Arail is a historic settlement that was the seat of the same-named pargana, which is located opposite the fort of Allahabad, on the right bank of the Yamuna, near its confluence with the Ganga (Sangam). Because of its location at the confluence of two rivers, many pilgrims visit the site to bathe during the great festivals.
It is clearly an ancient site, although nothing is known about its early history other than a few mentions in texts, such as the earliest mention of Arail in Sikandar Lodhi’s explorations when returning from Bihar.
According to medieval history, Arail was a form of holiday resort and pilgrimage site for the Baghela Rajas of Bhata (in Banda) and Gahora (later known as Rewa). They frequented this location and occasionally resided on its banks.
However, Arail’s most important record is related with Humayun’s life.
The Battle of Chausa was a significant military action between Mughal emperor Humayun and Afghan Sher Shah Suri. It took place on June 26, 1539, 10 miles southwest of Buxar in modern-day Bihar, India. Humayun attempted to win the fight by diplomacy, but due to Sher Shah’s crafty actions, practically the whole army of Humayun was destroyed in the night, and Humayun was forced to flee the battlefield to save his life. Sher Shah triumphed and was crowned Fard al-Dn Shr Shah.
The Emperor made it across the Ganges using an air-filled “water skin” and made it to Arail. At this point, Raja Birbhan, the ruler of Gahora at the time, came to his rescue, driving back the pursuing Afghan troops, entertaining the Emperor and his party at Arail for a few days, supplying them with the necessary provisions, assisting him in crossing the river, and escorting them to Kara, where Humayun finally felt at home. The Emperor, bereft of his family and money, was able to enter Agra in the second week of July 1539.
According to Humayun Nama, the only reason he made it to the imperial capital at all was because of the assistance provided on the route by Raja Birbhan of Arail.
Humayun Tomb & Ruins of Delhi
When Humayun reclaimed the throne after many years, he summoned Birbhan, who sent Dalpat, his sister’s son, to Humayun’s service and obtained a farman for the conferment of Bhojpur in his (Dalpat’s) favor. Since then, the Mughals have been grateful to the Baghelas for their kindness to the forefather.
Because of their assistance to his father in times of distress, Akbar was always thankful to the Baghela Chief. In CE 1569, Akbar handed Raja Ramcandra Baghela the pargana of Arail and Piyg (Prayga) along with its dependents as Jagir, calling the area Jalalabad Pargana. However, the name did not catch on. He is said to have repaired an old fort here, although there is no trace of it today.
Beni Madhav and Someshwar Nath are two well-known historic temples in Arail. According to the books, Aurangzeb made a rozinah grant to the Someshwar Nath Temple.
Aurangzeb visited the temple in 1674 during one of his journeys and made grants to it in the shape of land and money. The original firman for the rozina grant for the temple is in the custody of the pujari of Someshwarnath Temple.
During the Nawabi period, Arail was part of the region of Sirkar of Tirhut.
Except for the two temples, Arail today bears no resemblance to its historic past. It is quickly becoming a trans-Yamuna Allahabad satellite township.
The most recognized landmark today is the Naini road to Arail, which is frequently shot for its picturesque splendor.
References:
Muntakhab al Tawarikh – Badayuni
• Ain e Akbari – Abul Fazl
Humayun Nama – Gulbadan Begum
• The Life & times of Humayun Ishwari Prasad.
S.N Sinha, Subah of Allahabad under the Great Moghuls (1580-1707) page 118
• The Mughal Emperor Humayun – Rama Shankar Awasthi
