Kundesar

Kundesar is a village in Ghazipur district, Uttar Pradesh. It has a population of 4602 according to the 2011 Census. Having a history of five hundred years, this village has rich heritage of the Kinwar clan. Kundesar has had special mention in the gazettes of Ghazipur since 1781. Kundesar is situated on the Ghazipur–Patna National Highway 19.

History
Kundesar was established by Raja Bhairav Dikshit's eldest grandson, Taluqdar Babu Madhav Rai, in the year 1507 A.D on the bank of river Ganga. In the fifth generation of Raja Mulhan Dikshit, Raja Bhairo Dikshit was the last person who migrated from Sahamadih to Gondaur. There he built a fort. According to genealogical records, Kashyap gotriya 'Kinwar' Dikshit Brahman's warrior family uprooted Cheru tribal rulers from Gadhipuri and the surrounding area after a series of battles fought for Gahadavalas. Dikshit Brahmins and Gahadvalas both came to Kannauj from Dakshinapatha. In an edict of Gahadavala King Chandradeva, it is mentioned that he got hold of Gadhipuri near the holy city of Kashi with the help of Dikshit Brahmin warriors. The leading role of 'Mulhan Dikshit' in the Gahadvala military campaign is described in ‘Sri pothi bansauri’ in detail. As a goodwill gesture Gahadvala King conferred him the title of ‘Raja’ along with a grant of seven hundred villages across Azamgarh, Mau, Ballia and Ghazipur districts. Later on the clan flourished in three main branches i.e. Birpur, Gondaur and Karimuddinpur.

In British raj Kudesar's Babu Girija Prasad Narayan Rai estate consisted 37 shares in Mohammadabad paragana and one in Zahurabad, with an area of approximately 2,000 acres and a revenue demand of Rs. 3,028.

Kundesar has produced illustrious people like Babu Hari Narayan Rai ,Babu Siddheshwar Prasad Rai, Vijay Shankar Rai Virendra Narayan Rai, Shri Murli Manohar Rai, Dr. Krisna Murari Rai and Dr. Anand Shankar Rai. Babu Hari Narayan Rai was a renowned wrestler who killed a man-eater (lion) fighting without any weapon. Babu Siddheshwar Prasad Rai was a renowned socialist leader of his time. Vijay Shankar Rai represented Mohammedabad assembly as Member of Legislative Assembly constituency since 1952 till 1985 continuously, with a gap of one term in between. He was a lawyer by profession. IPS was Commissioner of Police in Delhi from May, 1998 to June, 1999. Dr. K.M. Singh is working as Director Extension Education at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar. He has served in several high responsibility positions in ICAR before his current responsibility.

The Kathooda villagers have build a temple in 1978 remembering him with a marble statue being manufactured by Jaipur sculpture artists. These days the temple is famous and is maintained by the local villagers.

Agriculture
Though a number of people from this village have been in government services earning laurels to the village, agriculture is the main source of income and livelihood for the majority of the residents. Nearly all types of food grains, which is cultivated in eastern UP, is also produced here. Popular crops include wheat, paddy and potatoes as well as other crops such as mustard and lentils. Grams are also produced in large quantities. The village has privately owned rice mills and oil mills. Farmers often sell their products either in the local market or in the anaj mandi (government food grains store house) located in Yusufpur. Farming is done with semi modern and semi classical techniques. Tractors and electrical water pump sets are used for farming. Bigger machines like harvesters are also used in the village.

Language and culture
The language spoken by the majority in the village is a mix of Bhojpuri and Hindi, allthough Urdu also has a great influence on it. Culturally the area is much influenced by Varanasi which is a major cultural centre nearby. On the occasion of Kartik Purnima, a fair i.e. 'Chatani Dadari Mela' is held by the villagers every year.

Nearby places

 * Ghazipur
 * Gondaur
 * joga Mushahib
 * Ballia
 * Buxar
 * Varanasi
 * Mughalsarai
 * Patna
 * Sherpur, Ghazipur
 * Yusufpur