Barabasti facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Barahbasti
village
Country	India
State	Uttar Pradesh
District	Bulandshahr
Languages
• Official	Hindi
• Additional official	Urdu
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
Nearest city	Bulandshahr

Barahbasti or BarahBasti is a group of villages in the Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh, India. The name "Barahbasti" means "twelve settlements" in Hindustani. While it started with 12 villages, there are now more. These villages are close to each other, covering about seven square miles. Many Pathans live here, along with other Muslims and Hindus.

What are the Barahbasti Villages?

The name "Barahbasti" comes from "Barah Basti," which means "twelve settlements." These villages were once known as the "town of Pathans."

List of Villages

The original twelve villages are now spread across the districts of Bulandshahr, Ghaziabad, and Amroha. They include:

• Basi
• Giroura
• Bugrasi
• Jalalpur
• Chandiyana
• Gesupur
• Barwala
• Amarpur
• Sherpur
• Bahadurgarh
• Mohammadpur
• Khanpur
• Daulatpur Kalan

A Look at Barahbasti's Past

Barahbasti played a part in the Great Uprising of 1857. This was a major rebellion against British rule in India.

Role in the 1857 Uprising

In the Bulandshahr area, a leader named Walidad Khan led the rebels. His fighters included people from the Pathan community of the Khanpur Estate, which was the main village of Barahbasti.

Three important family members from the Khanpur Estate were involved in the uprising:

Azim Khan's Fight for Freedom

Azim Khan, also known as Azam Khan, was a key helper to Nawab Walidad Khan. Walidad Khan was related to the Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar. He was chosen to lead the fight against the British government.

When British forces attacked Malagarh on October 10, 1857, Azim Khan bravely fought back. He helped stop the British for several days. He was later caught and sadly, he was hanged.

Haji Munir Khan: A Brave Commander

Haji Munir Khan was Azim Khan's only son. He was a main commander for the rebels in Bulandshahr.

In a big battle at Gulaothi on July 29, 1857, Haji Munir Khan and Ismail Khan tried to stop the British. They set up a checkpoint to keep the British from entering Bulandshahr. Both Haji Munir Khan and Ismail Khan were badly injured.

Haji Munir Khan continued fighting alongside other rebel leaders until his last breath.

Abdul Latif Khan's Support

Abdul Latif Khan was Azim Khan's nephew. He was a very wealthy landowner in the district.

At first, Abdul Latif Khan refused to help the British. Later, he paid his taxes but then supported Bahadur Shah Zafar. He did not fight directly but gave shelter to many rebels.

Because he helped the rebels, Abdul Latif Khan was sent away for life to a place called Andamans, also known as "kala pani." After the uprising was crushed, the British took away his family's land.

Getting to Barahbasti

Barahbasti is about 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) from Delhi. You can reach it by road in about a two-hour drive from Delhi.

How People Make a Living

The main way people earn money in Barahbasti is through farming.

Mango Orchards

Barahbasti is famous for its many mango orchards. Lots of different types of mangoes grow here, like Dusseri, Bombayi, ChauLangda, Gulab-Jamun, Ratol, and Fajri. There are over 100 varieties of mangoes, many grown just for personal enjoyment.

The area sends a huge number of mangoes all over the country. The government of Uttar Pradesh has even called it a "fruit belt." Hundreds of trucks filled with mangoes go to markets like Azadpur Mandi in Delhi. Some of the best mangoes are even sent to countries in the Gulf and Europe.

Who Lives in Barahbasti?

Barahbasti has a mix of people, including Muslims and Hindus. It is especially known for having a large population of Pathans.

Famous People from Barahbasti

• Arif Mohammad Khan: He is from Barwala, one of the Barahbasti villages. He is currently the Governor of Kerala. He has also been a Civil Aviation Minister in the Indian government and a Member of Parliament (MP) multiple times.