Jhusi | |
---|---|
city | |
Location in Uttar Pradesh, India | |
Coordinates: 25°26′N 81°56′E / 25.43°N 81.93°ECoordinates: 25°26′N 81°56′E / 25.43°N 81.93°E | |
Country | India |
State | Uttar Pradesh |
District | Allahabad |
Elevation | 76 m (249 ft) |
Population (2011) | |
• Total | 33,901 |
Languages | |
• Official | Hindi |
Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
Postal Code | 211019 |
Jhusi or Jhunsi is a town and a nagar panchayat in Allahabad district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It was formerly called Andhernagri and Pratishthan Pur or Puri.
Jhusi has an average elevation of 76 metres (249 ft). It is the biggest town area in Allahabad district.
As of 2011[update] India census, Jhusi had a population of 33,901 including the population of Jhusi nagar panchayat and Jhusi Kohna 13,878 and 20,023 respectively.
Recently an archeological site near the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers yielded a C14 dating of 7100 BC for its Neolithic levels. Historically, Jhusi was known as Prathisthanpuram. It was burnt down by foreign invaders around the 13-14th century and then came to be known as Jhulsi (Hindi word meaning burnt); the 'l' went missing as years passed on, giving rise to the current name.
Once belonging to the rulers of Mauryan, Shunga, Kushana and Gupta period, the ancient Pratisthana has lost its identity to the modernity of Jhusi. The only evidence related to this historical fact is still visible in the shape of high mounds in Jhusi. Surprisingly, these high mounds have further added to the significance of the city as the articles excavated from here belong to the sixth century BC and antiquities belonging to five cultural phases ranging from chalcolithic to early medieval period have been found here. As per the historians and the pre NBP ware deposit the site of Kumbh Mela is marked at this place as the earliest culture represented at the site. Early layer of this deposit has yielded iron objects. Some pottery items and antiquities are similar to those found at different chalcolithic sites in UP, Bihar and Northern Vindhyas. From the pre-NBP Ware period to the Gupta period there had been continuous settlement at the site. However, there appears to be a cultural gap between the end of Gupta period and the beginning of early medieval period. "There is every likelihood that the site may show up no gap at all when excavated extensively. This possibility is based on the strategic location of the site itself which, by virtue of the same reason, would have never been abandoned after having been once occupied. The excavations in the area only hint at the above fact. The ruins of ancient Pratishthana which are represented by the high mounds of Jhunsi on the eastern bank of Ganges are spread over an area of about four square miles. Pratishthana was the most important locality of Prayag and it was founded by king Ila and was the capital of Pururavas and other kings of Lunar dynasty Kalidasa too mentions about Pratishthana in his drama Vikramor-vasiyam. He has given an imaginary account of this palace of Pururavas which was magnificent. Various myths are also associated with this site. An inscription of Trilochanapala, the Pratihara king, was discovered from the site in 1830. In his book, VN Pandey mentions that the naming of Jhunsi too has a legend associated with it. It was once ruled by Har-bonga, an imbecile and foolish king in whose reign chaos prevailed everywhere. When the cup of his inequity was full there was an upheaval on the earth and the capital Pratishthana was turned upside down, hence now known as 'Ulta Quila'.