It has an average elevation of 80 metres (265 feet). The District of Mirzapur lies between the parallels of 23.52 & 25.32 North latitude and 82.7 and 83.33 East longitude. It forms a portion of the Varanasi district. On the north and north-east it is bounded by the Varanasi district; on the south bounded by Sonbhadra district; on the north-west by Allahabad district. The shape to the north and west is totally regular. In no direction, except for about 13 km. in the north-east where he the Ganges separates the Tehsil of Chunar from the district of Varanasi, has Mirzapur a natural frontier. The Chanvar fields, considered to be one of the most fertile lands tracts in India, are located on Gangetic flood plains of the district.Also, Indian Standard Time is calculated on the basis of 82.5° E longitude, from a clock tower in Mirzapur
The East India Company named this place as Mirzapore (??????????). The word Mirzapur derived from ‘Mirza’. The word Mirza is derived from the Persian term ‘Amirzade which literally means “child of the ‘Amir” or “child of the ruler” in Persia‘Amirzad in turn consists of the Arabic title ‘Amir (engl. Emir), meaning “commander”, and the Persian suffix -zad, meaning “birth” or “lineage”. Due to vowel harmony in Turkic languages, the alternative pronunciation Morza (plural morzalar; derived from the Persian word) is also used. The word entered English in 1595, from the French émir. The meaning of Mirzapore is the place of King. The name Mirzapore became Mirzapur after the freedom of India.
According to several facts, the Mirzapur was established by the British East India Company in 1735 while the civilization at here was found in 5000 BCE. As a proof of the existence of the lower Paleolithic age culture, the artifacts of prehistoric caves, the painted rocks and other evidences in the Belan River Valley (Belan River, Halia). Here we can find the evidences that are more than 17000 BCE. Some interesting petroglyphs in the sandstone of the Vindhya range are found in Morhana Pahar in Mirzapur district. The depictions of chariots, horses, weapons and people in these works have given rise varied interpretations and findings by historians.
A few miles away from this city is a site of pilgrimage to Hindus known as Vindhyachal where according to the mythology a part of Sati (an Avatar of Durga) fell. The river Ganges flows through this city. Other sites of pilgrimage include Kali Khoh (literally ‘the cave of the Goddess Kali’) where a statue of the Kali has a mouth formed in the shape of a cave, hence the name. Very close to the city is a waterfall.The city itself has many Ghats (steps to a river). There are a few cinema-halls. At first look the city appears to be a confluence of town, village and city life. Power supply in the city is now regular up to some extent.
Before the establishment of the town the area was dense forest and freely used by various states like Benaras (Varanasi), Sakteshgadh, Vijay Gadh, Naina Gadh (Chunar), Naugadh, Kantit and Rewa for Hunting. British East India Company has established this area to fulfill the need of a trading center between central and western India. This time Rewa was a well-established state of central India and was directly connected with Mirzapur by the Great Deccan Road. Over the time Mirzapur became a famous trading center of Central India and started trading of cotton, and silk at very large scale.
Kajari Mahotsava: It is among the famous festivals of Mirzapur. Respected all over India, kajali took birth here. King Kantit 9Naresh’s daughter Kajali loved her husband very much and sang songs in the moment of separation from her husband, although she could not meet her husband throughout her life and died, yet she remains alive through these deep sad-love songs. Her voice and songs impress Mirzapur locals very much, so they remember her through this festival paying homage to her.
Mirzapur pronunciation (help·info) is a city in Uttar Pradesh, India, roughly 650 km from both Delhi and Kolkata, almost equidistant(about 60 km) from Allahabad and Varanasi. Mirzapur has a population of 233,691 (2011 census) and is known for its carpet and brassware industries. The city is surrounded by several hills and is the headquarters of Mirzapur District.It was once the largest district in India.
As of the 2011 census, Mirzapur-cum-Vindhyachal municipality had a population of 233,691 and the urban agglomeration had a population of 245,817. The municipality had a sex ratio of 869 females per 1,000 males and 11.9% of the population were under six years old. Effective literacy was 78.25%; male literacy was 83.85% and female literacy was 71.80%.
Kantit Mela: Near Vindhyachal railways station, there is a Tomb of Hajrat KHWAJA ISMAIL CHISTI, who was related with KHWAJA MOIN-U-DIN CHISTI – AJMER, RAJASTHAN. In month of RAJJAB (Islamic month)on date 6th KANTIT MELA celebrated by local & outsider people, This MELA is symbol of BHAICHARA,all religious people are celebrated with Joy & Happiness.
Ojhala Mela: Ojhala is the current name of the Ujjvala River. A fair used to be arranged regularly here since 1920, which is a sign of bravery and the only place in India where betting is legal on the days of the fair. This has been discontinued since there is not enough water at the bridge for the various water sports that used to take place.
Festivals of the city: jeevitputrika (jutiya), Ganges Deshahara, lalahi chattha, shardiya and vasantik navratra, ojhala ka mela (a fair at the Ojhla Bridge), lohandi ka mela (fair), the famous Vindhya Mahotsava, horaha gaderi ka mela, litti bati ka mela, and maa bhandari ka mela (various fairs at different places on different occasions).
Most of the city was established by British officers, and so places are named after Britons like Wellesleyganj (Lord Wellesley), Mukeri Bazar (Lord Mercury), Dankeen Ganj (Mr. Danseen), and a famous waterfall of the city, Windham Water Fall (Mr. Windham). The building of Municipal Corporation was also built by the British Government.
The main business in Mirzapur is carpet manufacturing. Manufacturers range from very small (with less than $100,000 in assets) to medium sized (with around $10M in assets). Most of the carpets are sold internationally as India has a limited market for carpets. The second main business is of metal pots.Metal Pots (brass).
According to Central Statistical organisation the district of Mirzapur had an area of 4521 km2. At the census of 2001, the population of the district is 1657140 (males 1093849 and females 980860) of which 1788203 were living in rural and 286506 in the urban area of the district.
Lohandi Mela: 2 km south of Mirzapur an old temple of Lord Hanuman is decorated with light (ghee ke deeye) on kartik purnima and every Saturday in the month of Saawan , a big fair is arranged. The attraction is tattoo design.
Jhoolanotsava: In the month of Saawan celebrated by locals during rain, this Jhoolanotsava is celebrated with swings in the branches of trees for five days. Shree Dwarkadheesh Temple, Ganga Jamuna Saraswati Temple and Kunj Bhawan are decorated at the Rakshabandhan festival.
Indian Standard Time is calculated from the clock tower in Mirzapur which is nearly exactly on the reference longitude of Indian Standard Time at 82.5°, within 4 angular minutes, a property shared by Tuni, a town in Andhra Pradesh.
Vindhyavasini Jayanti Samaaroh: Started in 1971, this musical program is arranged by the Government where renowned Indian vocal and folk artists give real presentations and worship the goddess Vindhyavasini.
Deep Mahotsava: Celebrated on the day of Diwali, all the Ganges ghats are decorated with lights (ghee ke deeye); locals have immense pleasure celebrating this on kartik amavasya.
There are some rock paintings in Mizapur district. Hasauli is the first ever nirmal village which was awarded by president A.P.J Abdul Kalam,and its also famous for its Handicrafts.