History of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India reads like a fascinating tale. Gorakhpur owes its name to ascetic Gorakshnath, who was a distinguished saint of 'Nath Sampradaya'. A celebrated shrine 'Gorakhnath' was built in his tribute at the same location where he practiced austerities.
According to Gorakhpur History, the ancient Gorakhpur comprised the districts of Azamgarh, Basti and Deoria, besides parts of Nepal tarai. These regions, which may be termed as Gorakhpur Janpad, had been a significant centre of Aryan civilization and culture.
Gorakhpur was a division of the celebrated kingdom of Koshal, one of the sixteen mahajanpadas of the 6th Century B.C. The first known monarch who ruled over this area was Iksvaku who founded Kshatriya, the solar dynasty. Iksvaku’s capital was at Ayodhya. It produced several famous kings till the accession of Ram, considered the greatest ruler of the solar dynasty. Since then, this place remained an important part of the former empires of Maurya, Kushana, Shunga, Harsha and Gupta dynasties. According to History of Gorakhpur, Mausen of Madan Singh, the Tharu king during 900-950 A.D. ruled over the city of Gorakhpur and its adjoining area.
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