Kannauj district General information
Kannauj District is an administrative district of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India, along the river Ganga, or Ganges. The historic town of Kannauj, northwest of Kanpur, is the administrative center.
Origin of Name
Kannauj the place of Historical significance was separated from the District Farrukhabad and came in to light as a new district of uttar pradesh province on 18/09/1997. The district is situated in Kanpur Division
The district is situated in Kanpur Division its North borders touches Farrukhabad District, at it's east Hardoi District is situated, Kanpur dehat is at its south east border while western and southern borders touches District Mainpuri and Etawah respectively whole district is divided in to three tehsils and seven development blocks. It is almost rectangular shaped district.
History
Kannauj is one among the most ancient place of India having rich archeological and cultural heritage, The ancient name of this place is Kanyakubja or Mahodya (as per Balmiki Ramayana, Mahabharat and Puran) later name kanyakubja was changed as Kannauj the present name of the District.
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 Kanyakubja (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.
Geography
Kannauj district from geographical point of view its studded in between 27 degree 13 min 30 sec North latitude and from 79 deg 19 min to 80 degree 1 min east longitudes.
Location
The district is situated in Kanpur Division its North borders touches Farrukhabad District, at it's east Hardoi District is situated, Kanpur dehat is at its south east border while western and southern borders touches District Mainpuri and Etawah respectively whole district is divided in to three tehsils and seven development blocks. It is almost rectangular shaped district.
Rivers
Ganga is the main river of the district at the North East border of the district, Kali and Ishan rivers are in other parts of the District. Kali rivers at the northern border of the district while Ishan flows in between the District. Average rain fall of the District is approximately 80cm.
Climate
The climate of the district is characterized by a hot dry summer and a pleasant cold season.
Industry
Kannauj district is famous for essence, flavour, fragrance and perfume industry although the bidi industry is also here and it is supposed that this district is the largest bidi supplier in Uttar Pradesh. The essence flavour and fragrance of Kannauj district are famous internationally.
Fragrance & Flavour Development Centre ( FFDC) has been setup in year 1991 by Govt. Of India, with the assistance of UNDP/UNIDO and Govt. Of U.P. UNDP/UNIDO is providing technical expertise and imported equipments.Govt of U.P. is providing land building and infrastructure, while Govt. Of India is contributing for the recurring, non-recurring and indigenous equipments.
FFDC aims to serve as an interface between essential oil, fragrance and flavour industry and the R & D institutions both in the field of agro-technology and chemical technology. Main objective of the centre is to serve, sustain and upgrade the status of farmers and industry engaged in the aromatic cultivation and its processing, so as to make them competitive both in local & global market
Tourist Place
ARCHEOLOGY MUSEUM
Archaeological museum of Kannauj have vast variety of clayey idols which proves that at ancient time Kannauj was famous for art and culture like Mathura, Kashi and Kaushambi. Right from Maurya age it was a fully developed locality. The clay models found here shows that it was a very progressive district of ancient time, even Historical Chinese visitor Hwenswang praised this district during his visit to India.
As per types of these antiquity idols we can categorized them into following categories.
a. Very Ancient Age
b. Maurya Age (325 BC)
c. Shudag Age (184 BC)
d. Kushar Age (100 AD)
e. Gupta Age (319 AD to 450 AD)
f. Post Gupta Age (450 to 650 AD)
g. Harsh Age
Lakh Bahosi Bird Sanctuary
The nature has gifted Kannauj by a beautiful lakh Bahosi Bird sanctuary. In this sanctuary Bird watching can be done from month of November to March. In month of December January and February it shows its maximum potential. Because during this season one can see maximum type of Birds over here at the Bahosi lake of 3 sq.km.area. As per survey a total of 97 Bird families are available in India while Birds related with 49 families has been seen at lakh Bhosi bird sanctuary.
Gauri Shankar Temple,Kannauj City.
Annapurna Temple,Tirwa,Kannauj.