Agra was always Agra, even in the ancient times, says noted historian Irfan Habib

AGRA: The city of Agra was never known by any other name in historical annals, renowned historian Irfan Habib on Wednesday said while reacting to UP government's move to trace its ancient name. The state government has asked the Agra’s Bhim Rao Ambedkar University to examine if this city was known by any other name in ancient times. The move also triggered speculation that the Yogi Adityanath government is planning to rename Agra.
Habib slammed the UP government and its leaders for demanding changes to the names of Agra and Aligarh cities. The historian said that there was “nothing Muslim” in the word ‘Agra’, and hence there was no need to change it.
“Even in historical records, this city was always known by the same name. As far as Aligarh is concerned, it was never called Harigarh, as being claimed by BJP leaders,” he said.
“There is no need to change the name of Agra as there is enough historical evidence to suggest that the Taj city was always known by this name,” he said.
He told TOI that during Lodi period, Sultan Sikandar Lodi was the first to move his capital from Delhi to Agra in 1504. This was the period when it was populated.
Demands are also being made by Aligarh MP Satish Gautam to change the name of Aligarh to its ancient name ‘Harigarh’. The MP told TOI that the name of the city was changed by Mughals, and now, like other cities, Aligarh should also be rechristened by its “original” name.
Reacting to this, Habib said that Aligarh was known as ‘Kol’ in 13th century and its name was changed in 1803 by British. “The city was never known as Harigarh,” historian Habib said, adding that these are all concocted claims to mislead and divide the people on religious lines.
He added that the name of Allahabad was changed to Prayagraj, but it was originally ‘Prayag’. “The world ‘Raj’ was added by the government on its own,” he said.
Bhim Rao Ambedkar University has now constituted a committee to find the ancient name of Agra, following a letter from the local administration, vice-chancellor Arvind Dixit said.
Agra University spokesperson GS Sharma has told TOI, “Office of VC has received directives from the state government to look for historical evidence if Agra was known by Agravan or any other name. The head of the department of history, professor Sugam Anand, has been tasked by VC to conduct a research. He will look for substantial evidence and will submit a report.”
Notably, five-term local BJP MLA Jagan Prasad Garg, who died recently, had written to the CM last year, requesting him to rename the district as ‘Agravan’.