Bagpat district, also spelled as Baghpat district,[3] is one of the 75 districts of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, with headquarters at the town of Baghpat. It is within the National Capital Region. Created in 1997, the district has an area of 1,321 square kilometres (510 sq mi). Baghpat has a population of 1,303,048 as of 2011 census.
History
Baghpat city, after which the district takes its name, derives its name either from vyagprastha ("land of tigers") or from vakyaprasth ("place for delivering speeches"). the city was finally named Baghpat, or Bagpat, during the Mughal era. Starting from a small commercial center known as the Mandi, the city grew in importance after the 1857 mutiny and became the headquarters of Baghpat tehsil.[4] Baghpat has a rich historical significance, particularly in the context of India's struggle for independence. The district provided shelter to several key freedom fighters. Notably, Chandrashekhar Azad sought refuge in Baghpat after the Kakori Train Action, a significant event in the Indian independence movement. Additionally, Subhas Chandra Bose visited Baraut city of Baghpat district in his efforts to recruit new members for his army, the Indian National Army (INA), during his fight against British colonial rule.
Baghpat district was created on 17 September 1997 and named after the erstwhile Baghpat tehsil of Meerut district.[5][6][4]
Geography
The district has an area of 1,321 square kilometres (510 sq mi).[4] Baghpat town lies on the east bank of the Yamuna River[4] and is within the National Capital Region.
It is 40 kilometres (25 mi) from Delhi, the national capital, 52 kilometres (32 mi) from Meerut, and 55 kilometres (34 mi) from Ghaziabad.[4]
Water quality issues
Bagpat district, along with other districts in western Uttar Pradesh, faces significant challenges regarding water quality. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has been addressing these issues, particularly concerning heavy metal contamination in groundwater.[7][8][9][10]
The NGT has criticised local authorities for failing to provide clean drinking water to residents despite multiple directives. Reports indicate dangerously high levels of arsenic in the groundwater, posing severe health risks, including cancer and physical deformities. In the village of Jalalpur, arsenic levels were found to be 40 mg/l, 4000 times the acceptable limit.[7][8][9]
There have been serious physical disabilities observed in children due to contaminated water. Villages along the Hindon, Krishni, and Kali rivers are particularly affected, with residents suffering from skin diseases, congenital deformities, and cancer due to heavy metals and toxins in the water.[7][8][9]
The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has reported declining groundwater levels and quality issues in Bagpat district, particularly in Binauli, Pilana, and Khekra blocks. About 96.60% of the net irrigated area relies on groundwater.[7][8][9]
To address these challenges, the NGT has ordered scientific studies of groundwater quality and directed the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam to ensure the supply of clean drinking water to affected villages. These measures are crucial for safeguarding public health and ensuring sustainable water management in Bagpat district.[7][8][9][11][12]
According to the 2011 census, Bagpat district has a population of 1,303,048,[5] which is roughly equal to that of African nation of Mauritius[14] or the US state of New Hampshire.[15] This gives it a ranking of the 376th most populous districts in India (out of a total of 640).[5] The district has a population density of 986 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,550/sq mi) .[5] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 11.87%.[5] Bagpat has a sex ratio of 858 females for every 1000 males,[5] and a literacy rate of 73.54%. 21.11% of the population lived in urban areas. Scheduled Castes make up 11.44% of the population.[5]
The present district magistrate of Baghpat is Jitendra Pratap Singh[18] and superintendent of Baghpat Police is Arpit Vijayvargiya.[19] Additional district magistrate is Pankaj Verma and chief development officer is Neeraj Kumar Srivastava.[20] Arun Kumar Tiwari is the district youth officer of Nehru Yuva Kendra Baghpat.[21]
Tehsils and blocks
Bagpat district is divided into 3 tehsils: Baghpat, Baraut, and Khekra. Baghpat tehsil comprises two blocks – Baghpat and Pilana; while Baraut comprises three – Binauli, Chhaprauli, and Baraut. Khekra tehsil comprises only the Khekra block. Baghpat, Baraut, Doghat Rural and Khekada are the major towns in the district.[22][23]
Baghpat town has an agriculture-based economy where sugarcane is a main crop. There are sugar mills in Baghpat, Ramala and Malakpur. Wheat, mustard, and vegetables are also extensively grown.[4][25] The district is known for its home furnishing industry, which produces items like bedsheets, towels and mattresses, that are supplied across the country.[26]
^Ahmed, Nawazuddin; Nauriyal, D. K. (23 June 2023). Occupational Mobility in Contemporary India: Beyond One Generation Into the Future. Taylor & Francis. p. 103. ISBN978-1-000-90100-9. According to the census of India, Baghpat district is home to 69 percent of rural residents, whereas Moradabad and Saharanpur have roughly 60 percent of the population living in rural areas (Census, 2011).
^ abcdef"About District". Government of Uttar Pradesh: Bagpat district. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
^US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2011. Gurjars hold Baghpat, they have a large population in Baghpat and Khekra tehsils, and Jats hold Baraut and have a large population in Baraut and Chhaprauli towns. Mauritius 1,303,717, July 2011 est.
