Chapter 2

Profile of Varanasi Division

Varanasi division comprises four districts namely Varanasi, Chandauli, Ghazipur and
Jaunpur. Administrative headquarter of division situated at Varanasi. Varanasi
regarded as “a city older than history. Famous English writer Mark Twain said in
1897 „‟Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older than legend and looks
twice as old as all of them together‟‟.

2.1: Varanasi:

Varanasi is also known as Benaras and Kashi is a sacred place and considered as the
holiest of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri). Land of Varanasi has been considered
as the ultimate pilgrimage for Hindu for ages, Teen Lok Se Nyari Kashi. They
believed that one who is graced to die on the land of Kashi would attain salvation and
freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth.

The city has been a centre of learning and civilization for over 3000 years.
Knowledge, philosophy, culture, devotion to Gods, Indian arts and crafts have all
flourished here for centuries and aptly known as the cultural capital of India.
Mahatma Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment in 528 B.C. at
Sarnath just 10 km away from Varanasi.

Freedom Fighter Mrs. Annie Besant chose Varanasi as the home for her
‗Theosophical Society‘ and laid the foundation of Central Hindu School in 1898 that
later extended to Benares Hindu University with the great contribution of Pandit
Madan Mohan Malaviya, now it is biggest University in Asia. Ayurveda is said to be
originated at Varanasi and is believed to be the basis of modern medical sciences such
as Plastic surgery, Cataract, and Calculus operations. Maharshi Patanjali, the
preceptor of Ayurveda and Yoga, was also affiliated with Varanasi, the holy city.
Varanasi is also famous for its trade and commerce, especially for the finest silks and
gold and silver brocades, since the early days.

Profile of Varanasi Division 36

Also a pilgrimage place for Jains, Varanasi is believed to be the birthplace of
Parsvanath, the twenty-third Tirthankar. Vaishnavism and Shaivism have co-existed
in Varanasi harmoniously. It is a luminous city as an ancient seat of learning.

Figure2.1 :District Map of Varanasi

Kashi Vidyapeeth and Baragaon blocks have been chosen on random basis.
Kanchanpur, Kandva, Amrakhaira villages and Bhelupur town area of Kashi
Viyapeeth block while Kushahi, Baragaon Bazar, Ratanpur of Baragaon block have
also chosen randomly for sample survey.
Table2.1: Profile Data of Varanasi
Total Population (In 000's) 3682 Area (In Sq.Km) 1535
Decadal Growth Rate 17.15% Blocks 8
Overall Literacy Rate 75.6% Clusters 119
Male Literacy Rate 83.78% Villages 1331
Female Literacy Rate 66.69% Schools 24
Sex Ratio 913 Urban Population 43.4%
% SC Population 22% Ratio of Primary to Upper Primary 1.58
Schools/Sections
% ST Population 0.1% Population Density 2395
Child Sex Ratio (0-6 Age) 885 Child Proportion 13.52%

Source: - Census 2011

Profile of Varanasi Division 37

 Table2.2: Enrolment of students in Primary Schools
in Varanasi District in 2016-17
Category Boys Girls Total
1 - General 25499 20736 46235
2 - SC 35335 33466 68801
3 - ST 1107 932 2039
4 - OBC 106651 101675 208326
Total 168592 156809 325401

Source: - Basic ShikshaAdhikari Office, Varanasi

Figure 2: Category wise enrolment of the student (in %) in Varanasi

70
64.02

60

50

40

30

21.14
20
14.21

10

0.63
0
GEN SC ST OBC

Source: - Category wise enrolment of the student (in %) in Varanasi, based on the table 2.2

Profile of Varanasi Division 38

2.2: Jaunpur:

It is largest district of Varanasi division in terms of both total population and area.
The district situated on the bank of river Gomti and located to the northwest of the
Varanasi. The city is historically known as Sheeraj-E-Hind and it was founded by
erstwhile Sultan of Delhi Feroz Shah Tughlaq in 1359 and named in memory of his
cousin Mohammad Bin Tughlaqali as Jauna Khan. During the Sarqi period, Jaunpur
Sultanate was a strong military power in north India and it attained the greatest height
under the rule of Ibrahim Shah (1402-40).

Jaunpur was a major center of Urdu and Sufi knowledge and culture. As well as, it
was also known for its excellent communal relations between Muslims and Hindus
during the reign of Sharqi dynasty. In 1840, city was conquered by Sikandar Lodhi

Figure 2.2: District Map of Jaunpur

Profile of Varanasi Division 39

Jalalpur and Rampur blocks have been chosen randomly in Jaunpur. For the primary
data collection Oina and Chanwri villages of Jalalpur and Bhonda and Banpurwa
villages of Rampur blocks have been chosen on random basis.

Table2.2: Basic Dataof Jaunpur(Census 2011)

Total Population 4494204 Area(In Sq.Km) 4038
Decadal Growth Rate 14.89% Blocks 21
Overall Literacy Rate 73.7% UrbanPopulation 7.5%
Male Literacy Rate 83.80 Child Sex Ratio (0-6 Age) 918
Female Literacy Rate 59.81 Child Population 15.05%
Sex Ratio 1024 Ratio of Primary to Upper 1.97
Primary Schools/Sections
% SC Population 22% % ST Population 0.1%

2.3 Chandauli:

For the administrative purpose, the district Chandauli was carved out of district
Varanasi in the year 1997 and it came into existence on 20 May 1997. The district is
situated in the eastern and southern side of holy river Ganga.The district is named
after its tehsil headquarters‘ name. The region covered by the present district was part
of the ancient kingdom of Kashi (present time Varanasi). Apart from the numerous
legends connected with this district, valuable evidence of antiquity has been found
here and the remains of brick strewn mounds are spread all over the district.

The history of the district for the most part is unknown. There are some deserted sites,
tanks and kunds seen in tehsils of the district and they carry vague legends. One of the
ancient site of the district, ”Baluwa” is situated about 21 km. to the southern part of
tehsil Sakaldiha at the banks of river Ganga where it flows from east to west direction.
A religious fair for Hindus takes place every year in the month of Magha (January)
which is known as “Pachchim VahiniMela” it is said that the Ganga flows east to
west direction only at two places in the country first in Prayagraj (Allahabad) and the
second one at Baluwa. Village Ramgarh of tehsil Sakaldiha, known as the birthplace
of great Aghoreshwari saint Shree Kinaram Baba is just 6 km. away from Chahniya.
He was a great follower of Vaishnav faith and also Shiva and Shakta faith, and
believed in god power. He devoted his entire life for the services of mankind. This

Profile of Varanasi Division 40

place has become a holy place for Hinduism.

In one of the ancient sites in the village Hetampur of the district, there is a fort which
is known as ―Fort of Hetam" which is situated about 22 km. to the northeast from the
district headquarters. The ruins of this fort are spread over on 22 bigas in area. It is
said that this fort was designed and constructed between 14th to 15th centuries by
Todar Mal Khatri who was the construction supervisor in the kingdom of Sher Shah
Suri. After the Mughal period, Hetam Khan, Talukedar and Jagirdar captured this fort.
There are five famous ruined kot, known as Bhulaini Kot, Bhitari Kot, Bichali Kot,
Uttrai Kot and Dakchhani Kot, which attract the visitors. Some say that it was
constructed by Hetam himself.

Chandauli is popularly known as “Dhaanka Katora” (Bowl of Rice) of Uttar Pradesh

due to its fertile lands of Gangetic Plain. Along with rice, wheat and other cereals
have also been produced in adequate quantity. The district is rich in biodiversity; there
are various types of flora and fauna have found including medicinal plants, Jatropha
(Ratanjot) which is used as biofuel. Chandraprabha Wildlife sanctuary, Rajdari and
Devdari falls are major picnic spots of the district. Historic city Deen Dayal
Upadhyay Nagar (Mughalsarai) is an only Nagar Palika ofthe district and it has one of
the busiest railway routes in India. Former Prime Minister Late Lal Bahadur Shastri
was born in Mughalsarai. Other notable politicians of the district are former Railway
Minister Kamalapati Tripathi, present Defence Minister Rajnath Singh belongs to the
district.

Chandauli district is lacking in various development indicators such as infrastructure,

education but the situation is ameliorating as people are awakened.

Profile of Varanasi Division 41

 Figure 2.3:- District Map of Chandauli

Sakaldiha and Chahniya blocks have been chosen randomly for primary data
collection. Sample survey has been conducted among the respondents of Sakaldiha,
Jhansi, and Nagepur villages of Sakaldiha block while Papaura, Mahgaonand Mathela
villages of Chahniya block.
Table2.3: Basic Profile Data of Chandauli District
Total Population 1952756 Area (In Sq.Km) 2541
Decadal Growth Rate 18.8% Blocks 9
Overall Literacy Rate 73.9% Clusters 122
Male Literacy Rate 83.6% Villages 1189
Female Literacy Rate 63.1% Schools 2012
Sex Ratio 913 Urban Population 12.6%
% SC Population 22.9% Ratio of Primary to Upper 1.68
Primary Schools/Sections
% ST Population 2.1% Population Density 769/Square Km
Child Sex Ratio (0-6 Age) 885 Child Proportion 15.58%

Profile of Varanasi Division 42

 Table2.3.1: Enrolment of Students in 2017-18
Class Boys Girls
1 13882 14449
2 14603 15199
3 14793 15396
4 16185 16845
5 15770 16413
Total 75233 78302

Source: - BSA office Chandauli

2.4 Ghazipur:-

Ghazipur district is a part of Varanasi Division, lies close to the Uttar Pradesh – Bihar
border. The region is famous especially for opium factory established in 1820 by
British East India Company and still the biggest legal opium factory in the world,
producing for pharmaceutical purposes. It is also well known for the production of
rose sainted spray (GulabJal) andfor the tomb of the famous viceroy of British India,
Lord Cornwallis, who died here. The tomb is conserved by Archaeological Survey of
India (ASI).

As per the local folk history, Ghazipur was covered with dense forest during the
Vedic era and it was a place for ashrams of saints during that period. The place is also
related to the Ramayan period and it was believed that Maharshi Jamdagni, the father
of Maharshi Parashuram is said to have resided here. The famous Gautam Maharshi
and Chyavan were given teaching and sermon here in ancient period. Hsüan Tsang
(629A.D.) has described name of this place in Chinese as Chen-Chu that stands for
"lord of conflict or battle" as translation of Garjanpati, and its original name was
Garzapur.

30 feet high Ashoka Pillar of Mauryan Empire is situated in Latiya, a village 30 km

away from the Ghazipur city near Zamania Tehsil. This monument was declared as
the monument of national importance by the archaeological survey of India. This
place is now protected by the archaeological survey of India. In the Report of tours in
that area of 1871-72, Sir Alexander Cunningham wrote, "The village receives its
name from stone lat or monolith".

Profile of Varanasi Division 43

The district is well known for freedom fighters and army personnel. In the era of the
national movement for freedom, Swami Sahajanad Sarsawati, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed
Ansari, Sarjoo Prasad from the region greatly contributed to the nation. In the post -
independence period, the district gradually known for military personnel throughout
the country. The great soldier Veer Abdul Hamid recipient of India‘s highest military
decoration Param Veer Chakra, who sacrificed his life in Indo-Pak war of 1965.

Figure 2.4 : District Map of Ghazipur

Two blocks Saidpur and Jakhania in Ghazipur have been chosen randomly for the
survey. From the Saidpur block, children and teachers of primary schools along with
households, survey has been conducted in Budhipur and Rampur village. Muniyari,
Jakhaniya gram panchayatand Kaula villages have been covered in Jakhania block.

Table 2.4: Basic Profile Data of Ghazipur District

Total Population (In 000's) 3623 Area (In Sq.Km) 3377
Decadal Growth Rate 19.3% Blocks 16
Overall Literacy Rate 74.3% Child Population(0-6 Age) 14.87%
Male Literacy Rate 85.8% Urban Population 7.6%
Female Literacy Rate 62.3% Ratio of Primary to Upper Primary 1.64
Schools/Sections
Sex Ratio 951 Child Sex Ratio (0-6 Age)
% SC Population 20.1% % ST Population 0.8%
Source:- Census of India, 2001

Profile of Varanasi Division 44

Table2.4.1: Enrolment of students in Government Primary Schools in Ghazipur
District in 2016-17.
Category Boys Girls Total
1 - General 3544 3945 7489
2 - SC 34394 36800 71194
3 - ST 1578 1640 3218
4 - OBC 57627 67218 124845
Total 97143 109603 206746

Source;- BSA Office, Ghazipur

Figure 2.5 :Category wise enrolment of the student (in %) in Ghazipur

70

60.38
60

50

40
34.44

30

20

10
3.62
1.56
0
GEN SC ST OBC

Source : Category wise enrolment of the student (in %) in Ghazipur, based on the table 2.4.1

Profile of Varanasi Division 45

 Table2.5: District wise Enrolment of Students (Class I-V) in Varanasi Division.
Total Enrolment in
Year Jaunpur Ghazipur Chandauli Varanasi Varanasi Division
2002-03 517898 378633 197765 243843 1338139
2003-04 523708 394315 227206 287989 1433218
2004-05 567591 415793 239303 297422 1520109
2005-06 503994 435019 267879 313954 1520846
2006-07 546617 482641 257460 329444 1616162
2007-08 591731 448408 276799 317751 1634689
2008-09 604236 430005 265865 317851 1617957
2009-10 531414 393070 255311 318712 1498507
2010-11 365838 565222 402472 260005 1593537
2011-12 717247 559704 266943 338556 1882450
2012-13 700727 606781 376142 341890 2025540
2014-15 615659 543875 238673 329394 1727601
2015-16 582273 516224 241690 322018 1662205

Source;- U-DISE, NUEPA

Figure 2.6 Trend of Enrolment in Class (I-V) in

all the districts of Varanasi Division.

800000

700000

600000

500000
Jaunpur
400000
Ghazipur
300000 Chandauli
200000 Varanasi

100000

Source: - Based on table 2.5

Table2.6: Mean Enrolment and Variation in the districts of Varanasi

Profile of Varanasi Division 46

 Division………………………
Varanasi
Jaunpur Ghazipur Chandauli Varanasi Division

Mean of
566841 474591.54 270269.85 309140.69 1620843.07
Enrolment
Standard
89190.40 76116.81 57036.95 29515.02 181780.79
Deviation
Coefficient
15.73 16.04 21.10 9.55 11.21
of
Variation

As the figure shows that since the inception of SSA scheme, there are variations in
trend of total enrolment across the districts. Highest fluctuation occurred in Jaunpur
district followed by Ghazipur. On the other hand, Chandauli and Varanasi have least
fluctuations as compare to Jaunpur and Ghazipur.

Figure 2.7: Total Enrolment in Class (I-V) in Varanasi Division since 2002-03
2500000

2000000

1500000

1000000

500000

0
2002-032003-042004-052005-062006-072007-082008-092009-102010-112011-122012-132014-152015-16

Source: - Based on table 2.5

Overall performance of Varanasi Division in total enrolment of students at primary

level shown by figure 7. There is continuous increase in the enrolment since the

Profile of Varanasi Division 47

launch of SSA in 2001 while decline occurred in 2009-10 but after that enrolment
goes up. But after 2012-13 it again decline. It may be a cause of worry for
policymaker. From the field survey researcher has followed that many household
want to send their children in private schools due to better academic environment and
infrastructure.

Table 2.7: Educational Outcome and Learning Level

Division % % % % % %
/Region Children Children Children Children Children Children
(Age 6-14) (Age 6-14) who can who can at who can who can
not enrolled in read least do read Stdll do division
enrolled in private Stdlll level subtraction level text
school school text
2016 2018 2016 2018 2016 2018 2016 2018 2016 2018 2016 2018
Varanasi 1.2 2.1 54 52.2 42.2 45.4 41.7 44.7 70 70.1 40.8 44.2
Division
All U.P. 5.3 4.8 52 49.7 33.2 40.6 32.5 38.6 60.5 67.1 32.4 39.1

Source:- ASER 2018

The table shows Varanasi division outperforms Uttar Pradesh in almost every sphere
of the indicator.
There is need of a strong willpower to make government schools more attractive in
the region that revolutionise the education system. In this regard, example of Delhi
Govt‘s effort may be followed to make govt‘s schools more attractive at par with the
expensive private schools.

Profile of Varanasi Division 48