Prayagraj
Ancient holy city at the confluence of three rivers.
Prayagraj, formerly and colloquially known as Allahabad, is a metropolis in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It serves as the administrative headquarters of Prayagraj district and division, and is the judicial capital of the state, housing the Allahabad High Court. The city lies close to the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Sarasvati rivers, and plays a central role in Hindu scriptures, being venerated as the holy city of Prayāga in the ancient Vedas. It is also a sacred place for Jains, as their first Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha, is believed to have attained kevala jnana here.
The city’s history stretches back to the late Vedic period, when it was known as Kosambi and served as a capital under the Kuru rulers of Hastinapura. It remained significant through the Maurya and Gupta empires, and later became a political and cultural center of the Doab region. In the 16th century, Mughal emperor Akbar founded a great city at this site, naming it Ilahabas or Ilahabad, and constructed a fort by 1584. Under Shah Jahan, the name evolved to Allahabad. The city served as a provincial capital under Jahangir and later became the seat of the Ceded and Conquered Provinces in 1833. It was the capital of the North-Western Provinces from 1858 and of the United Provinces from 1902 to 1920, playing a prominent role in the Indian independence movement.
Today, Prayagraj is the seventh most populous city in Uttar Pradesh, with an estimated 1.53 million residents, and was ranked the world’s 40th fastest-growing city in 2011. It covers 365 square kilometers and is governed largely by the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation. The city’s economy, once built on tourism, now relies heavily on real estate and financial services, though it remains a major international tourist destination, second in the state after Varanasi. Prayagraj hosts the Kumbh Mela, one of the largest peaceful gatherings globally, which draws extensive media coverage and drives significant infrastructure development. The city also hosts cultural and sporting events, including the Indira Marathon. Hindi is the most widely spoken language. In October 2018, the state government officially renamed the city from Allahabad to Prayagraj, a change that had been attempted unsuccessfully in 1992 and 2001.
- population (2011)
- 1.53 million
- state
- Uttar Pradesh, India
- judicial capital
- Allahabad High Court
- known for
- Triveni Sangam, Kumbh Mela, ancient Hindu and Jain significance
- fastest-growing city rank (2011)
- 40th in the world
- most liveable urban agglomeration in sta
- 3rd
Lore & Background
Prayagraj finds its earliest reference as one of the world's oldest known cities in Hindu texts. It was known as Kosambi in the late Vedic period, named by the Kuru rulers of Hastinapura, who developed it as their capital. The city maintained its prominence from the late Vedic period until the end of the Maurya Empire, with occupation continuing until the Gupta Empire. Since then, it has been a political, cultural and administrative centre of the Doab region. The name Allahabad became predominant after Akbar's death, though speculations about its origin exist, including possible Hindu and Muslim interpretations.
Reader's Guide
Prayagraj, situated near the Triveni Sangam—the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati—holds profound religious significance in Hindu scriptures and is venerated as the holy city of Prayāga in the ancient Vedas. It is also sacred to Jains, who believe their first Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha, attained kevala jnana here. The city’s history stretches from the late Vedic period through the Maurya and Gupta empires, serving as a political and cultural hub of the Doab region. Under Mughal emperor Akbar, a fort was built and the city was named Ilahabas or Ilahabad, later becoming a provincial capital under Jahangir. In the colonial era, it served as the seat of the Ceded and Conquered Provinces, then the capital of the North-Western Provinces, and briefly the capital of India for a day. It was the capital of the United Provinces from 1902 to 1920 and played a key role in the Indian independence movement. Today, it remains the judicial capital of Uttar Pradesh, hosting the Allahabad High Court, and is a major tourism destination, second in the state after Varanasi. The Kumbh Mela, one of the world’s largest peaceful gatherings, draws extensive national and international coverage and drives significant infrastructure projects. While the economy was originally tourism-based, most income now comes from real estate and financial services. The city also hosts cultural and sporting events, including the Indira Marathon.
Did You Know?
- Prayagraj was known as Purimtal in ancient Jain scriptures and is sacred to Jains as the place where the first Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha, attained kevala jnana.
- The city was the capital of India for a day.
- Prayagraj hosts the Kumbh Mela, one of the largest peaceful gatherings in the world.
More in Cities On Rivers 1-24
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