Allahabad ('city of God'), the seat of the government of the North-west Provinces of British India, occupies the fork of the Ganges and Jumna, thus forming the lowest extremity of the Doab, or the country of Two Rivers, 390 miles SE. of Delhi. The situation of Allahabad, at the confluence of the holy streams of India, besides giving the city its sacred appellation, has rendered it a much-frequented place of pilgrimage for the purposes of religious ablution. With the exception of a few ancient monuments of elaborate and tasteful workmanship, the native part of the city consists of mean houses and narrow streets; the European quarter is vastly superior. The nucleus of the city appears to have been the native fort, which, on the east and south, rises directly from the banks of both rivers, while towards the land its artificial defences are of great strength. The Europeans of the garrison occupy well-constructed barracks. Beyond the fort are the cantonments for the native troops. There are numerous handsome villas and bungalows, rendered still more attractive and agreeable by avenues of trees.
A stronghold has existed at the junction of the rivers from the earliest times, but the present fort and city were founded by Akbar in 1575. The Mahrattas held Allahabad from 1736 till 1750; the city and district were ceded to the British in 1801. On the 6th of June 1857, the insurrection, which had begun at Meerut on 10th May, extended to Allahabad. Though the Europeans continued to hold the fort, yet the mutineers were, for some days, undisputed masters of all beyond; and between the ravages of the maranders and the fire of the garrison, the city soon became little better than a heap of blackened ruins. General Neill arrived on the 11th, and recovered Allahabad on the 18th; Havelock arrived shortly afterwards.
The position of Allahabad renders it naturally a centre of commerce and civilisation. It commands the navigation both of the Ganges and of the Jumna. It is on the direct water-route between Calcutta and the Upper Provinces; and is a main station, not only on the Grand Trunk Road, but also on the East Indian Railway. The most noteworthy buildings are the great mosque and the Sultan Khossor's caravanserai—a fine cloistered quadrangle. The fort is of red stone, and is approached by a very handsome gate; it contains the famous pillar of Asoka (240 B.C.). Near by is the temple covering the undying banian tree; it is said to communicate with Benares by a subterranean passage, through which flows a third holy river, the Saraswati, visible only to the eye of faith. Allahabad possesses the gov- ernment offices and courts, Roman Catholic cathedral, Mayo Memorial and town hall, a free public library, an institute, post and telegraph offices, an hospital, theatres, bazaars, &c. The Muir Central College, instituted by Sir W. Muir, was opened in 1886; and a university, instituted in 1887, attracted 1700 students to its first entrance examination in 1889. A great fair is held annually in December and January, which lasts for a month, and is visited by about 250,000 persons. The cotton, sugar, and indigo produce of the fertile district of Allahabad is brought in large quantities into the city. There is a good local trade in gold and silver ornaments, and in European furniture. Allahabad is distant from Calcutta, by land, 564 miles, and 89 from Benares. The Indian National Congress has repeatedly held its sittings in Allahabad (as in 1888 and 1893). The town is a considerable mission centre. Pop. (1872) 143,693; (1881) 148,547; (1891) 175,246, of whom about 50,000 were Mohammedans.
ALLAHABAD district is 85 miles in length by 50 in breadth; area, 2833 sq. m. The district is mainly agricultural, is well watered, and vegetation is luxuriant. The pop. in 1891 was 1,548,737, almost wholly Hindus; the Mohammedans being about 200,000.—The 'division' of Allahabad has an area of 13,746 sq. m.