Bareilly district is an administrative district in the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India. The district headquarters is the city of Bareilly, which lies in the historical region of Rohilkhand. The district forms part of Bareilly division, along with the neighbouring districts of Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur and Budaun.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Uttar Pradesh |
| Division | Bareilly division |
| Headquarters | Bareilly |
| Region | Rohilkhand |
| Major rivers | Ramganga, Deoha (Garra) |
| Major language | Hindi, Urdu |
Bareilly district lies in the upper Gangetic plain in the north-central part of Uttar Pradesh. The terrain is generally flat and alluvial, sloping gently from the Himalayan foothills in the north towards the Ganga basin in the south. The Ramganga river flows through the district, and the Deoha (Garra) and other smaller streams drain its plains. The district shares boundaries with Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand to the north, Pilibhit to the east, Shahjahanpur to the south-east, Budaun to the south-west and Rampur to the west.
The area corresponding to present-day Bareilly district has a long recorded history connected with the ancient region of Panchala. The town of Bareilly is traditionally said to have been founded in the 16th century by Bas Deo and Barel Deo, sons of Raja Jagat Singh. In the 18th century the area became the political centre of the Rohilla Afghans, giving its name to the historical region of Rohilkhand.
After the Rohilla War of 1774, the territory passed to the Nawabs of Awadh, and in 1801 it was ceded to the British East India Company. Under British administration Bareilly became a divisional and district headquarters. The city was a notable centre of activity during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, when Khan Bahadur Khan led a short-lived revolt government from Bareilly before British forces recaptured the city in 1858.
The district is administered by a District Magistrate, with subordinate Sub-Divisional Magistrates heading the tehsils. Bareilly district is divided into several tehsils, including Bareilly, Aonla, Baheri, Faridpur, Mirganj and Nawabganj, and is further subdivided into community development blocks and gram panchayats. The district sends representatives to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly and the Lok Sabha; the Bareilly Lok Sabha constituency lies within the district.
The economy of Bareilly district is based on agriculture, agro-processing and manufacturing. Sugarcane, wheat, paddy and oilseeds are important crops, supported by sugar mills and grain trading. Bareilly city is well known for the manufacture of zari and zardozi embroidery, cane and bamboo furniture, and surma. The city also hosts furniture clusters and is a recognised market for manjha (kite string). Industrial activity includes rubber, chemicals and engineering goods, with growth corridors along National Highway 30 (Lucknow–Delhi) and other major routes.
Bareilly is an important rail junction on the Northern and North Eastern Railway networks, with broad-gauge connections towards Delhi, Lucknow, Moradabad and Lalkuan. The district is served by National Highways linking it to Delhi, Lucknow, Sitapur and Nainital. Bareilly Airport, located at Trishul Air Force Station, offers limited civilian flights under the regional connectivity scheme.
Bareilly is the seat of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, which is the affiliating university for higher education in the region. The district is also home to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) at Izatnagar, one of India's premier institutions for veterinary science. Other notable institutions include the Central Avian Research Institute, Government Medical College Bareilly, and Rohilkhand Medical College, along with several engineering and management colleges.
Bareilly district has a composite cultural heritage shaped by Hindu, Muslim and Sikh communities. The city is closely associ