Saharanpur district is an administrative district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Located in the north-western corner of the state, it forms part of the Saharanpur division and lies in the upper Doab region between the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. The district headquarters is the city of Saharanpur, which is known historically for its woodcarving craft and as a centre of trade and education in western Uttar Pradesh.
Key facts
| State | Uttar Pradesh |
|---|---|
| Division | Saharanpur division |
| Headquarters | Saharanpur |
| Region | Upper Doab, western Uttar Pradesh |
| Country | India |
Geography
Saharanpur district lies at the foothills of the Shivalik range, with the Yamuna forming part of its western boundary with Haryana. To the north it adjoins the state of Uttarakhand, while to the east and south lie the districts of Shamli, Muzaffarnagar and others of western Uttar Pradesh. The terrain is largely a fertile alluvial plain, traversed by tributaries and canals drawn from the Yamuna system, supporting intensive agriculture. The Shivalik forests in the north form an ecologically distinct belt of the district.
Administration
The district is the administrative seat of Saharanpur division, which also includes neighbouring districts. It is divided into tehsils and development blocks, with subordinate revenue circles administering villages. The principal urban centres include Saharanpur city, Deoband, Gangoh, Nakur and Rampur Maniharan. The district is represented in the Lok Sabha by the Saharanpur and Kairana parliamentary constituencies (in part), and contains several Vidhan Sabha constituencies.
History
The region has a long settlement history, with antiquities recovered from sites such as Hulas pointing to occupation in ancient periods. During the medieval era the area passed through Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal control. The town of Saharanpur is generally associated with a name derived from a Sufi saint, Shah Haroon Chishti. Under the Mughals the area was part of the sarkar of Saharanpur in the suba of Delhi.
In the 18th century the territory came under the influence of the Rohillas and subsequently the Marathas, before being annexed by the British East India Company in 1803 following the Second Anglo-Maratha War. Saharanpur was constituted as a district under British administration in the early 19th century. The Company established a botanical garden at Saharanpur which became one of the important horticultural and scientific institutions of north India during the colonial period.
The district was a site of activity during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. In the late 19th century, Deoband, a town in the district, became internationally known as the seat of the Darul Uloom Deoband, an Islamic seminary founded in 1866 that gave rise to the Deobandi movement.
Economy
Agriculture forms the backbone of the district's economy, with sugarcane, wheat, rice and mango among the principal crops. Sugar mills and associated agro-industries are major employers. Saharanpur is particularly noted for its woodcarving industry, which has received Geographical Indication recognition; carved sheesham wood products from the city are exported widely. Other industries include paper, textiles and handloom production. The district is also a regional trading hub for produce from the Shivalik foothills.
Demographics and culture
Saharanpur district has a mixed population, with Hindi and Urdu being widely spoken and Punjabi also present owing to historical settlement patterns. The district has a significant Muslim population alongside a Hindu majority, and is home to important religious institutions of multiple traditions, including the Darul Uloom at Deoband and several Hindu and Sikh shrines. The Shakumbhari Devi temple in the Shivalik hills is a notable pilgrimage site.
Transport
The district is served by the Northern Railway, with Saharanpur Junction acting as a major railway hub connecting Delhi, Ambala, Dehradun and Lucknow. National Highways link the district to Delhi, Dehradun, Haridwar and other towns of western Uttar Pradesh. Road and rail connections make the district an important gateway between the plains and the Himalayan foothills.
Significance
Saharanpur district is significant as a major agricultural and industrial district of western Uttar Pradesh, as the location of the historically important Deoband seminary, and for its distinctive woodcraft tradition. Its position at the junction of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Haryana gives it strategic and economic importance in the region.
Related topics
References
- Wikidata: Q1797326
- Government of Uttar Pradesh, district administration portal for Saharanpur.
- Census of India, district handbooks for Saharanpur.