Varanasi is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities and has long been a major centre of religion, culture, education, and trade. By the 2nd millennium BCE, it was known for Vedic philosophy, silk, muslin, perfumes, ivory work, and sculpture. During the Buddha’s time, it was the capital of Kashi, with Sarnath nearby as the site of his first sermon.
Despite periods of decline and temple destruction under medieval Muslim rule, Varanasi experienced cultural revivals under Akbar and later the Marathas. It remained an important religious and commercial centre under British rule and became part of Uttar Pradesh after India gained independence in 1947.
