Firozabad (Uttar Pradesh): A proposal to change the name of Uttar Pradesh's Firozabad to Chandra Nagar was unanimously approved on Saturday by the newly elected Zila Parishad of Firozabad. The Sadar block Pramukh, Laxmi Narayan Yadav, who drafted the proposal, said that the ancient name of Firozabad was 'Chandwar Nagar' and Akbar had changed it to Firozabad in the 15th century.
In a report by IANS, Firozabad Zila Parishad chairperson Harshita Singh was quoted saying that the council will be sending a detailed recommendation to the state government in this regard.
"We will also pursue the matter with the state authorities to restore the original name of the district." Singh was quoted saying.
Firozabad is famous for its glassware, particularly bangles.
According to the official website of the Firozabad district administration, "the ancient name of this town was Chandwar Nagar" The website says that the name of Firozabad was given during the reign of Akbar by Firoz Shah, a military official of the Mughal emperor, in 1566.
"It is said that Raja Todarmal was passing through this town during a pilgrimage to Gaya. He was looted by robbers. At his request, Akbar sent Firoz Shah here. The tomb of Firoz Shah and ruins of Katra Pathanan is the evidence of this," the website further says.
The Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Congress district presidents have raised strong objections over the proposal.
The Samajwadi Party members said that the proposal was moved when none of the opposition members was present.
Reacting to the move, Congress district president Sandeep Tiwari said, "It is unfortunate that the ruling BJP members are not concerned about massive waterlogging, potholed roads, inadequate water and power supply in the district. However, they want to change the name of the district for political gains because elections are around the corner."
Meanwhile, noted historian and AMU professor emeritus Irfan Habib, conclusively said that there is no historical evidence that Firozabad was known as Chandwar Nagar.
According to him the name Firozabad came into being during the tenure of Firoz Shah Tughlaq. The point that Akbar changed the so-called ancient name of Firozabad is incorrect." he added.
The Yogi Adityanath government has already changed the name of Allahabad to Prayagraj, Faizabad to Ayodhya and Mughalsarai to Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Nagar.