Hin: जौनपुर jaunpur
‘The City of Jauna Khan’ – City/District, Uttar Pradesh.
From Jauna Khan and Per/Skt: pur, ‘city’, ‘settlement’
Jaunpur was founded in 1359 CE by Feroz Shah Tughlaq, who named it after his predecessor and adoptive father, Jauna Khan (Muhammad bin Tughlaq). The site had earlier settlements, but its prominence grew under the Jaunpur or Sharqi Sultanate (1394–1479), when it became a major cultural and architectural center.
Under the Sharqi rulers, Jaunpur was famed as the Shiraz of India, known for its Islamic scholarship, Persian culture, and Indo-Islamic architecture. The Sharqi Sultans built notable mosques, including the Atala Masjid, Jama Masjid, and Lal Darwaza Masjid, which exhibit a distinctive regional style.
In the 16th century, Jaunpur fell to the Lodhis and later the Mughals, who integrated it into their empire.
Today, Jaunpur is known for:
- Its architectural heritage, particularly the Sharqi-era mosques and bridges.
- Perfume (attar) production, a legacy of its medieval trade links.
- Handloom weaving, particularly of Banarasi silk sarees, due to its proximity to Varanasi.
- Agriculture, with rice, wheat, and oilseeds being major crops.
For related place names see Indian Place names and Uttar Pradesh place names.
