Ayodhya

Ancient city in Uttar Pradesh state, northern India, situated on the banks of the Ghaghara River, 135 km/84 mi east of Lucknow; population (1991) 40,800. It is one of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus, revered by some as the birthplace of Rama. In recent years, the town has become the focus of political activity by militant Hindus, culminating in the destruction of the Babri Masjid (or Mosque of Babur) in 1992.

It was the capital of the Kosala kingdom described in the epic Ramayana. Restored in 57 BC, it later became the capital during the reign of Chandragupta II (AD 382-401). It was the birthplace of Mahavira, the founder of Jainism.