Moradabad District in Uttar Pradesh forms a part of Moradabad Divisions. Moradabad town is the district headquarters. Presently it is an administrative, industrial and commercial city. Moradabad District is situated between 28 degree 21 minutes to 28 degree 16 minutes north latitude and 78 degree 4 minutes to 79 degree east longitude. After the establishment of Divisional Commissioner Office, its importance and status has further been elevated. Ramganga River flows in the north east and Ganga River is there in south west of the city. Moradabad District is divided into six tehsils and 13 Development Blocks. Total number of Nyay Panchayats in the district is 87 while Gram Sabha stands at 883. The total populated villages are 1388. The district has 26 Police Stations.
History of Moradabad District
Moradabad was established as the head office of Chaupala Pargana during Emperor Akbar`s regime. In 1624, Rustam Khan, the governor of Sambhal, captured it and set up a fort at this place and named it as Rustam Nagar. Later on it was named as Moradabad after the name of Shahjahan`s son Murad and this name still persists. Physical development of the city was started after the construction of Jama Masjid by Rustam Khan in 1632. Moradabad District has played an important role in India`s freedom struggle. Moradabad has the credit for giving the final shape to the Non Cooperation Movement of Mahatma Gandhi. This land has produced several brave soldiers of freedom struggle.
Demography of Moradabad District
Total geographical area of Moradabad District is 3493 sq kms. Its total population as per 2001 Census is 27, 61,620 out of which male population is 14,94,220 and female population is 12,67,400. Of the total population, 18, 77,570 constitute the rural population and the rest 8, 84,040 makes the urban population. Majority of the people in the district are engaged in agriculture and allied activities.
Economy of Moradabad District
Primarily the economy of Moradabad District is agrarian based. However, there are some small scale cottage industries in the district. Major crops cultivated in the district are Paddy, wheat, sugarcane and mustard. There is a network of Agro based industries namely Rice and Dal Processing Units in Moradabad District. Over 15000 small scale industry units are spread all over the district having more concentration on urban cities - Moradabad and Sambhal. Moradabad city is famous for the Brass Metal Handicrafts and exports. Moradabad is renowned for brass work and has carved a niche for itself in the handicraft industry throughout the world. The brassware is exported to several foreign countries across the world. Therefore, Moradabad is also called `Brass City` or Peetal Nagri.
Moradabad District has also produced many great poets and writers whose contribution to the field of literature is well recognized.