Before the establishment of the town the area was dense forest and freely used by various states like Benaras (Varanasi), Sakteshgarh, Vijaygarh, Nainagarh (Chunar), Naugarh, Kantit and Rewa for Hunting.
Most of the city was established by British officers, but the starting development was founded by the most famous officer of British East India Company "Lord Marquess Wellesley".