Change Name Of Farrukhabad District To Panchal Nagar, BJP MP Writes To UP CM Adityanath

In elaborating on the district's history, the MP stated that during the period of the Mahabharata, the area was known as Panchala, the kingdom controlled by Pandava queen Draupadi's father Drupad.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Ministe Yogi Adityanath. (Source: Getty Images)

New Delhi: Mukesh Rajput, a BJP MP, wrote to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday, urging that the Farrukhabad district be renamed Panchal Nagar or Aparkashi.

In elaborating on the district's history, the MP stated that during the period of the Mahabharata, the area was known as Panchala, the kingdom controlled by Pandava queen Draupadi's father Drupad, news agency PTI reported.

"The capital of King Drupad was Kampil, which is located in the district and where Draupadi's 'swayamvar' had taken place," he was quoted by PTI in its report.

Farrukhabad's history dates back to the time of the Puranas, he says, and it is located near the Ganga, Ramganga, and Kali rivers.

"The Army of King Drupad used to reside in the Cantonment area. Today, there are two regimental centres--Rajput Regiment and Sikh LI," he said.

He went on to say that Kampil is religiously significant to both Hindus and Jains.

"The first Jain Teerthankar Rishabhadeva had delivered a sermon here. Sankissa is a world-famous pilgrim place for Buddhists. Countries like Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma (Myanmar) and Japan have built big Baudh Viharas here," he said.

"Like Kashi, 'Shivalayas' (temples of Lord Shiva) exist in every bylane, hence, this city (Farrukhabad) is also called 'Aparkashi'," the BJP MP added.

"However in 1714, Mughal ruler Farrukhsiyar changed the name of the city to Farrukhabad. Hence, you are requested that to revive the Indian culture, the name of Farrukhabad district should be changed to Panchal Nagar or Aparkashi," he wrote.

He also stated that the Nibkarori railway station is located in the area.

Neeb Karori Baba was a Hindu guru and Lord Hanuman follower who was renowned outside India as the spiritual master of a number of Americans who travelled to India in the 1960s and 1970s, he claimed.

The Uttar Pradesh government renamed the Jhansi railway station Veerangana Laxmibai Railway Station after Rani Laxmibai in December 2021.

Previously, Mughalsarai railway station was renamed Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya junction, while Faizabad railway station was renamed Ayodhya Cantt.

Since taking office, the Adityanath administration has renamed various facilities, including those in the Faizabad and Allahabad districts, which have been renamed Ayodhya and Prayagraj, respectively.

(With PTI Inputs)