Massacre Ghat

Massacre Ghat
Satti Chaura Ghat, Kanpur, Ganges river.
Massacre Ghat Location in Uttar Pradesh
Name
Other names	Sati Chaura Ghat
Proper name	Massacre Ghat
Devanagari	सती चौरा घाट / मसकर घाट
Geography
Coordinates	26°27′32″N 80°22′51″E / 26.458759°N 80.380923°ECoordinates: 26°27′32″N 80°22′51″E / 26.458759°N 80.380923°E
Country	India
State	Uttar Pradesh
District	Kanpur Nagar
Location	Kanpur
Architecture
Number of temples	1

Satti Chaura Ghat or Massacre Ghat (Hindi: सती चौरा घाट / मसकर घाट, कानपुर Satī Caurā Ghāţ / Masakar Ghāţ, Kānpur) is a famous ghat (riverbank steps) in Kanpur city, the industrial hub of Uttar Pradesh in North India. It is located on the bank of River Ganges in Kanpur near Jajmau.

Geography

The ghat is located on the southern bank of River Ganges and marks the northern boundary of Kanpur city.

River Ghats have been a traditional part of Indian religious life. They have served religious and community gathering purposes. When located on holy rivers like River Ganges, they often have attached temples dedicated to deities of the Hindu pantheon.

Sati Chaura Ghat has been an important maritime boarding point for the river route from Kanpur to Allahabad from pre colonial period. In recent years, after the acquisition of the surrounding areas by Cantonment Board and private industrialists, it has receded in its traditional historical importance as the center of urban life in the old city of Kanpur.

History

Satichaura or embankment of satis had been a place years ago some women had committed sati and in commemoration a small temple with stone steps along the bank to facilitate bathing, had been built.

The origins of the ghat date to pre-colonial times.

It was at this location that the initial momentous events of Indian Rebellion of 1857, named as Siege of Cawnpore in British colonial records, took place. The ghat was renamed as Massacre Ghat after the rebellion.

The siege

This Ghat has become historically important since the Indian Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. On June 27, 1857, Kanpur (formerly Cawnpore) saw one of the grimmest stories of Indian history of independence. Around 300 British men, women and children were slaughtered at the Satti Chaura Ghat, later gaining identification as Massacre Ghat. Those who escaped the brutal fate that day were later killed at the Bibighar Massacre. The rebellion was believed to be led by Nana Sahib of Peshwa from which the Ghat was renamed as Nana Rao Ghat.

A contemporary image of the massacre at the Sattichaura Ghat

1858 picture of Sati Chaura Ghat on the banks of the Ganges River.

Attractions

Satya Ashrma Mandir at Satti Chaura Ghat, Kanpur, India

• A Hindu temple built in 1966.
• It attracts a lot of visitors from Kanpur city during the monsoon months when the River Ganges threatens to breach the banks.
• There is a sand pit / dangal (अखाड़ा) for kushti of local wrestlers. An annual wrestling competition is held during the months of July/August.
• It is a favorite haunt of a large population of Indian rhesus monkeys.

Maintenance and Sponsors

The ghat is under the charge of the Kanpur Cantonment Board. It is still in use as a bathing and ritual ghat for local population.

References