 At that time the area was known for Ayurvedic medicine and for business by boats in northern India.In the 18th century when the Mughal empire set into a decline and the former satraps attained the status of suzerain rulers Anupshahr came to be located on the western periphery of the 'Nawabi' of Oudh (Avadh) and became an important garrison.Though the Nawab of Oudh soon lost control of the area, this small town remained a cantonment of sorts for a long time to come.