The Eternal City of Light: A Journey Through Varanasi’s History

Varanasi (also called Kashi or Banaras) is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. It sits on the western bank of the Ganges River in Uttar Pradesh, India, and has been a living center of religion, learning, trade, and culture for over 3,000 years.

Ancient Origins

Archaeological excavations at sites like Rajghat show continuous human settlement from around the 8th–9th century BCE, with some evidence pointing possibly earlier. In Hindu tradition, the city is known as Kashi (“the luminous one” or “City of Light”). Myths say Lord Shiva founded it and still resides here. It is considered one of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) of Hinduism and a place where dying can bring moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth).

By the 6th century BCE, Kashi was the capital of an important kingdom among the sixteen Mahajanapadas (great states) of northern India. It was already a thriving commercial and industrial center famous for silk, muslin, perfumes, ivory work, and sculpture. Nearby Sarnath is where the Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment, making the area sacred to Buddhists as well. Jain tradition also links the city to the birth of the 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanatha.

Classical and Early Medieval Periods

During the Mauryan Empire (3rd century BCE) and especially the Gupta period (4th–6th centuries CE), Varanasi flourished as a major center of learning, arts, and religion. Chinese traveler Xuanzang visited around 635 CE and described a prosperous city stretching along the Ganges with many temples and scholars. Shaivism (worship of Shiva) grew strong here, and the city became a key pilgrimage site. Temples and sacred spots multiplied, and it developed into a major tirtha (crossing place between the human and divine worlds).

Medieval Challenges and Revival

From the late 12th century, the city faced repeated invasions. In 1194, forces under Qutb-ud-din Aibak sacked Varanasi and destroyed many temples. Periods of Muslim rule under the Delhi Sultanate and later the Mughals brought destruction of Hindu temples, though some rulers like Akbar offered periods of relative tolerance and patronage. Aurangzeb ordered the demolition of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in 1669, and a mosque was built nearby.

Despite these setbacks, the city’s spiritual life continued. In the 15th–16th centuries, great Bhakti saints such as Kabir, Ravidas, and Tulsidas lived and worked here, enriching its literary and devotional traditions.

Modern Revival and Colonial Era

In the 18th century, Maratha rulers, especially Ahilyabai Holkar, rebuilt many temples and ghats. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple was reconstructed in 1780. Local rulers (the Kashi Naresh) also supported the city’s religious and cultural life. Under British rule (from the late 18th century), the city was known as Benares. It remained an important commercial and religious center. Banaras Hindu University was founded in 1916 by Madan Mohan Malaviya and became a major institution of learning.

Present Day

After India’s independence, Varanasi became part of Uttar Pradesh. Today it is a vibrant pilgrimage destination with more than 80 ghats along the Ganges, thousands of temples (including the famous Kashi Vishwanath), and continuous cremation rituals at places like Manikarnika Ghat. The city remains a living blend of ancient tradition and modern life, drawing millions of visitors each year for spiritual, cultural, and historical reasons.

Varanasi’s history is not just a sequence of political changes. It is the story of a place that has absorbed invasions, empires, and time itself while keeping its core identity as a sacred city of light, learning, and liberation.