned by Masudi as the capital of one of the kings of India ; and about A.D. 900 Abu Zaid, on the authority of Ibn Wahab, calls " Kaduje a great city in the king-

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[p.377]: dom of Gozar." At a still earlier date, in A.D. 634, we have the account of the Chinese pilgrim Hwen Thsang, who describes Kanoj as being 20 li, or 3½ miles, in length, and 4 or 5 li, or 3/4 of a mile in breadth. The city was surrounded by strong walls and deep ditches, and was washed by the Ganges along its eastern face. The last fact is corroborated by Fa-Hian, who states that the city touched the river Heng, or Ganges, when he visited it in A.D. 400. Kanoj is also mentioned by Ptolemy, about A.D. 140, as KανoΎίξα. But the earliest notice of the place is undoubtedly the old familiar legend of the Puranas, which refers the Sanskrit name of Kanyakubja, or the "hump-backed maiden," to the curse of the sage Vayu on the hundred daughters of Kusanaba.

At the time of Hwen Thsang's visit, Kanoj was the capital of Raja Harsha Vardhana, the most powerful sovereign in Northern India. The Chinese pilgrim calls him a Fei-she, or Vaisya, but it seems probable that he must have mistaken the Vaisa, or Bais Rajput for the Vaisya, or Bais, which is the name of the mercantile class of the Hindus ; otherwise Harsha Vardhana's connection by marriage with the Rajput families of Malwa and Balabhi would have been quite impossible. Baiswara, the country of the Bais Rajputs, extends from the neighbourhood of Lucknow to Khara-Manikpur, and thus comprises nearly the whole of Southern Oudh. The Bais Rajputs claim descent from the famous Salivahan, whose capital is said to have been Daundia-Khera, on the north bank of the Ganges. Their close proximity to Kanoj is in favour of the sovereignty which they claim for their ancestors

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[p.378]: over the whole of the Gangetic Doab, from Delhi to Allahabad. But their genealogical lists are too imperfect, and most probably also too incorrect, to enable us to identify any of their recorded ancestors with the princes of Harsha Vardhana's family.

In determining the period of Harsha's reign between the years607 and 650 A.D., I have been guided by the following evidence : —

1 st, the date of his death is fixed by the positive statement of Hwen Thsang in the year 650 A.D. ;

2nd, in speaking of Harsha's career, the pilgrim records that from the time of his accession, Harsha was engaged in continual war for 5½ years, and that afterwards for about 30 years he reigned in peace. This statement is repeated by Hwen Thsang when on his return to China, on the authority of the king himself, who informed him that he had then reigned for upioards of 30 years, and that the quinquennial assembly then collected was the sixth which he had convoked. From these different statements, it is certain that at the date of Hwen Thsang's return to China, in A.D. 640, Harsha had reigned upwards of 30 years, and somewhat less than 35 years; his accession must, therefore, be placed between A.D. 605 and 610;

3rd, now, in the middle of this very period, in A.D. 607, as we learn from Abu Rihan, was established the Sri Harsha era, which was still prevalent in Mathura and Kauoj in the beginning of the eleventh century. Considering the exact

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[p.379]: agreement of the names and dates, it is impossible to avoid coming to the conclusion that the Harsha who established an era in Kanoj in A.D. 607 was the great King Harsha Vardhana, who reigned at Kanoj during the first half of the seventh century.

In comparing Hwen Thsang's description of ancient Kanoj with the existing remains of the city, I am obliged to confess with regret that I have not been able to identify even one solitary site with any certainty ; so completely has almost every trace of Hindu occupation been obliterated by the Musalmans. According to the traditions of the people, the ancient city extended from the shrine of Haji Harmayan on the north, near the Raj Ghat, to the neighbourhood of Miranka Sarai on the south, a distance of exactly 3 miles. Towards the west it is said to have reached to Kapatya and Makarandnagar, two villages on the high-road, about 3 miles from Haji Harmayan. On the east the boundary was the old bed of the Ganges, or Chhota Ganga as the people call it, although it is recorded in our maps as the Kali Nadi. Their account is that the Kali, or Kalindri Nadi, formerly joined the Ganges near Sangirampur or Sangrampur ; but that several hundred years ago the great river took a more northerly course from that point, while the waters of the Kali Nadi continued to flow down the deserted channel. As an open channel still exists between Sangrampur and the Kali Nadi, I am satisfied that the popular account is correct, and that the stream which flows under Kanoj, from Sangrampur to Mhendi Ghat, although now chiefly filled with the waters of the Kali Nadi, was originally the main channel of the Ganges. The accounts of Fa-Hian and Hwen Thsang, who place Kanoj on the

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[p.380]: Ganges, are therefore confirmed, not only by the traditions of the people, but also by the fact that the old channel still exists under the name of the Chota Ganga or Little Ganges.

The modern town of Kanoj occupies only the north end of the site of the old city, including the whole of what is now called the Kilah, or citadel. The boundaries are well defined by the shrine of Haji-Harmayan on the north, the tomb of Taj-Baj on the south-west, and the Masjid and tomb of Makhdum-Jahaniya on the south-east. The houses are much scattered, especially inside the citadel, so that though the city still covers nearly one square mile, yet the population barely exceeds 16,000 in number. The citadel, which occupies all the highest ground, is triangular in shape, its northern point being the shrine Haji-Harmayan, its south-west point the temple of Ajay Pal and its south-cast point the large bastion called Kshem Kali Burj. Each of the faces is about 4000 feet in length, that to the north-west being protected by the bed of the nameless dry Nala, that to the north-east by the Chota Ganga while that to the south must have been Covered by a ditch, which is now one of the main roads of the city, running along the foot of the mound from the bridge below Ajay Pal's temple to the Kshem Kali bastion. On the north-east face the mound rises to 60 and 70 feet in height above the low ground on the bank of the river, and towards the Nala on the north-west it still maintains a height of from 40 to feet. On the southern side, however, it is not more than 30 feet immediately below the temple of Ajay Pl, but it increases to 40 feet below the tomb of Bala Pir. The situation is a commanding one, and

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[p.381]: before the use of cannon the height alone must have made Kanoj a strong and important position. The people point out the sites of two gates, the first to the north, near the shrine of Haji Harmayan and the second to the south-east, close to the Kshem Kali Burj. But as both of these gates lead to the river, it is certain that there must have been a third gate on the land side towards the south-west, and the most probable position seems to be immediately under the walls of the Rang Mahal, and close to the temple of Ajay Pal.

According to tradition, the ancient city contained 84 wards or Mahalas, of which 25 are still existing within the limits of the present town. If we take the area of these 25 wards at three-quarters of a square mile, the 84 wards of the ancient city would have covered just 2½ square miles. Now, this is the very size that is assigned to the old city by Hwen Thsang, who makes its length 20 li, or 3½ miles, and its breadth 4 or 5 li, or just three-quarters of a mile, which multiplied together give just 2½ square miles. Almost the same limits may be determined from the sites of the existing ruins, which are also the chief find-spots of the old coins with which Kanoj abounds. According to the dealers, the old coins are found at Bala Pir and Rang Mahal, inside the fort ; at Makhduum-Jahaniya, to the south-east of the fort ; or Makarandnagar on the high-road ; and intermediately at the small villages of Singh Bhawani and Kutlupur. The only other productive site is said to be Rajgir, an ancient mound covered with brick ruins on the bank of the Chota Ganga, three miles to the south-east of Kanoj. Taking all these evidences into consideration, it appears to me almost

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[p.382]: certain that the ancient city of Hwen Thsang's time must have extended from Haji-Harmayan and the Kshem-Kali Burj, on the bank of the Ganges (now the Chota Ganga), in a south-west direction, to Makarandnagar, on the Grand Trunk Road, a length of just three miles, with a general breadth of about one mile or somewhat less. Within these limits are found all the ruins that still exist to point out the position of the once famous city of Kanoj.

Jat history

According to the historical records Rao Mutia Kamas of Dahiya Kshatriya clan came from Kannauj in samvat 905 (848 AD) and constructed a fort in Nagaur city in Rajasthan. Lakhan Rao, Ballu Rao, Joon Rao and Pipa Rao ruled here for about 200 years. Rao Pipaji married with Deyoo Jakhar the daughter of Maihan Raja. Their sons were Sahajarao, Rajdeo, Mandeo, and Gangdeo. The descendants of Sahajarao were known as Ranwa, those of Rajdeo were known as Roja. The descendants of Mandeo were known as Mandiwal and those of Gangdeo were known as Gugal Jats.

हरियाणा सर्वखाप पंचायत

महाराजा हर्षवर्धन ने सन 643 में जाट क्षत्रियों को एकजुट करने के लिए कन्नौज शहर में विशाल सम्मलेन कराया था वह सर्वखाप पंचायत ही थी जिसका नाम 'हरियाणा सर्वखाप पंचायत' रखा गया था चूँकि उन दिनों विशाल हरियाणा उत्तर में सतलज नदी तक, पूर्व में देहरादून, बरेली, मैनपुरी तथा तराई एरिया तक, दक्षिण में चम्बल नदी तक और पश्चिम में गंगानगर तक फैला हुआ था. सर्वखाप के चार केंद्र थानेसर, दिल्ली, रोहतक और कन्नौज बनाये गए थे. इस सर्वखाप पंचायत में करीब 300 छोटी-बड़ी पालें, खाप और संगठन शामिल थे. सन 1924 में बैसाखी अमावस्या को सोरम गाँव में सर्वखाप की पंचायत हुई थी जिसमें सोरम के चौधरी कबूल सिंह को सर्वखाप पंचायत का सर्वसम्मति से महामंत्री नियुक्त किया था. वे इस संगठन के 28 वें महामंत्री बताये जाते हैं. इनके पास सम्राट हर्षवर्धन से लेकर स्वाधीन भारत तक का सर्वखाप पंचायत का सम्पूर्ण रिकार्ड उपलब्ध है जिसकी सुरक्षा करना पंचायती पहरेदारों की जिम्मेदारी है. इस रिकार्ड को बचाए रखने के लिए पंचायती सेना ने बड़ा खून बहाया है.

Villages in Kanauj Sub Division

Ahamadpur Rauni, Ali Nager, Anaugi, Anti, Atara Nishf Tirwa, Bahadurpur Ujaina, Baisabari, Baishapurpatti, Balarpur, Balidadpur, Banpur Rudauli Narayanpur, Baramau Banger, Barauli, Barkagawn Kannauj, Basheerapur Bhat, Behrin, Bhanpur, Bhanwar Garh, Bharhar, Bhawanipur Partap, Biland Pur, Bisandhua, Chachasanda, Chandapur Bangar, Chaudhariyapur Bangar, Chaura Chandpur Bangar, Daipur, Dedaura Khurd, Farikapur, Fatehpur, Feerojpur Teran, Gagemau, Gangdharapur, Garhiya Kachpura, Gauriapur, Ghamaichmau, Gowa, Gugrapur Banger, Gukhroo, Gusaidaspur, Gyanpur, Haibatpurkatra, Ibrahimpur Bangar, Ismailpur Digan, Jahlepur Banger, Jalalabad, Jalalpur Panchama, Jalalpur Sarwan, Jaleshar Alipur, Jarauli, Jasaura, Jaspurapur Saraia, Jewan, Juned Pur, Kaklapur, Kannauj Kachhoha, Khudlapur, Khurram Pur, Koolapur, Kusumkhor Banger, Lohamarh, Mabai Rihayak, Machhan, Mahchandpur, Mahmudpur Painth, Majh Purwa, Malikapur, Manimau, Mansaramau, Matouli, Mehandi Pur, Mirgawan, Mirjapur, Miya Ganj, Mochipur, Mohammadpur Beeja, Mohanpur Ratanpur, Muraiya Bujurg, Nandsia, Nasrapur, Nazarapur, Nera, Pachore, Paibandabad, Paraspur, Radouli, Raigawan, Rajaimau Raja, Rajupur, Rampur Muderi Kasimpur Husain, Rampur Muderi Raja, Rampurmajara Gangdhrapur, Riapurchandai, Ritukala, Safipur Jubti, Sahillapur, Sahjapur, Saidaha, Saidpur Sakri, Sakari Khurd, Sakrahni, Salempur Tara Bangar, Sariapurbanger, Sarontop, Satoura, Saunshari, Sausarpur, Shehpur, Siyarmau, Tahsipur Kannuaj, Tera Malloo, Teraragi, Tikhwa, Tilpai Digsara, Tirhiapur, Udaitapur, Vachharjapur,

External Links

• Kannauj at Flickr

• Kannauj at Wikipedia

• कन्नौज - भारतकोश, ज्ञान का हिन्दी महासागर

References

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