Jaunpur
Jaunpur is a city in the Purvanchal part of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. A historical town with Medieval era fort, bridges and mosques. The city was founded by Feroz Shah Tughlaq and named in memory of his cousin, Jaun (popularly known as Muhammad bin Tughluq). Jaunpur served as an independent sultanate under the Sharqi Dynasty (1394 - 1479). Most of the historical structures of Jaunpur were constructed during the Sharqi rule. The town also houses a few structures from the Tughliq and Mughal eras.
Understand
It is a small fort consisting of a mosque and hammam. Jaunpur is not a tourist spot but has all the elements to attract tourists interested in history. The town does have hotels and eateries to cater to the tourists. The town lacks tourist facilities like trained guides. Autos are available but the drivers are not aware of the historical places. So visitors have to be self-prepared. Jaunpur is known for its medieval architecture consisting of a series of mosques along with a couple of tombs, a bridge and a fort. The mosques of Jaunpur have a unique architectural style probably found nowhere in the sub-continent. The mosques were constructed during the Sharqi rule (1394 - 1479) and come in with towering ornamental gateways. The gateways have intricate decoration complete with geometric and floral patterns. The also have have beautiful calligraphies. The bridge has beautiful coloured chhatris and the fort towers above the town.
Get in
Jaunpur is well connected by road and rail. The nearest airport is Varanasi about 66 km away. Although Jaunpur has several hotels it can be explored in a day trip.
By train
- 1 Jaunpur Junction Ralway Station. Jaunpur is well-connected with all major cities of India thanks to Indian Railways. It has two major Railway Stations namely Jaunpur City Station (JOP) and Jaunpur Junction (JNU). Mughalsarai, Varanasi and Allahabad Railway Stations are also easily reachable. The Godaan Express is a daily Train to Mumbai (erstwhile Bombay) from JNU; Shramjeevi, Sadhbhawana and Farakka Express are daily trains to Delhi.
By bus
- 2 Jaunpur Bus Station. Jaunpur is well connected to Lucknow (275 km), Varanasi (66 km), Allahabad (100 km) and other cities like Azamgarh, Mirzapur, Bhadohi, Sultanpur, Ghazipur etc. NH-56, SH-36 are the roads connecting all major cities to Jaunpur. UPSTRC bus services are frequent from all the points to the city. There are luxury bus services from Lucknow and Varanasi at all hours.
By plane
Varanasi Airport Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport or Varanasi Airport (VNS IATA) is just 30-minute drive from Jaunpur city on NH-56 (National Highway - 56), numerous domestic and international flights. Air India and Spice Jet have daily flights to Delhi and there are flights to Mumbai on Air India.
Get around
An auto-rickshaw is the best way to travel inside the city. There are no fixed rates and do bargain. A whole tour of Jaunpur would take around 3 hours and would cost around 600 on an auto (March 2023 rate).
See
- 1 Jaunpur Fort (Sahi Quila). The name Sahi Quila literally translates into royal fort. The fort dates back to the 14th century and was constructed by Ibrahim Naib Barbak, a chieftain of Firoz Shah Tughlaq. Over the years the fort has gone through various modifications and extensions. The fort stands on an artificial mound on the north bank of Gomti. It is irregular quadrangular in shape. The fort is surrounded by two sets of walls topped with battlements and reinforced with bastions, The entrance is through the east and the interiors are reached after passing through two gateways. Nothing much is left in the interiors apart from a mosque and a hammam.
- 2 Mosque. The mosque dates back to 1376 and was built by Feroz Shah Tughlaq's brother Barbaq Shah. The mosque has three arches on the eastern side and is topped with three domes. There are pillared extensions on the north and south sides. Slender minaretes add to the elegance of the small mosque. The mosque also has a slender minaret in front of it.
- 3 Hammam. The Turkish Hammam is located next to the mosque. The hammam is located next to the mosque and is built in Turkish style. The hammam consists of a series of domes complete with turrets allowing light to pass in. The interiors are accessible and consist of a series of rooms connected with a maze of passageways. The rooms consist of water tubs connected with a series of water channels supplying hot and cold water.
- 4 Shahi Bridge, Olandganj. A picturesque 16th century bridge across the Gombti which was constructed during Mughal times. One of the finest example of the engineering in the medieval period of India.The old bridge over the Gomti River in Jaunpur dates from 1564, the era of the Mughal emperor Akbar.
- 5 Atala mosque. The mosque was constructed in 1408 by Ibrahim Shah Sharki. The foundation stone of the mosque was laid by Feorze Shah Tughlaque in 1393. It towers to a height of 100 ft and have three towering gateways. The mosque has intricate stone works.
- 6 Jaunpur Jami Masjid (Jaunpur Sahi Badi Masjid). Built by Hussain Shah Sharqi, the 15th century is one of the largest in India. Situated inside a walled complex it has domed gates on the eastern, northern and southern sides. The mosque lies on the western side and consists of a dome flanked on both sides by vaulted roofs.
- 7 Char Angul Mosque, Masjid Mufti Mohalla. This small mosque is a hidden gem. It is located deep inside the Mufti Mohalla locality of Jaunpur and is difficult to find. Unlike the other Jaunpur mosques it doesn't have a towering gateway but still has its share of elegance.
- 8 Lal Darwaza Masjid. This Mosque was built in 1447 (as per inscription of this mosque), during the reign of Sultan Mahmud Sharqi, by Queen Bibi Rajyi, dedicated to Maulana Sayyid Ali Dawood Kutubbudin, a celebrated saint (Maulana) of Jaunpu. This mosque is also located inside a large walled complex with the mosque at the western end. There are gates on the other three sides.
- 9 Jhinjhari Masjid. A small and elegant mosque with a towering arched gateway complete with intricate calligraphy from the Koran along with floral and geometric design. It is constructed by Ibrahim Shah Sharki.
- 10 Tomb of Shah Feroz. Feroz Shah (not to be confused with Feroz Shah Tughlaq) was a commander of Babur. The tomb consists of a single domed structure.
- 11 Tomb of Sher Zaman Khan (Katghara Makbara), South bank of Gomti River. The tomb houses the mortal remains of Sher Zaman Khan, a Farukabadi Nawab. It is a spectacular structure crowned with a massive dome. Sadiy, it lies in neglect.
- 12 Tomb of Qaliach Khan (Barahdari) (South bank of Gomti River). Qaliach Khan was the governor of Jaunpur during Akbar's reign. His tomb consists of a single dome flanked with chhatris on both sides.
- 13 Sheetla Chukia. Temple of Sheetla Devi
- Trilochan Mahadeva-Temple of Lord Shiva in Trilochan Mahadeva at Trilochan
Do
Buy
Perfumes made locally are exported the world over. They are called "ITTAR" and are both nice and also cheap
Eat
There are various good restaurants such as Garden View, Kishan Coffee House, Varun restaurant, and Amapali.
- Imartee/Imirtee -a sweet like Jalebi made from Urad lentil (especially that of Beniram's in the Olandganj area of the city)
- Atom Bomb - a mouthwatering sweet from Sujanganj. It is made of dry fruits stuffed in Chhenna. For its big size (diameter =~ 3 Inches) and really good taste.
- Dohara - one of the famous Paan-masala like foodstuffs, which is made using Supari (Beatle-nut), Kattha and Opium water.
- Batti Chokha
- Tikki-Chaat -the best taste of meshed tikia of potato can be found in this city.
- Phulki (Pani Puri or batasa)
- Papdi specially that of Jhagadu Halwai
- Mithai's lot variety of sweets
- Muli is special crop in Jaunpur
- Makai Jaunpur is high level corn (makai) producing district in India.
Drink
- Thandai is cool milk based drink made with pistachios, almonds and kesar and topped off with a large dollop of malai (cream)
- Satu is a drink made using Satu, onion slices, mint and many other ingredients.
- Alcohol and beer is available at a few restaurants
- Jal zeera or panna
- Lassi is drink made by curd which is served in khulhad (glass made from mud)
- Sugarcane Juice can be available every corner of district season by seasons.
Sleep
There are various budget hotels in the city such as
- Hotel Ambar Palace.
- Hotel Day Night
- Hotel JP International At Oland Ganj.
- Hotel River View
- Hotel Varun
- Pankaj sweet house polytechnic chauraha mirjapur road
- Sahu Dharamsala
Connect
BSNL (cell one), Reliance, IDEA, Tata Indicom, Vodafone, Virgin and Airtel are the most popular cell phone services in the region.
Internet is widely available. Price is usually ₹15-₹20/hour, however there are reports of as low as ₹10/hour.
Go next
- Agra - city of the Taj Mahal can be easily reached by Marudhar express, a daily train from Jaunpur
- Allahabad-pryag nagri and among the most dynamic cities of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Has lots of items regarding Indian independence, sangam, and education.
- Chunar - ruins of battlements and ancient settlement 15 miles from Varanasi.
- Lucknow-capital city of Uttar Pradesh is also not far from Jaunpur
- Mirzapur-there are various water falls and beautiful scenery.
- Sarnath - site of the Buddha's first sermon