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 AKB

15

a masjid, and from inscriptions on its walls, and also on the south face of the bridge it appears that these were built under the authority of the Emperor Akbar, under the supervision of Muhammad Muhsin, who was probably a nazim or qiladar, although this is not recorded, in the year of the Hijri 976, or a little more than three centuries ago. So that this bridge is of the same period as the forts of Allahabad, Agra and Attok, and the town of Fatehpur-Sikri, all built by Akbar, who was born in A. D. 1543, began to reign, when thirteen years of age, in 1556, and died on the 13th October 1605, or Hijri 1014.

The bridge

is still

in good preservation, having been repaired since the

and solidity may be judged from its age In order to secure the mosque from dilapidation, the usual artifice has been resorted to, of adding a verse to the inscription, calling down the wrath of Heaven on the heads of such of the faithful as neglect the repairs of this house of prayer. British rule.

and present

Its great strength

condition.

Akbarpur gives its modem name to the pargana, and is still the headquarters of a tahsil sub-division, the building being within the old fortress.-

The

occasion of Akbar's visiting this part of the country

—Nawab Kh^n

is

thus tradition-

Khdnan, the prime-minister sent

his favorite When the latter arrived slave Fahim, to Naipal, to purchase elephants. at Jaunpur, he was so struck with the place, that he determined to perpetuate his name in connexion therewith by building a bridge. He was told by the builders that he alone could bridge the Gumti who could pave the foundations with gold. Nothing daunted, Fahim deliberately flung some bags of money into the stream. The builders stayed his hand, and at once

ally related.

acknowledged that he was the man for the situation, and the work was commenced. When funds failed, Fahim addressed the wazir and procured more and when the bridge was completed, he wrote and said he had returned as far as Jaunpur, but he could proceed no further unless the

in person to ensure arrangements for the convoy of the elephants to Akbarabad. The Emperor did come, and saw for himself the great work that his slave had constructed, and he forgave the deception It is said that on his return to Agra, that had been practiced upon him. this part of Oudh, and then ordered the through passed Emperor the bridge, fort, and mosque of Akbarpur to be erected, and the town to bear

Emperor came

his

own name.

The pargana formerly contained the seven Tappas marginally mentioned. It originally consisted of

959 mauzas

and 8 chaks.

When Azamgarh wazir to

was ceded by the the British in 1801, 24

other mauzas

were

transferred to

Akbarpur from pargana Mahul of Azamgarh, and so it contained 983 mauzas and 8 chaks at annexation. These, under our settlement and operations, have now been reduced to 364 demarcated villages.

transfer