Overview
Hardoi is a city and municipal board in the Hardoi district of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It serves as the administrative headquarters of Hardoi district and lies in the Awadh region of the state, on the Gangetic plain between the rivers Ganga and Ramganga. The city is a long-established market town and a stop on the railway and road network linking Lucknow with Bareilly and Shahjahanpur.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Uttar Pradesh |
| Region | Awadh |
| District | Hardoi |
| Type | City and district headquarters |
| Civic body | Nagar Palika Parishad, Hardoi |
| Official language | Hindi |
Etymology and legend
Local tradition links the name "Hardoi" to the legend of Prahlada and the demon king Hiranyakashipu, who is said in popular belief to have ruled in this area. According to the legend, Vishnu appeared here in his Narasimha avatar to slay Hiranyakashipu, and the place came to be called "Hari-droh" (enmity towards Hari), which over time became Hardoi. Sites associated with these legends are pointed out by residents in and around the town.
Geography
Hardoi lies in the central Doab plain of Uttar Pradesh, with generally flat alluvial terrain suited to intensive agriculture. The district is bounded by the Ganga on the south-west and the Ramganga in the north, with the Gomti and its tributaries draining the eastern parts. The climate is humid subtropical, with hot summers, a south-west monsoon between June and September, and cool winters.
History
The Hardoi region formed part of the historical territory of Awadh. Under the Mughal Empire, it was included in the suba of Awadh, and later passed to the Nawabs of Awadh in the 18th century. After the annexation of Awadh by the British East India Company in 1856, Hardoi was organised as a district of the new administration. The area saw activity during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, after which it was reorganised under the British Raj as part of the United Provinces. After Indian independence in 1947, Hardoi continued as a district headquarters in Uttar Pradesh.
Administration
Hardoi city is the seat of the district administration, headed by the District Magistrate, and of the Superintendent of Police for Hardoi district. The Nagar Palika Parishad (municipal board) is responsible for civic services within the city limits, including water supply, sanitation, street lighting and local roads. Hardoi is also the headquarters of the Hardoi tehsil and a Lok Sabha constituency of the same name; the city falls within the Hardoi assembly constituency of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
Transport
- Rail: Hardoi Junction railway station lies on the Lucknow–Moradabad line of Northern Railway, providing connections to Lucknow, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad and Delhi.
- Road: The city is connected by state highways to Lucknow, Shahjahanpur, Sitapur and Kanpur, and is served by the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation.
- Air: The nearest major airport is Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport at Lucknow.
Economy
The economy of Hardoi is predominantly agrarian. The surrounding district is a producer of wheat, paddy, sugarcane, pulses and oilseeds, and the city functions as a mandi (regulated market) and trading centre for agricultural produce. Allied activities include sugar