Yogi Adityanath Credits Modern Infrastructure for Changing Azamgarh’s Image, Claims India Could Have Gained Independence in 1857 With Better Roads
Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh – Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while addressing a public gathering on Friday, made a striking historical claim during the inauguration of the Gorakhpur Link Expressway.
He stated that India might have secured independence from British colonial rule as early as 1857 had there been robust infrastructure — specifically a modern expressway — connecting Azamgarh to Patna at the time.
“If the Purvanchal Expressway had existed during the 1857 uprising, the people of Azamgarh would have rushed to support Veer Kunwar Singh, and the British could have been defeated then and there.
This country would have gained independence in 1857 itself,” Adityanath remarked, blending infrastructure development with historical imagination.
The Chief Minister’s comments were made during the inauguration of the 91-kilometre Gorakhpur Link Expressway, which connects with the 340-kilometre Lucknow-Ghazipur Purvanchal Expressway — a key highway corridor aimed at boosting development in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
He further announced that a six-lane expressway extending up to Patna in Bihar would soon be developed, further enhancing connectivity in the Purvanchal and Bihar regions.
Remembering Kunwar Singh: A Symbol of 1857 Resistance
In his speech, Adityanath paid tribute to Kunwar Singh, the revered freedom fighter and zamindar of Jagdishpur estate in Bihar, who played a pivotal role in the First War of Indian Independence in 1857.
Singh had taken charge of rebel soldiers stationed at Danapur (Patna) and led them to successfully capture Ara, the district headquarters.
Despite being injured, he showed extraordinary resolve by crossing the Ganga River and reaching Lucknow, the nerve centre of the rebellion. On his return journey, he even managed to capture Azamgarh.
However, facing renewed British pressure, he was forced to retreat and later died in Ara in 1858. His brother Amar Singh continued to wage guerrilla warfare against the British even after his death.
By invoking this historical episode, Adityanath underlined the importance of regional connectivity and suggested that had the people of Azamgarh been able to travel swiftly to Bihar, the course of history might have been different.
From ‘Atankgarh’ to a Symbol of Development
Shifting from historical reflection to present-day transformation, Yogi Adityanath strongly emphasized the rebranding of Azamgarh, a district that, according to him, was once plagued by an identity crisis and negative perceptions.
“There was a time, just eight years ago, when people hesitated to even mention the name of Azamgarh. The district was unfairly tagged as a hotbed of terrorism. Despite having produced two Chief Ministers for the state, Azamgarh was sidelined and stigmatized,” he said.
Adityanath credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and his own government’s efforts for steering Azamgarh onto the path of development, integration, and respect.
“Today, youths from Azamgarh are met with pride and admiration when they say where they are from. The fear and stigma are gone. Azamgarh is now recognized as a place of bravery, talent, and progress,” he added.
Warning to Miscreants and Reassurance to Citizens
In a pointed message to criminal elements and those allegedly involved in destabilizing the region in the past, Adityanath issued a stern warning:
“The days of insecurity are over for Azamgarh’s youth. Those who try to disrupt the peace and security of this region will be given a one-way ticket to hell. We have no tolerance for threats to the safety of our people,” he declared.
He also referred to the alleged past connections of some Azamgarh residents with underworld figures such as Dawood Ibrahim, saying that law enforcement and governance have now reclaimed the region from such influences.
In past years, the BJP and several Hindutva groups had derogatorily labeled Azamgarh as ‘Atankgarh’ (land of terror), accusing the district of being a “nursery of terrorism” due to its mention in various terrorism-related investigations.
However, Adityanath stressed that such stigmas have now been erased through strong governance, infrastructure development, and security reforms.
“Youth from Azamgarh were once automatically suspected when any terrorist incident occurred in the country. But this is no longer the case. The narrative has changed, and so has the identity of this great region,” he said.
Yogi Adityanath’s remarks symbolized a fusion of historical narrative, regional pride, and political messaging, rooted in the broader theme of transformational governance.
By tying the significance of infrastructure development to the aspirations of a historically stigmatized region, the Chief Minister attempted to reframe Azamgarh’s identity — from a so-called “troubled zone” to a symbol of patriotism, opportunity, and modern India’s progress.
