Overview
Karauli district is an administrative district in the eastern part of the state of Rajasthan, India. It was formed in 1997, when it was carved out of the erstwhile Sawai Madhopur district. The town of Karauli serves as the district headquarters. The district is historically associated with the former princely state of Karauli, ruled by the Yaduvanshi Jadon Rajputs.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Rajasthan |
| Headquarters | Karauli |
| Formed | 19 July 1997 |
| Region | Eastern Rajasthan |
| Division | Bharatpur division |
Geography
Karauli district lies in the eastern plateau region of Rajasthan, bordered by Dholpur district to the east, Bharatpur district to the north, Dausa and Sawai Madhopur districts to the west, and the state of Madhya Pradesh to the south, with the Chambal River forming part of the southern boundary. The terrain features ravines, hills of the Vindhyan range, and tracts of dry deciduous forest. The Banas and Chambal river systems drain the district.
History
The region traces its political history to the founding of Karauli State in the medieval period, traditionally attributed to Arjun Pal in the 14th century. The Jadon rulers retained the principality through the Mughal and Maratha periods, and Karauli became a princely state under the paramountcy of the British East India Company in 1817. After independence, the state was integrated into the United State of Matsya in 1948 and subsequently into Rajasthan in 1949. As an administrative district, Karauli was constituted on 19 July 1997 by separating tehsils from Sawai Madhopur district.
Administration
The district falls under the Bharatpur division of Rajasthan. It is divided into several tehsils and sub-divisions, including Karauli, Hindaun, Sapotra, Todabhim, Nadoti, and Mandrayal. Hindaun City is the largest urban centre in the district. The district is represented in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly through multiple constituencies and forms part of the Karauli–Dholpur Lok Sabha constituency.
Demographics
According to the 2011 Census of India, Karauli district had a population of approximately 1.46 million. The district is predominantly rural, with agriculture being the principal occupation. Hindi is the main language, with local dialects of Braj and Rajasthani also spoken.
Economy
The economy is largely agrarian, with crops such as bajra, wheat, mustard, and pulses being grown. Karauli is known for its red sandstone quarries, particularly around Mandrayal and Masalpur, which supply building stone used widely in north Indian construction. Hindaun is a notable trading and stone-processing centre.
Culture and tourism
The district is noted for the Kaila Devi Temple, an important Shakti shrine that hosts a major fair (Kaila Devi Mela) each year. Other significant sites include the Madan Mohan Ji Temple in Karauli town, the City Palace built by the Jadon rulers, and the Ranthambhore-adjoining forests, parts of which lie in Sapotra tehsil. The Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary, part of the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, lies within the district.
Transport
Hindaun is a junction on the Western Central Railway's Delhi–Mumbai trunk route, connecting the district to major cities. The district is served by state highways linking it to Jaipur, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Gwalior, and Sawai Madhopur. The nearest major airports are at Jaipur and Agra.