Bhadohi district, also known as Sant Ravidas Nagar, is a district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It lies in the Vindhyachal division and forms part of the Ganga plain in the south-eastern region of the state. The district is widely recognised as the centre of India's hand-knotted carpet industry, and the town of Bhadohi serves as its administrative headquarters.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Uttar Pradesh |
| Division | Vindhyachal |
| Headquarters | Gyanpur |
| Largest town | Bhadohi |
| Alternative name | Sant Ravidas Nagar |
| Known for | Hand-knotted carpet industry |
The district was carved out of Varanasi district in 1994 and was named Sant Ravidas Nagar after the medieval Bhakti saint Ravidas. The name Bhadohi continues to be used in popular and commercial usage, particularly because of its association with the carpet trade. The administrative headquarters is located at Gyanpur, while Bhadohi remains the largest urban centre and the commercial hub of the district.
Bhadohi district is bordered by Jaunpur district to the north, Varanasi district to the east, Mirzapur district to the south, and Prayagraj district to the west. The Ganga forms part of the southern boundary of the district. The terrain is largely flat alluvial plain, suitable for agriculture, with the Varuna and other smaller streams draining the area.
The district is administered by a District Magistrate and is part of the Vindhyachal division along with Mirzapur and Sonbhadra. It is divided into tehsils including Bhadohi, Gyanpur and Aurai, and further into community development blocks. The Bhadohi Lok Sabha constituency represents the area in the Lok Sabha.
The economy of Bhadohi is dominated by the handmade carpet industry, which has earned the region the title of the "Carpet City" of India. Carpets and rugs woven in Bhadohi and surrounding villages are exported to many countries, and the area is one of the largest hand-knotted carpet weaving clusters in South Asia. The Indian Institute of Carpet Technology, established to support the industry through training and research, is located in Bhadohi. The Carpet Export Promotion Council also has a strong presence in the region. Agriculture remains an important secondary occupation, with rice, wheat and pulses being the principal crops.
Bhadohi is connected by the Howrah–Delhi main railway line, with Bhadohi railway station serving as a key stop. National and state highways link the district to Varanasi, Prayagraj and Lucknow. The nearest major airports are at Varanasi and Prayagraj.
The district draws cultural identity from its association with Sant Ravidas, and from the long-standing weaving traditions of its rural communities. Sites of religious and historical interest include Sitamarhi on the banks of the Ganga, traditionally associated with episodes from the Ramayana, and several temples and shrines in and around Gyanpur and Bhadohi.