It is believed that the city was known as Kalap dev ki kalpi in ancient times, later abbreviated to Kalpi. Kalpi is also known as the birthplace of Sage Vyasa, the writer of the Mahabharata and Puranas. He collected the chants of Vedas and assembled them in an arranged manner. Kalpi is said to have been founded by King Vasudeva at the end of the 4th century BCE.
Medieval
In 1196 it fell to Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the viceroy of Mohammed Ghori, and during the subsequent Muslim period it played a significant part in the history of central India. During Akbar's reign, Kalpi was a governor's seat and had a mint for copper coinage. The witty Raja Birbal of Akbar's court is considered to be born near this city. About the middle of the 18th century it passed into the hands of the Marathas.
Modern
The town was captured by the British in 1803, and after 1806 remained in British possession until India's independence in 1947. Kalpi was a part of Bundelkhand Agency, formed in 1811, and also housed its headquarters from 1818 to 1824. During this period the political agent to Governor General of India was appointed and headquartered in Kalpi. The British East India Company made it one of their principal stations for providing "commercial investment". In May 1858 Hugh Rose defeated here a force of Indian rebels led by the Rani of Jhansi. The fortified post of Kalpi, the former residence of the rulers of Jalaun State, was dismantled in 1860 by the British and its place was taken by a market known as Whiteganj. Tourist sites include Vyas temple, Lanka Meenar, 84 Gumbaj and many Dargah like Dargah of Meer Syed Mohammad Tirmizi, and World Famous Sufi Khanqah colled Khanqahe Muhammadia, Kalpi is also the birthplace of Ved Vyas ji. There is a Kali Haveli and Rang Mahal of Beerbal named Rang Mahal.
Geography
Kalpi is located at. It has an average elevation of 112 metres.The climate in Kalpi is warm and temperate. The rainfall in Kalpi is significant, with precipitation even during the driest month. The temperature averages 25.9 °C. The average annual rainfall is 892 mm.
Location
The old town, which is on the Yamuna river has the ruin of a fort, and several temples of interest, while in the neighborhood are many ancient tombs. Away from the river to the south-east is a lofty modern town ornamented with representations of the battles of the Ramayana. The Gaud Sarasawath Brahmin community who are followers of Kashi Math Samsathan Varanasi has set up a beautiful temple of Shri Bala Veda Vyasa in memory of the great sage Veda Vyasa. The spiritual guru of Kashi Math Samsthan Shri Sudhindra Thirtha swami had his vision to set this temple right at the birthplace of Veda Vyasa in 1998. It is also a popular tourist attraction.
Economy
Kalpi is still a centre of local trade with a station on the North Central Railway line from Jhansi to Kanpur, which crosses the Yamuna here. In late 1970s and early 1980s, Kalpi was one of the areas in central India affected by dacoits, and was frequented by the much dreaded Phoolan Devi gang. It has been declared an industrial belt by the Government of India and handmade paper is produced there.
Transport
Railways Kalpi is a major Railway Station of Kanpur-Jhansi railway section of North Central Railway. Roadways Kalpi lies on NH 27 on Kanpur-Jhansi section of National Highway. It is connected to cities of Kanpur, Jhansi and Orai by UPSRTC Buses at Kalpi bus station. Airways The nearest airport is at Kanpur near Chakeri which has direct flights to Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata but is expected to be connected to major cities of India by 2019.
