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After the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, the
references to the district become more frequent. The decay of the Mughal empire
led to the establishment of several independent principalities in north India of
which was the territory of Farrukhabad which played an important part in the
subsequent history of the district.
In 1665 was born at Mau-Rashidabad (a suburb of Kaimganj) Pathan child, who was
named Mohammad Khan. When he was 20, Mohammad Khan joined the bands of Pathan
freebooters. At the emperor Farruksiyar's invitation to join forces with him to
suppress his cousin Jahandar Shah, he joined him. when Jahandar Shah was
defeated Mohammad Khan was rewarded and received the title of Nawab. After
having successfully commanded he obtained leave to return home where he founded
the towns of Kaimganj and Mohammadabad. The first name after his eldest son, is
not far from Mau-Rashidabad. Mohammadabad (about 23 km. from Farrukhabad) which
he named after himself. On a high mound called Kal-ka-khera, he built a fort, of
which only the ruins now remain. It is said that Farrukhsiyar became angry when
he heard that Mohammad Khan had founded a town in his own name. To abate his
benefactor's wrath, the nawab announced his intention of founding another town
which he would name after the emperor. Mohammad Khan asked for and obtained a
grant of fifty two Bamtela villages as the site of the new city which he named
FARRUKHABAD after Farrukhsiyar, the foundations which were laid in 1714.
Ahmad Khan, Mohammad Khan's second son was chosen leader of the revolt. Ahmad
Khan was made Amir-ul-umra and imperial pay-master, served the emperor well at
the battle of Panipat. In 1769 the Marathas again made their appearance under
Mahdaji Sindhia and Holkar and attacked Farrukhabad. Hafiz Rahmat whose
territory in Etawah was also threatened, joined hands with Ahmed Khan and
encamped between Fatehgarh and Farrukhabad. Ahmad Khan died in July 1771. Shah
Alam was then at Kannauj and decided to resume the Farrukhabad territory. In
1773 Shuja-ud-daula succeeded in expelling the Marathas, the south parganas of
the district included all Farrukhabad south of Kali Nadi except Chibramau. From
1780 to 1785 a British resident was appointed in the district, probably at
Fatehgarh. Warren Hastings has also promised to withdraw the resident of
Farrukhabad, but did not do so. From the early part of 1857, there had been
great excitement in the district as rumours that the government was issuing
leather rupees coated with silver in order to depreciate the currency and to
destroy casts. The freedom struggle started in Meerut on May 10 and the news
reached Fatehgarh on the 14th. At Fatehgarh (a few km. from Farrukhabad) was
posted the 10th Indian Infantry, Commanded by (Colonel) Smith.
On June 1, the officer of Aligarh Police Station rode into Fatehgarh with the
information that there was uprising in the trans gangetic parganas under the
freedom struggle. The two regiments marched up the Grand Trunk Road through
Gursahaiganj and Chibramau, sacking the police stations at these places. On 18th
the Avadh freedom fighters entered the Fatehgarh regiments lines. By Sept. 1857,
Delhi was back in British hands which completely changed the fate. Niyaz
Mohammad evaded capture for many years by taking to a life of wandering in the
course of which he visited Mecca many times. The close of the 19th century saw
the rise of the activities of the Arya Samaj in Farrukhabad and other towns. The
20th century saw the down of nationalism in the country. During the anti
partition of Bengal agitation of 1905, public meeting, strikes and protests were
held. Mohan Das Karam Chand Gandhi the great nationalist leader's movement for
boycotting foreign goods also went ahead.
The non-co-operation movement started by Mahatma Gandhi in August,1920 also had
its impact in the district. Meeting and Hartals were held at Farrukhabad,
Fatehgarh, Kampil, Shamsabad, Kannauj, Indergarh and other towns. In 1928 a
complete Hartal was held, large number of people staged demonstrations by
marching in procession, waving black flags and carrying banners with the words
"GO BACK SIMON." In 1930, the civil disobedience movement was started in
Farrukhabad. Salt was also manufactured at Sikandarpur, Bholepur, Chibramau and
Kannauj. En route from Kanpur on Nov.30, 1931 Jawahar Lal Nehru was met at each
station in the district by large crowds. Subhash Chandra Bose visited
Farrukhabad on Jan.25,1940. He made a violent speech. On Aug.15,1947 the country
was liberated from alien rule. The district also remembers those of its people
who participated in the struggle for freedom.
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