Ghazipur District, constituted as a separate district in 1818, appears in the eastern part of the Varanasi division. It lies to the east and north of the
Jaunpur and
Varanasi districts respectively. Ghazipur is divided from
Bihar state by the
Ganges and Karmnasa rivers.
Bhojpuri is the common language among the people.
During the Vedic period, Ghazipur was covered with dense forest and there were a number of saints living in ashrams. Legend says that the ancient rishis, Gautam and Chyavan were educated here. This place was visited by the Chinese traveler,
Hieun Tsang who had described it as Chanchu which means 'The Land of Battle Fields'. Ghazipur remained as the main center in the medieval period from Sultanate period to
Mughals. It also played an important part in the Indian National Movement. Mangal Pandey, who was the hero of the 1st Freedom movement (referred to as Sepoy Movement) belonged to this place.
Dhobia and Poorbi Nautanki are the folk dances. The prime attractions are Bahadurganj, Aunrihar, Bhitari, Zamania, and Gauspur.
