The city of Ghaziabad, located near Delhi in the National Capital Region, is reportedly on the verge of a renaming process, adding to the list of places in Uttar Pradesh that have undergone such changes. The initiative has been sparked by demands from Hindu outfits in the state, and the proposal to rename Ghaziabad is expected to be discussed in a board meeting on January 9.
Sanjay Singh, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillor representing ward number 100, presented the proposal on January 8. The civic body of Ghaziabad has included this proposal on the agenda for the January 9 board meeting. With the BJP enjoying a comfortable majority in the civic body, there appears to be no significant obstacle in proceeding with the renaming process.
Two potential names have been suggested in the proposal – Gajnagar and Harnandi Nagar. Gajnagar refers to an area connected with elephants, while Harnandi Nagar is named in resonance with the Hindon River, which flows past the city. Sanjay Singh emphasized the historical significance of Ghaziabad and expressed the view that it is time for the city to be accorded its rightful place.
Ghaziabad Mayor Sunita Dayal stated that this is the first time the matter will be discussed at the executive level. While requests for renaming places are not uncommon, this marks the first instance where such requests will be officially entertained at the executive level. The head priest of Dudheshwar Nath temple, Mahant Narayan Giri, has been a prominent advocate for renaming Ghaziabad. Two years ago, Mahant Narayan Giri met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and submitted a memorandum, suggesting names like Gajprastha, Dudheshwarath Nagar, or Harnandipuram for Ghaziabad.
Mahant Narayan Giri’s suggested names draw inspiration from the Mahabharat, an epic that has historical connections with the region. Explaining his choice, he mentioned, “In Mahabharat, the area that is Ghaziabad today was once a part of Hastinapur, just 40km from here. This was a forested area and home to many wild animals like elephants. Since Gaj means elephant, the name Gajpura or Gajnagar may be apt.”
Ghaziabad, as it is known today, has a historical context dating back to the 18th century. The Uttar Pradesh District Gazetteers of Meerut, a government record published in 1966, mentions the presence of elephants in the region. The Gazetteer states, “Both in the Mahabharata and the works of Kalidasa, there is mention of huge and dense forests to the north of Hastinapur where it appears elephants lived in large numbers.”
The proposed renaming of Ghaziabad is part of a broader trend in Uttar Pradesh, where several places have undergone name changes in recent years. In 2018, Allahabad was renamed Prayagraj, and in 2021, Faizabad junction became Ayodhya Cantonment. The renaming trend has continued, with Jhansi railway station being renamed Veerangana Laxmibai Railway Station. Additionally, in December 2023, the Union Home Ministry approved changing the names of Mundera Baazar in Gorakhpur district to Chauri-Chaura and Telia Afghan village in Deoria district to Telia Shukla.
The renaming of places often involves historical and cultural considerations, and the proposed changes reflect the intersection of contemporary demands with the region’s rich heritage. As the discussion around renaming Ghaziabad unfolds, it remains to be seen how the civic body and authorities weigh historical significance, public sentiment, and practical implications in arriving at a decision.
