Centre approves renaming Allahabad to 'Prayagraj'

The Union Home Ministry has approved the proposal of the Uttar Pradesh Government to rename Allahabad as Prayagraj.

Why was the name change proposed?

• The Government of Uttar Pradesh has said that it is restoring the original name of the city.
• The Government states that the city was rechristened during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
• Akbar called the city Illahabas, meaning the abode of God.
• Before renaming by Akbar, the city was known as Prayag. 
• Medieval texts, including Akbar's court historian Abul Fazl, called the city as Piyag.

Procedure for changing Names:

• The proposals of the states would be scrutinised by the Union Home Ministry according to the existing guidelines in consultations with agencies concerned.
• The Ministry approves the proposal after taking no-objections from the Ministry of Railways, Department of Posts and Survey of India, which confirms that there is no such city, town or village in their records with a name similar to the proposed one. 
• Then an executive order is passed.

Question:

Q. The Union Home Ministry has approved the proposal of the Uttar Pradesh Government to rename Allahabad as what?
a. Prayagraj
b. Prayag
c. Sangam
d. None of the above