The Yogi Adityanath government approves the renaming, triggering debate over heritage, identity and the continued renaming of historic places
LUCKNOW — Instead of addressing pressing public concerns such as education, employment, health, and infrastructure development, several state governments run by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or its allies are more concerned with changing the Muslim-sounding names of cities and regions.
Following the pattern, the Uttar Pradesh government has approved the renaming of Jalalabad in Shahjahanpur district as Parshurampuri, marking another change in the name of a historic town associated with the Mughal era.
The decision was approved during a state cabinet meeting chaired by Yogi Adityanath on Monday. The move follows a long-standing demand from several Hindu organisations and local groups who argued that the town’s identity should reflect its association with Hindu religious traditions.
The latest decision adds to a series of renaming exercises carried out by the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh in recent years, many of which have involved places with Persian or Urdu names linked to India’s medieval and Mughal history.
Officials said the new name, Parshurampuri, recognises the area’s connection with Parashurama and the presence of ancient religious sites in the region.
The town is known for a temple dedicated to Parashurama and his mother Renuka. It is also home to Ram Tal, a site considered important by many devotees.
The state government has already granted tourist destination status to the Parashuram Dham complex and is reportedly investing around ₹20 crore in the development and beautification of the site.
Supporters of the renaming say the new name better reflects the region’s religious and cultural heritage.
The renaming process was initiated well before the latest cabinet approval.
Last year, the Uttar Pradesh government formally proposed changing the name of Jalalabad to Parshurampuri. The proposal was reportedly submitted to the state government by the then Shahjahanpur District Magistrate, Dharmendra Pratap Singh.
Following the proposal, the state sought a no-objection certificate from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
According to officials, the ministry approved the proposal on 20 August 2025. The matter was subsequently processed through the Urban Development Department before being placed before the state cabinet for final approval.
The renaming has also drawn attention because of Jalalabad’s historical significance.
Historians trace the establishment of the town to around 1560 during the reign of Akbar, whose full name was Jalal-ud-Din Muhammad Akbar.
Historical accounts suggest that the town derived its name from the emperor and developed as an important administrative and military centre during the Mughal period.
Located near routes connecting Delhi, Awadh and Bengal, the area served as a strategic point for the movement and deployment of Mughal forces.
Under Akbar’s administrative reforms, the region became an important centre of governance, helping it gain prominence in northern India.
The government’s decision has generated mixed reactions among residents, historians and political observers.
Supporters have welcomed the move, saying it honours local religious traditions and historical beliefs associated with Parashurama.
Critics, however, argue that changing long-established place names linked to India’s medieval past risks erasing layers of the country’s shared historical heritage.
Some historians note that place names often reflect multiple periods of history and culture and should be preserved as part of the historical record.
Others have questioned whether renaming exercises address pressing public concerns such as education, employment and infrastructure.
The renaming of Jalalabad follows a broader pattern seen in Uttar Pradesh over recent years, where several cities, towns, roads and public institutions have been given new names associated with Hindu religious or cultural figures.
Supporters of these changes describe them as efforts to reclaim indigenous heritage, while critics see them as attempts to reshape historical narratives and reduce the visibility of India’s Muslim and Mughal past.
For many residents of Jalalabad, the town’s official identity may now change to Parshurampuri, but its long and layered history—from ancient religious traditions to the Mughal period—will continue to remain part of its story.
