Garrydum at 23:05, 30 January 2026

2026-01-30T23:05:12Z

New page

{{Short description|Biographical account of Prayagraj}}
{{Orphan|date=January 2026}}
{{Infobox book
| italic title =
| name = A for Prayagraj
| image = A for Prayagraj.jpg
| image_size =
| border =
| alt =
| caption =
| author = Udbhav Agarwal
| audio_read_by =
| title_orig =
| orig_lang_code =
| title_working =
| translator =
| illustrator =
| cover_artist =
| country = [[India]]
| language = [[Indian English]]
| series =
| release_number =
| subject = [[Historical]], [[Biographical]]
| genre = [[Non-fiction]]
| set_in =
| publisher = [[Aleph Book Company]]
| publisher2 =
| pub_date =
| english_pub_date =
| published = 10th August, 2021
| media_type =
| pages = 128
| isbn = 9789390652723
}}

'''''A for Prayagraj''''' is a 2021 book by [[Indian people|Indian]] writer Udbhav Agarwal.<ref name=":1" /> Udbhav is a [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] candidate at [[Johns Hopkins University]] in [[Baltimore]], [[Maryland]], and previously completed his schooling at the [[The Doon School|Doon School]] and his undergraduate degree at the [[Vassar College]] in [[Poughkeepsie, New York|Poughkeepsie]], [[New York (state)|New York]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-30|title=Udbhav Agarwal {{!}} Aleph Book Company|url=https://www.alephbookcompany.com/authors/udbhav-agarwal/|access-date=2022-02-08|website=Aleph Book Company {{!}}|language=en}}</ref> This is his first book, providing a [[Biography|biographical]] account of [[Allahabad|Prayagraj]], formerly known as [[Prayagraj|Allahabad]], and its eventual name change.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2021-10-08|title=Review: A for Prayagraj: A Short Biography of Allahabad by Udbhav Agarwal|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/reviewa-for-prayagraj-a-short-biography-of-allahabad-by-udbhav-agarwal-101633693896590.html|access-date=2022-02-08|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Agarwal |first=Udbhav |date=2021-07-23 |title='A for Prayagraj': This biography of Allahabad is a modern story of an old city |url=https://scroll.in/article/1000861/a-for-prayagraj-this-biography-of-allahabad-is-a-modern-story-of-an-old-city |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Scroll.in |language=en}}</ref>

==Summary ==
''A for Prayagraj'' is part travelogue and part memoir, portraying various stories of the erstwhile [[Prayagraj|Allahabad]] through the eyes of a former resident. The author, born and raised in the city revisits his childhood memories throughout the book.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-28|title=A For Prayagraj: A Short Biography of Allahabad {{!}} Aleph Book Company|url=https://www.alephbookcompany.com/book/a-for-prayagraj-a-short-biography-of-allahabad/|access-date=2022-02-08|website=Aleph Book Company {{!}}|language=en}}</ref> Over the span of 128 pages, he meets various people such as lawyers, theatre artists, and former and current residents to share with readers stories that have been lost to time. He describes how the city has transformed over the years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Agarwal |first=Udbhav |date=2022-01-22 |title="A for Prayagraj": This book presents a short biography of Allahabad |url=https://www.thedispatch.in/a-for-prayagraj-this-book-presents-a-short-biography-of-allahabad/ |access-date=2022-03-13 |website=The Dispatch |language=en-US}}</ref> The book explores various subcultures in the city, along with its vices such as crime and street law. It also delves into other aspects, including education and unemployment.<ref name=":0" /> Throughout the book, we learn how one of India’s oldest cities, with a past both glorious and grim, is rapidly undergoing urbanization. From 'tent city' to the holy rivers, from crime to romance, the author covers every aspect of Prayagraj.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A For Prayagraj: A Short Biography of Allahabad |url=https://www.ompublications.in/product/books/OM51393 |access-date=2022-03-13 |website=www.ompublications.in}}</ref> This rapid change is, in the words of the author, rendering years of historical importance into 'a battleground of historical clichés.' Yet, as we find in the book, traces of the city’s glorious past still remain, both in its landscape and in the hearts and minds of its residents.<ref name=":0" /> This biography of Allahabad tells the modern story of an ancient city.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Agarwal|first=Udbhav|title='A for Prayagraj':|url=https://scroll.in/article/1000861/a-for-prayagraj-this-biography-of-allahabad-is-a-modern-story-of-an-old-city|access-date=2022-02-08|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Reception ==
Kinshuk Gupta of the ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' commented on the book, saying ''"''Udbhav Agarwal’s precise detailing brings forth Allahabad-Prayagraj’s contradictions, its past slowly pushed to the corner by bustling malls even as its residents jostle hard to move out."<ref name=":0" />

Alok Rai of ''[[India Today]]'' stated, "Allahabad might have changed its name, but a new book shows that the iconoclastic spirit of its youth remains resolute."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2022-01-14 |title=Book review: 'A For Prayagraj' by Udbhav Agarwal |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/leisure/story/20220124-book-review-a-for-prayagraj-by-udbhav-agarwal-1900157-2022-01-14 |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Indian books]]
[[Category:Aleph Book Company books]]
[[Category:2021 non-fiction books]]
[[Category:English-language non-fiction books]]

A for Prayagraj - Revision history

Garrydum at 23:05, 30 January 2026