Kasganj

Kasganj is a city, or nagar, and the district headquarters of Kasganj district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The district was formed by grouping three tehsils on 17 April 2008.[1] Kasganj, which lies in the historical region of Braj, was also known as "Khasganj" during Mughal and British periods. According to Imperial Gazetteer of India Vol. XV (1908) by William Wilson Hunter,[2] Kasganj came in the hands of James V. Gardner, who was employed by the Marathas and later by the British service. Gardner later died in Chhaoni, Kasganj.[3] Gardner's father Colonel William Linnaeus Gardner was also stationed there. William Gardner built his estate in Kasganj after retiring from the army. He also died in Kasganj, in July of 1835.[4] William and James Gardner belonged to the lineage of Baron Gardner of Uttoxeter, England. Famous writer and historian William Dalrymple came to Kasganj in search of Julian Gardner, heir to the English Barony, while researching for his book White Mughals.[5] The book Wanderings of a Pilgrim in Search of the Picturesque by Fanny Parkes gives details of her visits to Kasganj (then called "Khasgunge") and mentions the town and the Gardner family.[6]