Faizabad, the seat of administration of
Faizabad District, is an old town situated on the banks of
Sarayu River, 130 km to east of
Lucknow, in
Uttar Pradesh. It is a major industrial town and an agricultural trade center in the district. Its sister city, the
Hindu pilgrimage site of
Ayodhya, is located just across the river.
The origin of Faizabad dates back to AD 1730. It was founded by Ali Vardi Khan, the then Nawab of Bengal, though the foundation was laid by Saadat Khan. Shuja-ud-daula, the third Nawab of Awadh, made it as the capital of Awadh. The city attained the peak of its glory during his reign. The Chowk, Anguribagh and Motibagh to the south of Faizabad and Asafbagh and Bulandbagh to the west were constructed by him. Gulab Bari, Moti Mahal and the tomb of Bahu Begum, from the top of which one could get a panoramic view of the city, stand testimony of those golden days. The glory of Faizabad started declining by the early 19th century, and was eclipsed completely with the shifting of the capital to Lucknow by Nawab Asaf-ud-daula.
Other places worth visiting in Faizabad include the Khurshid Mahal, Maqbara, Guptar Ghat,
Hanuman Garhi and Dilkusha. Southeast of Faizabad is the town of Tanda, renowned for its hand loomed cotton cloth industry.
Nearest airport is at Lucknow. Faizabad Junction Railway Station is a prominent railhead of the district.
National Highway 29 passes nearby.
