This is a timeline of the history of the city of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.

7th century BCE

*Excavations have revealed Northern Black Polished Ware dating to Indian Iron Age.

4th century BCE

*A strong fortification at Prayaga was recorded by Seleucus I Nicator at the junction of

Ganga The Ganges ( ) (in India: Ganga ( ); in Bangladesh: Padma ( )). "The Ganges Basin, known in India as the Ganga and in Bangladesh as the Padma, is an international river to which India, Bangladesh, Nepal and China are the riparian states." is ...

and Yamuna river.

3rd century BCE

*A sculptured monument ( Pillars of Ashoka) was erected in Prayaga by Ashoka the Great for inscribing his edicts.

7th century CE

* Harsha's official coronation and a religious conference took place in the city. The Chinese traveler Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) described a ritual organized by Emperor Shiladitya (identified with Harsha) at the confluence of two rivers, in the kingdom of Po-lo-ye-kia (identified with Prayaga). He also mentions that many hundreds took a bath at the confluence, to wash away their sins.Buddhist Records of the Western World, Book V
by Xuan Zang According to some scholars, this is earliest surviving historical account of the Prayaga Kumbh Mela, which took place in Prayaga in 644 CE. However, Xuanzang's reference is about an event that happened every 5 years (and not 12 years), and might have been a Buddhist celebration (since Harsha was a Buddhist emperor).

10th century CE

* Pratihara Empire including Prayaga and Kannauj was captured and plundered by Indra III under the reign of Mahipala I.

12th century CE

*The city was invaded by Shihab ad-Din, the

sultan Sultan (; ar, سلطان ', ) is a position with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", derived from the verbal noun ', meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it ...

of Ghurid Empire.

14th century CE

*City went under the

Khalji dynasty The Khalji or Khilji (Pashto: ; Persian: ) dynasty was a Turco-Afghan dynasty which ruled the Delhi sultanate, covering large parts of the Indian subcontinent for nearly three decades between 1290 and 1320.Alauddin Khalji.

16th century CE

*'' Akbarnama'' mentions that the Mughal emperor Akbar founded a great city in Prayag. `Abd al-Qadir Bada'uni and Nizamuddin Ahmad mention that Akbar laid the foundations of an Imperial City at Prayag which he called ''Ilahabas''. The

Allahabad Fort Allahabad Fort is a fort built by the Mughal emperor Akbar at Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India in 1583. A stone inscription inside fort describe 1583 as a foundation year. The fort stands on the banks of the Yamuna near its confluence with the r ...

was built by Mughal Emperor

Akbar Abu'l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar (25 October 1542 – 27 October 1605), popularly known as Akbar the Great ( fa, ), and also as Akbar I (), was the third Mughal emperor, who reigned from 1556 to 1605. Akbar succeeded his father, Hum ...

at Prayag. He had been impressed with its strategic position, as it sat on the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna, with the fort allowing for any movement along both. * Per Abu'l Fazal, Akbar laid the foundations of a city called ''Ilahabas'' at the town of Prayag on 13 November 1583. * Per `Abd al-Qadir Bada'uni, the date of its founding as 14 June 1574. * Nizamuddin Ahmad mentions two different dates, one as 13 July 1574. He also mentioned Akbar laying the foundation in the section about occurrences in the year 1584. *Akbar divides his empire into 12 subahs based on names of the country or their capital. The "Subah of Ilahabas" is created.

17th century CE

Prince Salim Nur-ud-Din Muhammad Salim (30 August 1569 – 28 October 1627), known by his imperial name Jahangir (; ), was the fourth Mughal Emperor, who ruled from 1605 until he died in 1627. He was named after the Indian Sufi saint, Salim Chishti. Ear ...

seizes its treasury and establishes himself as a virtually independent ruler. In May 1602, Salim had his name read in Friday prayers and his name minted on coins in Illahabas. Akbar reconciled with Salim and the latter returned to the royal court in 1604. * Prince Khusrau died that year. After his death his father

Jahangir Nur-ud-Din Muhammad Salim (30 August 1569 – 28 October 1627), known by his imperial name Jahangir (; ), was the fourth Mughal Emperor, who ruled from 1605 until he died in 1627. He was named after the Indian Sufi saint, Salim Chishti. Ear ...

built his mausoleum in the city along with his mother and sister at Khusro Bagh.

18th century CE

Muhammad Khan Bangash Nawab Ghazanfar-Jang, Bangash Khan (1665 – 1743) was the first Nawab of Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh, India. He was a "Bawan Hazari Sardar" (Commander of 52,000 men strong force) in the Mughal Army. He served as governor of Malwa Subah, Malwa a ...

of the Mughal Empire became the

subahdar Subahdar, also known as Nazim or in English as a "Subah", was one of the designations of a governor of a Subah (province) during the Khalji dynasty of Bengal, Mamluk dynasty (Delhi), Khalji dynasty, Tughlaq dynasty, Mughal era ( of India who w ...

( governor) of Illahabas Province. *City fell into the hands of Maratha Empire until 1750. * Pathans of Farrukhabad sacked the city. *

Safdarjung Abul Mansur Mirza Muhammad Muqim Ali Khan (c. 1708 – 5 October 1754), better known as Safdar Jang, was a major figure at the Mughal court during the declining years of the Mughal Empire. He became the second Nawab of Awadh when he succeeded S ...

, the Nawab of Awadh seized the city and held it until 1765. *12 August: Treaty of Allahabad was signed. The Treaty marks the political and constitutional involvement and the beginning of Company rule in India.

19th century CE

Annexation Annexation (Latin ''ad'', to, and ''nexus'', joining), in international law, is the forcible acquisition of one state's territory by another state, usually following military occupation of the territory. It is generally held to be an illegal act ...

of the city by the British East India Company (beginning the

Company rule Company rule in India (sometimes, Company ''Raj'', from hi, rāj, lit=rule) refers to the rule of the British East India Company on the Indian subcontinent. This is variously taken to have commenced in 1757, after the Battle of Plassey, when ...

). *The 17th century Jade Terrapin was found at the bottom of a well during engineering excavations. It was bequeathed it to the British Museum in 1830. *Population: 20,000. *The city became the seat of Ceded and Conquered Provinces before the capital was shifted to Agra in 1835. *

Holy Trinity Church Holy Trinity Church may refer to: Albania * Holy Trinity Church (Berat), Berat County * Holy Trinity Church, Lavdar, Opar, Korçë County Armenia * Holy Trinity Church, Yerevan Australia * Garrison Church, Sydney, South Wales, also known as ''H ...

, the first church in the city, was established. * Rail transport was introduced to the city; the first railway line between Calcutta and Prayagraj was completed. *Prayagraj was a participant in the Rebellion of 1857. The city, with a number of European troops, was the scene of a massacre. * Civil Lines was built; it was the largest town-planning project carried out in India before the establishment of New Delhi. *

Earl Canning Earl Canning was a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1859 for the Conservative politician and then Viceroy of India, Charles Canning, 2nd Viscount Canning. He was the third and youngest son of the noted politician G ...

, at Minto Park, read out the declaration of Queen Victoria's Proclamation which resulted in the complete transfer of control over India from The East India Company to the government of Britain (beginning the British Rule). *The city became the seat of North-Western Provinces. *It became the

capital of India This is a list of locations which have served as the capital city of India. The current capital city is New Delhi, which replaced Calcutta in 1911. Early period * Rajgir : Initial capital of the Magadha Empire from 6th century BCE to 460 BCE, ...

. *3 March: First passenger train in North India ran between Prayagraj and

Kanpur Kanpur or Cawnpore ( /kɑːnˈpʊər/ pronunciation (help·info)) is an industrial city in the central-western part of the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Founded in 1207, Kanpur became one of the most important commercial and military stations o ...

. *Population: 105,900. *

Prayagraj Municipal Corporation Allahabad Municipal Corporation (officially known as Prayagraj Municipal Corporation) is the governing civic body of Allahabad Allahabad (), officially known as Prayagraj, also known as Ilahabad, is a metropolis in the Indian state of Ut ...

established as the Municipal Board of Prayagraj. *

Allahabad Public Library Allahabad Public Library, also known as Thornhill Mayne Memorial, is a public library situated at Chandrashekhar Azad Park in Prayagraj. Established in 1864, it is the biggest library in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The building was designed by ...

was established. *'' The Pioneer'' made its first appearance. *15 August: Construction of the

Old Naini Bridge The Old Naini Bridge is one of the longest and oldest bridges in India, located in Prayagraj. It is a double-decked steel truss bridge which runs across the Yamuna river in the southern part of the city. The bridge runs north-south across the ...

was completed. * Allahabad Bank was established. *25 November: The

Allahabad High Court Allahabad High Court, also known as High Court of Judicature at Allahabad is the high court based in Prayagraj that has jurisdiction over the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It was established on 17 March 1866, making it one of the oldest high ...

was inaugurated. Though it sat in Agra till 1868. *The High Court was moved back to Prayagraj from Agra. *The building of

was built. * State Police Headquarters established in the city. *

Chandrashekhar Azad Park Chandrashekhar Azad Park (also known by its former name Alfred Park, and Company Bagh during the Company Raj) is a public park in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. Built in 1870 to mark Prince Alfred's visit to the city, with an area of 133 ...

was built. *10 April: Foundation stone of All Saints Cathedral was laid. *Population: 143,700. * A. H. Wheeler was founded. * St. Joseph's Cathedral was built. *

Mayo Memorial Hall Mayo Memorial and Town Hall (commonly Mayo Hall) is a large meeting hall in Prayagraj, situated near the Thornhill Mayne Memorial, having a 180 feet high tower . The interior of this memorial hall was ornamented with designs by Professor Gambl ...

was built. *Population: 148,500. *23 September: University of Allahabad, the fourth oldest University in India, was established. *The fourth conference of the Indian National Congress addressed in the city by George Yule. *Population: 175,200. *The eighth conference of the Indian National Congress addressed in the city by

Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee Womesh Chandra Bannerjee (or Umesh Chandra Banerjee by current English orthography of Bengali names; 29 December 1844 – 21 July 1906) was an Indian barrister. He was a co-founder and the first president of Indian National Congress. Born on 1 ...

. *The city was hit by the Famine of 1896. A considerable effect was seen in the decrease of the city population during the Census of 1901. *The fifteenth conference of the Indian National Congress addressed in the city by Romesh Chunder Dutt.

20th century

*Population: 172,000. *The city became the capital of United Provinces till 1920. *Curzon Bridge was built; it linked the city, through

rail road Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport that transfers passengers and goods on wheeled vehicles running on rails, which are incorporated in tracks. In contrast to road transport, where the vehicles run on a pre ...

, to the northern regions of the state *

Ewing Christian College Ewing Christian College (ECC), formerly Allahabad Christian College, is an autonomous constituent college of University of Allahabad, located in Allahabad, India. The college was established in 1902 by Arthur Henry Ewing, a prominent Presbyter ...

was established. *24 October: '' The Leader'' was first published. It circulated until 1967. * Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences was established. *18 February: Henri Pequet carried the world's first official airmail from Prayagraj to Naini. * Prayagraj Clock Tower was built in

Chowk, Prayagraj Chowk is a neighborhood in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is the historic city centre of Old Prayagraj. It is one of the oldest & largest business markets of India & lies in old Prayagraj. The landmark of this market is historic Praya ...

. *D.A.V College was established. *

Prayagraj Airport Prayagraj Airport , also known as Allahabad Airport, is the domestic airport serving the city of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. Located in the Bamrauli suburb of the city, it is one of the oldest airports in India. This airport is curr ...

was built, it served as an

international airport An international airport is an airport with customs and border control facilities enabling passengers to travel between countries around the world. International airports are usually larger than domestic airports and they must feature longer ...

till 1946. *Population: 157,200. *

Prayag Sangeet Samiti Prayag Sangeet Samiti is an institute imparting education in Hindustani Classical music, in Allahabad, India. It awards diplomas and certificates in vocal music, instrumental music as well as classical dance. It was established in 1926. This ...

was established. *11 April: Salt March carried out by Jawaharlal Nehru. * Allahabad Address was made by Muhammad Iqbal.Sir Muhammad Iqbal’s 1930 Presidential Address
from Columbia University site *27 February: Chandrashekhar Azad died at Alfred Park. * Allahabad Museum was established. *Population: 183,900. *Population: 260,600. *

Prayag Kumbh Mela The Allahabad Kumbh Mela or Prayag Kumbh Mela, is a mela, or religious gathering, associated with Hinduism and held in the city of Allahabad India, at Prayag, the locality of Allahabad with the Triveni Sangam—which represents the conflue ...

banned by the British Government due to fears of Japanese bombing the nearby situated Akbar Fort during the World War II *Population: 332,300. *First incident of Kumbh Mela stampede occurred. *Population: 412,000. *Population: 513,000. * Jawahar Planetarium was built. *Population: 642,200. *First

Indira Marathon The Indira Marathon is a national annual full marathon held in Allahabad, India. It commemorates the birth anniversary of India's former prime minister, Indira Gandhi Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi (; Given name, ''née'' Nehru; 19 No ...

was conducted. *Population: 792,900. * Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad was established.

21st century

*Population: 990,298. *

New Yamuna Bridge The New Yamuna Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge located in Allahabad (Prayagraj). The bridge was constructed by the end of 2004 with the aim of minimizing the traffic over the Old Naini Bridge. The bridge runs north–south across the Yamuna riv ...

was completed. *Population: 1,117,094. *10 February: An estimated 30 million people gathered in the city to bathe on Mauni Amavasya during

Kumbh Mela Kumbh Mela or Kumbha Mela () is a major pilgrimage and festival in Hinduism. It is celebrated in a cycle of approximately 12 years, to celebrate every revolution Brihaspati (Jupiter) completes, at four river-bank pilgrimage sites: Allahabad ( ...

. *Second incident of Kumbh Mela stampede occurred. *25 January: MoU signed between the

United States Trade and Development Agency The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is an independent agency of the United States government, formed in 1992 to advance economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle income countries. Structure The U.S. ...

and the Government of Uttar Pradesh for developing the city as a smart city. *23 June: Civil Lines Bus Depot became the first public spot in the city to be equipped with free Wi-Fi. *23 April: Completion of renovation and inauguration of

. *22 April: On

Earth Day Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EarthDay.org (formerly Earth Day Network) including 1 b ...

, the Allahabad Museum, using

solar power system A photovoltaic system, also PV system or solar power system, is an electric power system designed to supply usable solar power by means of photovoltaics. It consists of an arrangement of several components, including solar panels to absorb and co ...

, became the first museum in the country to become self-reliant in power generation. *October: Yogi Adityanath-led government officially changed the name of the city to Prayagraj. *24 March: City, along with the nation, was put under lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic.

References

{{Years in India History of Prayagraj Prayagraj Prayagraj-related lists