History of Varanasi

2011-10-13T12:32:00.001-07:00

History of Varanasi

The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Often referred to as Benares, Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world. These few lines by Mark Twain say it all: "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together". Hindus believe that one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth. Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the origins of Varanasi are yet unknown. Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals.

Ganges is said to have its origins in the tresses of Lord Shiva and in Varanasi, it expands to the mighty river that we know of. The city is a center of learning and civilization for over 3000 years. With Sarnath, the place where Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment, just 10 km away, Varanasi has been a symbol of Hindu renaissance. Knowledge, philosophy, culture, devotion to Gods, Indian arts and crafts have all flourished here for centuries. Also a pilgrimage place for Jains, Varanasi is believed to be the birthplace of Parsvanath, the twenty-third Tirthankar.

Vaishnavism and Shaivism have co-existed in Varanasi harmoniously. With a number of temples, Mrs. Annie Besant chose Varanasi as the home for her 'Theosophical Society' and Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, to institute 'Benares Hindu University, the biggest University in Asia. Ayurveda is said to be originated at Varanasi and is believed to be the basis of modern medical sciences such as Plastic surgery, Cataract and Calculus operations. Maharshi Patanjali, the preceptor of Ayurveda and Yoga, was also affiliated with Varanasi, the holy city. Varanasi is also famous for its trade and commerce, especially for the finest silks and gold and silver brocades, since the early days.

Varanasi has also been a great center of learning for ages. Varanasi is associated with promotion of spiritualism, mysticism, Sanskrit, yoga and Hindi language and honored authors such as the ever-famous novelist Prem Chand and Tulsi Das, the famous saint-poet who wrote Ram Charit Manas. Aptly called as the cultural capital of India, Varanasi has provided the right platform for all cultural activities to flourish. Many exponents of dance and music have come from Varanasi. Ravi Shankar, the internationally renowned Sitar maestro and Ustad Bismillah Khan, (the famous Shehnai player) are all sons of the blessed city or have lived here for major part of their lives

Important Dates in History of Varanasi

BCE/B.C.

9th cent : First layer of excavation at Rajghat. Till 9th cent. Kashi was an independent estate.
8th cent : Birth of Parshavanath, the 23 Jaina Tirthakara.
528 : First sermon of the Buddha at Sarnath, "Turning the wheel of Law.
5th cent : Sanskrit Grammarian Panini composed the Asthadhayi
240 : Great king Ashoka visit

CE/A.D

2nd cent : King Bharashiva of Naga dynasty performed ten horse sacrifies at Dashashvamedha Ghat
3rd cent : Establishment of Sarnath
4th cent : Samudragupta performed horse sacrifies at Dashashvamedha Ghat.
405 : Fa-Hein (Chinese pilgrim) visit
490 : Building of the Vishvanath Temple
6th cent: Opening of Jangambadi Math
635 : Hsuan-tsang (Chinese pilgrim) visit
8th cent : Building of tilabhandeshwara temple by Shankaracharya
1133 : City plundered by Ahmed Nialtgin.
1114-54 : The reugn of Gahadavala King Govindacandra.
1194-97 :Vishvanath Temple and Vishnu Temple demolished by Qutb-uddin Aibak
1248 : Invasion by Muhammad Ghori, Shibah-uddin
13th : One thousand temples demolished by Alauddin Khilzi
1375 : Many temples demolished by Firoz-shah Tughlaq
1479-1531 : Vallabhacharya (A great saint of Krishna devotion) lived here.
1485-1533 : Chaitnya (A great saint of Krishna devotion) lived here.
1494 : The City invaded by Sikandar Lodi.
1529 : The city invaded by Mughal king Babur.
1532 : The city was visited by Mughal King Humanyu.
1532 - 1623 : Tulsi Das ( Great poet of hindi) lived here and composed his works.
1538 : Humanyu took shelter at Sarnath.
1567 : Emperor Akbar partly plundered the city, defeated Jaychandra and king of kashi.
1588-89 : As order by king Akbar, Chaukhandi Stupa (Sarnath) was Construceted by Gobardhan.
1623 : Plague in the kashi, Tulshi Das died. Cakrapuskarini (Manikarnika) kunda was built.
1632 : Demolition of temples by Haidar Begh, as ordered by Emperor shahjahan.
1669 : Vishvanath temple demolished, as ordered by Emperor Aurangazeb and converted into mosque.
1673 : Vindu Madhava temple,Pancaganga Ghat demolished, as ordered by Emperor Aurangazeb and converted into mosque.
1725 : Establishment of Kashi by Manasa Ram and Annapurna Temple built by Baji Rao Peshva- I.
1750 - 1752 : Ramnagar Fort was made.
1764 : East India Company control over the city.
1777 : Vishvanath Temple was made by Ahilyabai, queen of Indore.
1791 - 1794 : Foundation of Sanskrit College.
1814 : Gurudham temple was made by Jayanarayan Ghosal, king of Bengal.
1818 : Maharani Lakshmibai was born in Peshava Bhavan, Assi.
1825 : Kaal Bhairava temple was built by Baji Rao Peshva-II. 1827 : Mirza Ghalib ( Persian poet) visit and stay in city.
1839 : Vishvanath temple was gilded by king of Kashmir, Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
1841 : Samarajeshvara Shive temple, Lalita ghar was built.
1862 : Railway line was built between Varanasi and Mughalsarai.
1875 - 1876 : Town Hall, Maidagin was built.
1882 : Establishment of Nagiri Pracharini Sabha.
1887 : Malviya Bridge, Rajghat ( Rail cum road) on Ganga river was built.
1898 : Establishment of Central Hindu School, by Mrs. Anne Basant.
1912 : Sarnath, Archaeological Site Museum was opened.
1915 : Darbhanga Ghat was built by Rameshwar Singh (King of Bihar).
1916 : Establishment of Banaras Hindu University.
1928 : Establishment of first theatre at Bansphatak.
15-01-1934 : Earthquake at 2:30 PM.
1936 : Establishment of Bharat Mata Temple, Vidhyapeeth.
15-08-1947 : India became independent.
1948 : Flood disaster.
1958 : Sanskrit College converted into University.
1966 : Establishment of Tulsi Manas temple.
1967 : Foundation of Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath.
1976 : Foundation of Thai temple, Sarnath.
1978 : Flood disaster.
1988 : Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath declared as a deemed university.
1991 : Establishment of Dharma-Cakra Indo-Japanese Society's temple.
1992 : U.P. College declared an autonomous institution.
25th Dec 2000: king of Varanasi Dr. Bhivuti Narayan Singh died.
07-03-2006 : Serial bomb blast in sankat mochan temple, railways station, gaudauliya. 200 killed.
23 Nov, 2007: Bomb blast in Varanasi Court, nine killed and 45 injured
Jan 2009: Dalai Lala visit (Tibtian Dharma Guru)
10-02-2009: Establishment of Tridev Temple by Rani Sati Trust
07-12-2010:Bomb blast in Varanasi at Shitala Ghat at 7:35 PM. One dead and 35 injured.

Kashi Darshan

History of Varanasi

History of Varanasi