Overview of the Chandauli District

The District Chandauli is located in 24° 56′ to 25° 35′ to north and 81° 14′ to 84° 24′ east at a distance of about 30 kms east-south-east of Varanasi. Chandauli is bounded on east by Bihar State, on the north-north-east of Ghazipur District, South of Sonebhadra District, South-east of Bihar and South-West Mirzapur. Karmanasa river is the dividing line from Bihar State.

History

For the administrative purpose, the district Chandauli was constituted in the year 1997 from the district Varanasi. The district is situated in the eastern and southern side of holy river Ganga.  The district is named after its tahsil headquarters name. The region covered by the present district was part of the ancient kingdom of kashi. Apart from the numerous legends connected with this district, valuable evidence of antiquity has been found here and the remains of brick strewn mounds are spread all over the district.

The history of the district for the most part is unknown. There are some deserted sites, tanks and kund seen in tahsils of the district and they carry vague legends. One of the ancient site of the district, ”Baluwa” is situated about 21 km. to the southern part of tahsil sakaldiha at the banks of river Ganga where Ganga flows from east to west direction. A religious fair for Hindus takes place every year in the month of magha (January) which is known as “Pachchim vahini Mela” it is said that the Ganga flows east to west direction only at two places in the country first in Allahabad and second one at Baluwa.

Village Ramgarh of tahsil sakaldiha, known as birth place of great Aghoreshwari saint shree Kinaram Baba is just 6 km. away from Chahniya. He was a great follower of Vaishnav faith and also Shiva and Shakta faith, and believed in god power. He devoted his entire life for the services of mankind. This place has become holy place for Hinduism.

In one of the ancient sites in the village Hetampur of the district, there is a fort which is known as “Fort of Hetam” which is situated about 22 km. to the north east from the district headquarters. The ruins of this fort are spread over on 22 bigas in area. It is said that this fort was designed and constructed between 14th to 15th  centuries by Todar Mal Khatri who was the construction supervisor in the kingdom of Sher Shah Suri. After Mughal period, Hetam Khan, Talukedar and Jagirdar captured this fort. There are five famous ruined kot, known as Bhulaini Kot, Bhitari Kot, Bichali Kot, Uttrai Kot and Dakchhani Kot, which attract the visitors. Some says that it was constructed by Hetam himself.

Being the part of Kashi Kingdom , the history of the Chandauli district is the same as of Kashi Kingdom and of Varanasi district. Before the birth of lord Buddha, in 6th centaury B.C., Bharatvarsha was divided into sixteen Mahajanpadas, Kashi was one of them and its capital was Varanasi. Modern Banaras with its surroundings region was called as Kashi Mahajanpad. Varanasi city is one of the ancient cities of India, as well as among the ancient towns of the world. It is a centre of learning since long back. It’s name comes in Puranas, Mahabharata and Ramayana. It is a centre of learning since long back. it is a sacred place of Hindu as well as Buddhist and Jain also. The name of Kashi came to be known after name of king Kashi the seventh king of this dynasty. After the seventh generation a famous King Dhanwantri, ruled over this region, whose name is famous in the field of medicine as founder of Ayurveda.

Kashi kingdom was, however, dominated by Brahmadutta dynasty of Magadh during the century preceding the Mahabharata war but past Mahabharata period saw the rise of Brahmadutta dynasty. About hundred kings of this generation are said to have had their supremacy over this region, some of these rulers become the Chakravarty Samrat. King Manoj of Kashi brought the kingdom of Kaushala, Anga and Magadh in his possession and annexed their territories to his empire. In the Jain scriptures, a king of Kashi named Ashwasewa was the father of 23rd Tirthankar Parshvanath.

In, 1775 Kashi Kingdom had come under the influence of British Empire. The last king of this generation was Bibhuti Narayan Singh who ruled for about eight years till the emergence of independence, Banaras state was merged with India.

Geography

On the basis of geology, soils, topology, climate and natural vegetation the district Chandauli is subdivided in the following regions:

• Chakia Plateau
• Chandauli Plain
• Ganga Khadar

Chakia Plateau:

The region is comprised of southern part of Chakia tahsil. The 100 meter contour separates the region from Chandauli Plain. It is hilly tract with dissected surface. There is a zone of scarpment in the center part which is further converted into spur towards north. The Vindhyan Range extends upto this region. The maximum height is represented by 300 m (1000’) contour which runs in the south eastern part. Variation in surface height is more in central part where as southern part is a flat table land. The general slope pattern are also found. The height decreases towards north. The rivers originate from south and drains towards north through sharp bends and lofty waterfalls. Deodari waterfall on Chandraprabha is a beautiful picnic spot. In the northern part of this zone, soil erosion along the river course is common physical feature. Bhainsora reservoir on a rivulet of Karamanasha has been constructed for irrigation and power generation. Since it is a hilly tract large part of the region is covered with forest and the area left for agricultural pursuit is very much restricted. The northern part nearby to Chakia is relatively plain and irrigated by canals. This small patch is suitable for agriculture. Paddy is the main crop which is cultivated here. Geologically the region belongs to upper protorozoic period.

Chandauli Plain:

The region comprises parts of Chandauli, Sakaldiha and Chakia Tahsil. The area under Chandauli tahsil is comparatively low which causes water logging during rainy season. Surface is plain least physically variation. Major part of the region is devoid of streams. The Chandraprabha and the Karamanasha rivers drain towards north east direction through the southern part .Garai is a small rivulet of Chandraprabha .Soil erosion along the drainage course of the above rivers are an important physical feature. The general slope is towards north but there are variations at local level. The central part is relatively higher, Geologically the region is composed of Alluvium and dun gravels. The presences of large number of canals indicate its agricultural prosperity. The level surface, alluvial soil further provide impetus to agricultural pursuits. The physical conditions or suitable for the development of transport but the Ganga is a barrier in this aspect. The links with other areas are well developed.

Ganga khaddar:

It is narrow belt along the Ganga river extending from one end of the district to the other end. Surface is low lying and subject to inundation during flood. Approach of flood water delimits the boundary of this region. The Ganga is main river which flows in the northern and western part. Natural levee, dead arms of the river and sand bars the name physical features along theGanga river. Geologically the region is composed of alluvium and dun gravels or recent period. Agriculture is limited to Rabi crops only. However thin layer of new alluvium increase the agricultural productivity.

Demography

According to the 2011 census Chandauli district has a population of 1952756. The district has a population density of 769 inhabitants per square kilometre. Chandauli district has a sex ratio of 918 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 60.2%.

Population Census - 2011

• Total – 1952756
• Male – 1017905
• Female – 934851
• Density – 769/Square Km
• Sex Ratio(F/M) – 918/1000
• Literacy Rate – 60.2%
• Scheduled Castes – 446786
• Scheduled Tribes – 41725

Source : Chandauli district website