"Pakka Ghat" The Glory Of City Mirzapur.

From remote past till today, Mirzapur which is situated at the foothills of ancient Vindhya rages has been the centr of religion, culture and arts. It has been well known during British period as Mini-Bombay as it was also the industrial centre for the production of 'lakh', Chapda, cotton, brass and carpets. While the first four have now been vanished, the carpet is at the brink of extinction atleast here in Mirzapur. Being core of industries, Mirzapur was well developed and the historic Pakka Ghat is the remnant symbol of the glory of the Mini-Bombay of central provinces.

Nowhere in the country has been a 'ghat' so glorious been constructed as if its were a royal palace. Constructed in three stories, the archeological artistry of building is marvelous. It was constructed under the care and guidance of best artists of the time. Mr. Nabalak Sao, the son of Baboo Benimadhav Prasad, got it constructed in the year 1872 and at that time its cost was one lakh eighty two thousand. At that time the workers were paid 10 to 15 kauris. This detail was provided by Mr. Sharda Shankar alias Bachcha Baboo, the descendant of Nabalak Sao.

A series of ghats was developed during eighteenth centuray on the banks of river Ganga. Badali Ghat, Elliot Ghat, Sunder Ghat and Naar Ghat were the places where cargo from all over India was brought and sent day and night. These ghats are now neglected both byy public and city administration. The heat of the sun, rains and cold weather have caused havoc to the ghats specially the historic Pakka Ghat.

Baboo Nabalak Sao was the richest businessman of the city during the 18th centuary. He also got constructed the famous Nabalak Sao Ka Tabela.

The roads which lead to Pakka Ghat pases through the rich localities and prosperous ghats with superfluous profitable bisiness centres at the time. The statues have sharp angles and deep expressions of joy when seen from close ranges and from distance they seem to have a living entity. There are baradaries and wide corridors which give a wide glimpse of chowk. The reputed persons of that time gathered here in the evening. But now its pillars and baradaries are in pitiable broken condition. The floods as well as people have damaged it. The freedom fighters has their hiding places here. Literary persons of India fame like Baratendu Harishchand, Badri Narayan Chaudhary 'Premghan', Bechan Sharma 'Ugra', Matwala Ji and many others had their regular sittings here on Pakka Ghat. Just attached to it there is Sankatha Ghat. It had also the glorious dry but now its valuable architecture has been sold to businessmen. If the Archeology Department takes over the charges of these ghats, perhaps the glory of this ancient monument may be regained. Now some scoundrels are also misusing these ghats for sexual and criminal nuisances. Boating in moon light is common from here. The foreigners frequently visit this ghat and take photographs for reference. The city administration, Archeological Department and the public can only save the glory of the ancient glory of Mirzapur.