BALLIA: Introduction

Ballia is a city with a municipal board in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh bordering Bihar. The eastern boundary of the city lies at the junction of two major rivers, the Ganges and the Ghaghara. The city is situated 140 km (87 mi) from Varanasi. Hindi, is the primary local language. Ballia was independent on 19 August 1942 and it was the first independent city of India.

The headquarters of the Ballia district are located here. Due to its significant contribution to the Indian independence movement, Ballia is also known as Bagi Ballia ("Rebel Ballia), because of Ballia got freedom twice , first time on 19 August , 1942 for one day and the second time with India.It has a bird century protected area Jai Prakash Narayan bird sanctuary. The other name of this is suraha Taal which is natural lake. Primarily foreign and local migratory birds flock to the Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary during the winter months. According to estimation approximately 10,000 birds of 15 species can be sighted in ‘Surha Taal’ the year round. They are the local residents of the sanctuary .During winters, with the arrival of the foreign and local migratory birds, it is estimated that this figure swells up to 200,000.

According to locals, the name Ballia was derived from the name of the sage Valmiki, the celebrated Hindu poet and the author of Ramayana. Valmiki resided here at one point, and the place was commemorated by a shrine (although it has long since been washed away). Another belief about the origin of the name is that it refers to the sandy quality of the soil, locally known as "Ballua" ('balu' meaning sand). It was initially called 'Balian', and was later transformed to Ballia. 

Contribution of Ballia to Hindi Literature is immense as many prominent scholars hail from Ballia such as Hazari Prasad Dwivedi, Bhairav Prasad Gupt and Amar Kant. Other notable persons belonging to the district are brother duo Baldev Upadhyaya, famous Sanskrit critic and Krishndev Upadhyaya, (Bhojpuri) scholar with works in Bhojpuri folk literature and Hindi litterateur Doodhnath Singh.Ballia is surrounded by two major river Ganges and Ghaghra (Saryu) that make this land more fertile.
Ballia is also considered as a holy Hindu city. It has big and small temples. Bhrigu temple in Bhrigu Ashram is considered to be a famous temple where Bhrigu Muni was supposed to reside. Bhrigu muni is the one who according to Hindu Mythology hit Lord Vishnu on his chest. Behind Bhrigu Ashram earlier River Ganges used to flow. Famous Dadri Mela (fair) is still held annually in winter season and people from all around the Ballia and neighboring districts come here to visit it. It lasts about a month.Ballia is also famous for "Sonadih ka mela" which is held every year in month of April for 15 days.

Ballia had distinguished freedom fighters who fought against British and managed to finish the British Raj from Ballia for few days from 19 August 1942 Under leadership of Chittu Pandey and others. Due to this, region Ballia also known as Baagi ballia (the rebel Ballia).
Notable political personalities from this district include Ram Nagina Singh, Ex-MP 1952 in ballia (Prajatantrik socialist party). Chandra Shekhar Known as the 'Young Turk' became Prime Minister on Nov. 10, 1990 and continued till June 21, 1991 (224 days). He was the 8th prime minister of the country. He was born and brought up in Ibrahimpatti village in Ballia district and also MP of Ballia when he became the prime minister. He was the longest serving MP of the ballia.
Mangal Pandey, the well known freedom fighter was also from this city and he was the 1st person to fire gun against English Govt.
Chittu Pandey, Murli Manohar, Tarkeshwar Pandey,Tripurari mishra , Gauri Shankar Rai and hundreds of leaders fought for independence during that period. Murli Manohar,Tarkeshwar Pandey and Gauri Shankar Rai were members of Lok Sabha and are no more. Sri Gauri Shankar Rai was member of UP Assembly, UP Council and as Member of Indian Parliament, he also represented India in UN General Assembly and Addressed UN General Assembly in Hindi,for the first time in history of United Nations.