District Mau has been cast out from district Azamgarh. It has a very rich historical background from the protohistorical period.The Archaeological Survey of India has found some records like coins of the king Kanishka's period.
During the reign of Sher Shah Suri, the famous emperor who defeated Humayun, visited Kolhuvavan (Madhuban) to meet the great Sufi saint Syed Ahmad Wadva. Mahvani, one of the daughters of Sher Shah was settled permanently near the dargah of Syed Sahab. Various developmental works were undertaken by Sher Shah Suri during his reign for economic development of the Mau region. After Humayun had retaken India, it is mentioned in the historical book of Ziaudeen Barni saying that his son Akbar the Great passed through Mau, on his way towards Allahabad.
During the construction of a military base and the Shahi Masjid, a large number of laborers and artisans came with the Mughal Army. They, the weavers, etc. had originally come from Iran, Afghanistan and Turkey; they settled there permanently.
During the period of India's struggle for freedom the residents of Mau gave their full support to the movement.Pandit Algu Rai Shastri a great Leader and Indian Freedom fighter Facts about Pandit Algu Rai Shastri ji was Affiliated to Indian National Congress Constituency Azamgarh (UP) Lok Sabha Constituency Member of parliament Member of 1952 Member title MP,offer to Mahatma Gandhi came to Dohrighat on 3 October 1939 during the 3rd salt law breaking movement; many persons of Mau actively took part.
During the 1942 Quit India Movement a mob had collected in outrage of an action by a Madhuban Police Station Officer; Collector Navlate was present there, he ordered his men to open fire on the mob killing and injuring raghunath,bhar, Kanhyee bhar etc. In memory of the shaheeds of that day a monument was built on the site were the shaheeds had made the ultimate sacrifice.
In the 1970s and early 1980s many people (like Jharkhandey Rai,
