Geography
Etawah was a town and district of British India, in the Agra division of the United Provinces. The town is situated on the left bank of the Yamuna, and has a station on the Indian Railway (Northern Zone), 386 km from Allahabad. Deep fissures intersect the various quarters of the town, over which broad roads connect the higher portions by bridges and embankments. Considerable trade is carried on by rail, National Highway 2 (Earlier Grand Trunk Road) and river.
The district of Etawah lies in the southwestern portion of Uttar Pradesh 26° 47" north latitude and 72° 20" east longitude and forms a part of the Kanpur Division. In shape it is a parallelogram with a length from north to south 70 km. and East to west 66 km. on one side and 24 km. on the other side. It is bounded on the north by the districts of Farrukhabad and Mainpuri, while the small extent of western border adjoins tahsil Bah of the Agra district. The eastern frontier marches with the district of Auraiya, and along the south lie Jalaun and the district of Gwalior, the division line being, except for a short distance, the Chambal and Yamuna rivers. The total area in 1999 is calculated to be 2434 km.
The district exhibits a striking variety of surface and scenery. The greater portion lies within the Doab or level alluvial plain between the Ganges and the Yamuna. This part falls naturally into two sections, divided by the deep and fissured valley of the river Sengar.
The tract to the north-east of that stream is rich and fertile, being watered by the Kanpur and Etawah branches of the Ganges canal, and other important works. The south-western region has the same natural advantages, but possesses no great irrigation system, and is consequently less fruitful than the opposite slopes. Near the banks of the Yamuna, the plain descends into the river valley by a series of wild ravines and terraces, inhabited only by a scattered race of hereditary herdsmen. Beyond the Jamuna, a strip of land extends along the tangled gorges of the Chambal and the Kuari Nadi, far into the borders of the Gwalior state. This outlying tract embraces a series of rocky glens and mountain torrents, crowned by the ruins of native strongholds, and interspersed with narrow ledges of cultivable alluvium. The climate, once hot and sultry, has now become comparatively moist and equable under the influence of irrigation and the planting of trees.
Etawah is located It has an average elevation of 197 metres (456 feet).
Demographics
As per provisional data of 2011 census, Etawah had a population of 15,79,160 out of which males were 8,54,145 and females were 7,25,015. The literacy rate was 82.89 per cent.
HistoryAncient era
This region is believed to have existed even in the Bronze Age.The earliest Aryans who lived here were the Panchalas.They are said to have had close connections with Kurus.
Tradition holds the history of the town started with its foundation by a successor of King Bharat. The region also finds mention in the Mahabharata and Ramayana epics.
The Guptas, Kanvas, Kanishka, Naga kings ruled over this area. In the fourth century A.D., it was part of united India under the Guptas.
During the ninth and tenth centuries, this region was governed by Gurjara Pratihara rulers. The conquest of Kannauj by Nagabhata II handed Pratiharas control over this region. During the reign of Gurjara Pratihara monarch Mihir Bhoj, the region is mentioned as prosperous, safe from thieves and rich in natural resources.
Revolt of 1857
During the First War of Independence in 1857 major disturbances occurred in Etawah, and the district was occupied by the freedom fighters from June to December. British rule was not completely restored till the end of 1858.
Modern history and economy
Etawah has experienced modernization and development under British Raj and in the post-independence period.
The district is partly watered by branches of the Ganges canal.
It is traversed by the main line of the Indian railway (northern zone) which runs from Kanpur to Agra and beyond. The railway was first built during the British Raj.
Cotton, oilseeds, Ghee and other agricultural produce, and, a special breeds of goat and buffalo are grown and exported.
The region has a 652 MW natural gas-based power generation plant. However it lacks manufacturing industries.
Etawah was known for its handloom products; most of them are converted into powerlooms thanks to the advent of better technology. 'Etawah' is derived from the burnor of bricks (where bricks are made); it has thousands of brick centre between its boundaries.