Bayana is a historical town in Bharatpur District, Rajasthan. It was founded by Banasura, an asura or demon, who lived during the time of Lord Krishna. The district of Bayana has relics of important historical dynasties which had conquered India like the Mughals and the Ghoris. Many famous historical figures had been buried in this old district of Bharatpur.
HISTORY OF BAYANA DISTRICT
The early name of Bayana had been Shantipura or Sripura. Some of the Sanskrit inscriptions also call the district as Pathayampuri. The district is well known for the many number of tombs that are found in and around the city. The name of Abubakr Kandahari is still well known in the city. Abubakr Kandahari is known to have accompanied Qutb-ud-din Aibaq and Muhammad bin Sam when they had arrived Bayana in order to conquer the district. During the Muhammedan capture of northern India, Bayana had been the capital of the Jadon Rajputs. After Muhammad bin Sam had captured Bayana, he had given the maintenance of the territory to Baha-ud-din Tughril. He had named the territory as Sultankot and it was the Muhammedan name of the territory and for many centuries the place had been known as Bayana-Sultankot. For a long period Bayana stayed under the rule of the Muslim rulers and finally Bayana was handed over to the Mughal kingdom by Nizam Khan after the battle of Babur-Rana Sanga in Khanwa. It was from the rule of Akbar that Bayana became a permanent part of the Mughal Dominion and was a part of the Subah of Agra. After the Mughal rulers the territory of Bayana came under the Jat rulers and was a part of the Bharatpur district. During the British rule Bayana continued as the Tahsil headquarter of Bharatpur district. Bayana was once known for its lofty towers and huge stock of garrison.
GEOGRAPHY OF BAYANA DISTRICT
The geographical location of Bayana is 26.9 degree north and 77.28 degree east. Bayana is located on the left bank of river Gambhir and stretches on a plain between two mountains which runs parallel to each other. The average elevation of Bayana is around 643 feet. The town of Bayana is located on the eastern sides of Rajasthan. Strategically it can be said that it is located 150 kilometers east of Jaipur, 160 kilometers south of Delhi and 41 kilometers to the south-west of Bharatpur.
PEOPLE OF BAYANA DISTRICT
The 2001 census reports that Bayana has a population of 33,504. The population comprises 54 percent males and 46 percent females. The literacy rate of the district of Bayana is around 64.5 percent and interestingly it is higher than the national literacy rate. Among the literate population only 37 percent are females and the rest are males. In Bayana 17 percent of the population falls under 6 years of age.
TOURISM IN BAYANA DISTRICT
Bayana has immense historical importance and so it attracts a number of tourists towards its historical works. A major attraction in the district of Bayana is the Old Fort. The Fort stands as a witness of the amalgamation of Hindu and Muslim cultures that had taken place in Bayana. The wonderful architectural features that are embedded in the red sandstone structure talk about the historical glory which was an integral part of Bayana till the 16th century.
The Barah Khambon ki Chhatri is a large pavillion consisting of 12 pillars. It is a vaste structure and many times serve as a suitable picnic spot both for the tourists as well as for the insiders of the district. Many monuments in Bayana are huge in structure and are a treat for the eyes of the onlooker. Today the place which is known as the Usha Mandir was earlier constructed as Usha Masjid and is a major tourist attraction. Similarly the Lodi Minnar built by Nizam Khan in 1519-20 is also an important attraction for the visitors to Bayana. Although the construction remains incomplete till today it is a combination of both aesthetics and modernity. The Lodi Minar was well equipped in a number of ways. It had an improved cooling system and specially designed windows to allow maximum air to pass in.
Nohara or the Old Masjid is one of the largest buildings of Bayana. It was built during the reign of Qutubuddin Aibak in 1320 A.D. The mosque houses a 41 feet Minar from which the Imam used to call the Ajan, a call for prayers to the faithful. The most holy place for the people of Bayan district is the tomb of Abubakr-Kandahar. He was the first occupant of the Bayan district. The tomb is surrounded by brick walls and around it there are a number of other tombs but the features of none of the tombs present in and around are much notable.
Bayana, thus, remains a district with ample witness of its past glory but the present state of Bayana has declined and does not in any way match its enviable status. At the same time it is not devoid of tourist attraction.
