Khairabad, Sitapur

Khairabad is a historic town known as Khairabad Awadh. It was a famous seat of learning during the Mughal period. The Indian freedom fighter Maulana Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi belonged to this town. The town has been the abode of many Urdu poets and writers. It has a famous madrasa for female education known as Jamia Fatima Zehra.

The town is said to have been founded by Maharaja Khaira Pasi in the early 11th century. It was subsequently taken in possession by a Kayasth family. In later years, many rent-free grants of land were made to Muslims who came in large numbers during the reigns of Babur and Akbar, but these grants were all resumed by the Nawab of Oudh in the early 1800s. Before the above-mentioned Khaira Pasi's time, the place was known as Masichait (Masi Chitra) and was a place of pilgrimage as far back as the reign of the Bikramajit. The name still exists at the appellation of a tank, the waters of which are said to possess healing properties, and which is called "Maswasi Talao".[3]

It was a big trading centre, where Kashmiri shawls, jewels of Birmingham and elephants of Assam were traded. The East India Company arranged to export the handloom clothes manufactured in Khairabad and Dariyabagh.

During the 1857 Uprising, Maulana Fazl-e-Haq took an active part to get rid of the British from the country. Unfortunately, he was arrested and sentenced for life to the prison at Kalapani (Cellular Jail) on Andaman Island.

Presently the district is not very important from an industrial point of view, however there are five sugar mills and some flour mills and rice mills in the district. The district is mainly known for its cotton and woolen mats (durries). Laharpur and Khairabad are famous for its production and export. The Sitapur Eye Hospital began with a small Hospital at Khairabad. Its founder Dr. Mahesh Mehra was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri by the President of India for his self less service in the field of eye care. Father Gerard, an Italian Missionary, established the BCM Hospital which treats both indoor and outdoor patients. The Hospital is professionally run by the mission and serves people not only from the town but from also other towns and Sitapur city.

• Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi (1796–1861), Indian scholar and freedom fighter
• Muztar Khairabadi (1865 – 1927), Indian Urdu poet, grandson of Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi
• Jan Nisar Akhtar (1914–1976), Indian Urdu poet and film lyricist, son of Muztar Khairabadi and father of Javed Akhtar.