Gorakhpur is the 24th largest hindi speaking city of India with a total population of 6,70,000. The district has 52% Agricultural workers, 41% workers in Industry and services and 7% Household workers. Gorakhpur is a good agricultural belt with rich quality of soil as it is located on the banks of the River Rohani and River Rapti (known as Airavati in the ancient period) , a Ganges tributary originating in Nepal. Highest employment in Gorakhpur is in Agriculture (Sugar, Food crops), Textiles and in the Surgical industry. Located at about a distance of 123 km from Buddhas birth site in Lumbini in Nepal, the history of Gorakhpur goes back to the Buddhist period with many Buddhist sites been found in the district. It is believed that Buddha gave up his princely life at the confluence of the Rivers Rapti and Rohani. Gorakhpur was a part of the kingdom of Koshal, one of sixteen mahajanpadas in the 6th Century B.C. It remained an integral part of the Maurya, Shunga, Kushana , Gupta and Harsha dynasties. Thereafter, the region was under the invasion from muslim rulers, from Qutub-Ud-Din Aibak to Bahadur Shah. The Nawab of Awadh transferred the region to the East India Company in 1801, as a result of which “Gorakhpur District” was created. Gorakhpur derives its name from the renowned saint, Gorakshanath, the chief disciple of the Yogi Matsyendranath. Together, they founded the Nath Sampradaya line of saints. Gorakhnath Temple is said to stand on the spot where Gorakshanath practiced Hatha Yoga. Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil and Bandhu Singh from Gorakhpur are known for their contribution to Indias freedom movement. The Chauri-Chaura incident was also an important episode that took place in this district.. The city is famous for Hathkargha, a type of hand operated loom. Gorakhpur is also identified with the Gita Press, one of the oldest publishers of spiritual books in India.
