Manikala (also spelled Mani Kalan or Mani Kala) is a village located in Shahganj tehsil of Jaunpur district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The village is part of the Shahganj Community Development Block and is governed under the Panchayati Raj system.
Manikala is situated in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh within the Varanasi division. It lies north of Jaunpur city, the district headquarters, and in proximity to Shahganj town. The village is located in the Gangetic plains and features fertile alluvial soil, making agriculture the dominant land use in the area.
Demographics
According to the 2011 Census of India, Manikala (recorded as Mani Kalan in census records) had a total population of 11,815, comprising 6,162 males and 5,653 females, living in 1,505 households.[1]
The literacy rate of the village was reported at approximately 70.6%, with male literacy at about 76.1% and female literacy at around 64.6%. Children aged 0–6 years constituted a significant portion of the population. Members of Scheduled Castes formed a notable segment of the population, while no Scheduled Tribe population was reported in the census.
Administration
Manikala is administered by an elected Gram Panchayat, headed by a Pradhan (village head), under the Panchayati Raj system. Administratively, the village falls under Shahganj tehsil of Jaunpur district. Politically, it lies within the Shahganj Assembly constituency and the corresponding parliamentary constituency.[2]
Economy
The economy of Manikala is primarily based on agriculture. Major crops cultivated in and around the village include rice, wheat, pulses, and oilseeds. In addition to farming, residents engage in animal husbandry, small-scale trade, and wage labor. A section of the population commutes or migrates seasonally to nearby towns and cities for employment.
Infrastructure
Manikala is connected to Shahganj and nearby settlements through rural roads. The nearest major railway station is Shahganj Junction, which provides rail connectivity to regional and national destinations. Public transport facilities, including buses and shared vehicles, are available via Shahganj.
Postal services for the village operate under the PIN code 223104. Mobile telecommunication services are available, consistent with other rural areas of Jaunpur district.
Education and healthcare
Primary education facilities are available within or near the village, while secondary and higher education institutions are accessed in Shahganj and Jaunpur. Healthcare needs are met through nearby primary health centres and hospitals located in surrounding towns.
Culture
The cultural life of Manikala reflects the traditions of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Major festivals such as Holi, Diwali, Eid, and other religious and regional celebrations are observed. Hindi is the primary language spoken, along with local dialects influenced by Awadhi and Bhojpuri. Community life is closely linked to agricultural cycles, religious practices, and social gatherings.
Notable people
Majid Ali Jaunpuri (1905–1978) – Urdu scholar, critic, and literary figure associated with modern Urdu literary criticism. He was born in Mani Kalan village of Jaunpur district and is known for his contributions to Urdu literature and criticism.[3]
Mohd Suhaib (born 2008) is an Indian student researcher and independent theoretical physics enthusiast. He is known for proposing conceptual work on information-based physics, focusing on entropy, observer influence, and the relationship between quantum mechanics and spacetime. His ideas explore the potential role of information as a fundamental component of physical laws and the quantum–classical transition.
Notes
The village name appears in official records with multiple spellings, including "Manikala", "Mani Kala", and "Mani Kalan", due to variations in transliteration from local usage into English.
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