Khagra Mela: From Asia’s Second-Largest Animal Fair to a Fading Legacy

Kishanganj: Khagra Mela, once Asia’s second-largest animal fair, is now teetering on the edge of becoming a forgotten chapter of history. Founded in 1883 by Nawab Syed Ata Hussain Khan of the Khagra Estate in Kishanganj, the fair once attracted traders from across the subcontinent and beyond, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Afghanistan.

A Vision from a Sufi Fakir

The origins of Khagra Mela trace back to the advice of Sufi Fakir Baba Kamli Shah, who encouraged Nawab Syed Ata Hussain Khan to establish the fair as a means to provide employment to locals and promote regional trade. The proposal, presented to Purnia’s District Magistrate A. Weeks and Kishanganj’s Sub-Divisional Officer Rai Bahadur Das Dutta, was approved, and the fair was inaugurated in the winter of 1883.

A Commercial Hub of Its Time

In its heyday, Khagra Mela was not just a centre for animal trading but a bustling marketplace for a variety of goods. Traders from across India and neighbouring countries would gather to engage in large-scale commerce. Nawab Syed Ata Hussain Khan took significant steps to facilitate this growth, including the construction of paved roads linking the fairgrounds to the Ganga-Darjeeling Road, the digging of wells for water supply, and the planting of trees throughout the grounds.

From Bustling Fair to Lost Legacy

Today, the Khagra Mela stands in stark contrast to its once-vibrant past. Much of the land that hosted the fair has now been overtaken by government buildings and commercial markets. The iconic Khagra Mela Gate, a symbol of the fair’s grandeur, was demolished several years ago. Despite promises to reconstruct it, no concrete plans have been put into action.

The grounds, once filled with traders, livestock, and visitors, now lie abandoned. Cattle graze in the open spaces, slums have sprung up in parts of the area, and waste has accumulated. What was once a thriving centre of trade and culture is now marked by the quiet presence of a few vegetable vendors.

Facing the Brink of Oblivion

Khagra Mela, which once put Kishanganj on the map both nationally and internationally, now finds itself on the brink of being erased from public memory. Local authorities and the public’s indifference have allowed this historic event to almost disappear. However, if efforts are made to preserve and rejuvenate the fair, it could not only restore Kishanganj’s cultural heritage but also become a catalyst for boosting tourism and commerce in the region once again.