Aligarh district is an administrative district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It forms part of the Aligarh division and lies in the western region of the state, in the Doab plain between the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. The district headquarters is the city of Aligarh, historically known as Koil or Kol.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Uttar Pradesh |
| Division | Aligarh division |
| Headquarters | Aligarh |
| Region | Doab, western Uttar Pradesh |
| Notable institution | Aligarh Muslim University |
Aligarh district lies in the fertile Ganga–Yamuna Doab. The terrain is largely flat alluvial plain, suited to intensive agriculture. The district is bordered by Gautam Buddh Nagar and Bulandshahr to the west and north-west, Sambhal and Budaun to the north-east, Kasganj and Hathras to the east and south-east, and Mathura to the south. Major irrigation is provided by the Upper Ganga Canal system, and the Kali Nadi and Karwan rivers traverse parts of the district.
The district is administered by a District Magistrate and is divided into tehsils including Koil, Khair, Atrauli, Iglas and Gabhana. It is subdivided into community development blocks for rural administration and is part of the Aligarh police range. The district sends representatives to the Lok Sabha and the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly through constituencies such as Aligarh, Khair, Barauli, Atrauli, Koil and Iglas.
The area was historically known as Kol or Koil, a name applied to both the town and the surrounding territory in medieval records. The name Aligarh ("high fort") came into use in the late 18th century after the fortification of the local stronghold, which passed through Mughal, Jat, Rohilla, Maratha and finally British control.
The Battle of Aligarh in 1803, fought during the Second Anglo-Maratha War, resulted in the capture of Aligarh Fort by British forces under General Gerard Lake from the French-officered Maratha garrison. The district was subsequently incorporated into British India and was an active centre during the Revolt of 1857.
In 1875, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan founded the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh, which became Aligarh Muslim University in 1920. The institution made the district a centre of the Aligarh Movement and modern Muslim education in South Asia.
Agriculture remains an important sector, with wheat, rice, sugarcane, mustard and pulses among the principal crops. Aligarh city is widely known for its lock industry, which developed in the 19th century and continues to be a major source of employment, alongside hardware, brassware and small-scale manufacturing. The district is connected by National Highway 34 (formerly NH-91) and by the Delhi–Howrah railway line, with Aligarh Junction being a significant station.
Hindi is the principal language, with Urdu also widely spoken. The district has a mixed Hindu and Muslim population, with smaller communities of Jains, Sikhs and Christians. Cultural life is shaped by the legacy of the Aligarh Movement, the university, and traditional crafts.
Aligarh Muslim University, a central university, is the most prominent educational institution in the district, offering programmes across arts, sciences, engineering, medicine and law. Other institutions include Mangalayatan University in Beswan and several state-affiliated colleges.