Many people know Prayagraj as the city that was earlier called Allahabad. But a very common question is:
What was Prayagraj called before Allahabad?
The answer takes us back to ancient India, long before the Mughal period. The city’s older names are closely connected to the rivers Ganga and Yamuna, the sacred meeting point at Sangam, and India’s cultural and religious traditions.
In this article, you will learn:
- The original ancient name of Prayagraj
- Why and when the name Allahabad came into use
- What Prayag and Prayagraj mean
- A simple timeline of the city’s name changes
The Name of Prayagraj Before Allahabad
Before it was known as Allahabad, the city was traditionally called Prayag (Prayaga).
According to commonly available historical summaries, Prayag is the ancient and traditional name for the region. The name is linked to the city’s identity as a holy place because it is home to the Triveni Sangam, where the rivers Ganga and Yamuna meet, and the Saraswati is believed (in tradition) to join invisibly.
So, in simple words, Prayagraj was known as Prayag before it was called Allahabad.
What Does Prayag Mean?
The word Prayag comes from Sanskrit and is commonly explained as:
- a place of sacrifice
- a sacred site for religious rituals
- an important spiritual location due to the river confluence
In Indian tradition, Prayag is not only a city name. It also represents a sacred confluence, which is why this place was respected across India for centuries.
Why Did Prayag Become Allahabad?
The name changed during the Mughal period.
According to widely shared historical accounts, Mughal emperor Akbar developed the region and built a fort due to its strategic importance. During this time, the city began being referred to as Ilahabas or Ilahabad. Over the years, this name became commonly known as Allahabad.
Many explanations also describe Ilahabad or Allahabad as meaning “abode of God.”
So the name shift can be understood like this:
- Ancient name: Prayag
- Mughal-era name: Ilahabas or Ilahabad
- Later common name: Allahabad
What Is the Meaning of Prayagraj?
A lot of people ask: if it was Prayag, why is it Prayagraj now?
The modern name Prayagraj is often interpreted as:
- Prayag + Raj
- meaning “King of Prayags” or “the greatest Prayag”
This matches the traditional belief that Prayag is the most important among sacred river confluences.
Timeline of Name Changes
Here is the simplest timeline to remember:
- Ancient period: Prayag
- Mughal period: Ilahabad or Allahabad
- Modern official name: Prayagraj
When Did Allahabad Become Prayagraj?
The renaming from Allahabad to Prayagraj happened officially in 2018, when the Uttar Pradesh government approved the change.
Even before 2018, the word Prayag remained popular in religious and cultural use. For example:
- Sangam traditions often use the term Prayag
- Kumbh Mela culture strongly connects the city with Prayag
- many people continued using Prayag in everyday religious references
Why Prayag Never Disappeared from People’s Language
Even when the official name was Allahabad for many decades, the older identity stayed alive because:
- Prayag is directly linked to the spiritual importance of Sangam
- it appears in traditional references
- pilgrims and religious visitors continued using the name Prayag
That is why Prayagraj feels like a return to the city’s older cultural identity.
FAQs
What was Prayagraj called before Allahabad?
Before Allahabad, Prayagraj was called Prayag.
Who changed the name from Prayag to Allahabad?
The name Allahabad is linked to the Mughal period, especially during Akbar’s time.
Is Prayag and Prayagraj the same?
Yes. Prayag is the ancient name, while Prayagraj is the modern official name.
When was Allahabad renamed Prayagraj?
Allahabad was officially renamed Prayagraj in 2018.
Conclusion
Before Allahabad, Prayagraj was called Prayag. The name Prayag is ancient and strongly connected to the Triveni Sangam and India’s spiritual traditions. Later, during the Mughal era, the name changed and became Allahabad. In 2018, the city officially became Prayagraj again, bringing back its older historical identity.
Maharshi Kushwaha is the founder of Prayagraj Portal, a digital platform dedicated to providing accurate news, city updates, culture, education, tourism, jobs, events, and essential services related to Prayagraj (Allahabad). Though he is not originally from Prayagraj, he frequently visits the city and works closely with a strong local team to ensure authentic and responsible reporting. A passionate digital creator and youth entrepreneur, he focuses on building meaningful platforms that promote information access, youth engagement, and community development. His vision is to make Prayagraj Portal one of the most trusted and impactful digital sources for everything related to Prayagraj.
