Dehradun district is an administrative district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The district headquarters is the city of Dehradun, which is also the winter capital of the state and the seat of the state's secretariat and legislative assembly. The district lies in the Garhwal region and contains both the Doon Valley and a portion of the outer Himalayan ranges.
| State | Uttarakhand |
|---|---|
| Region | Garhwal |
| Headquarters | Dehradun |
| Division | Garhwal division |
| Country | India |
The district is bounded by the Himalayas to the north and the Shivalik range to the south, with the Doon Valley lying between the two. The Yamuna river forms part of the western boundary, separating the district from Himachal Pradesh, while the Ganga flows along sections of the eastern boundary. The district shares borders with Uttarkashi and Tehri Garhwal districts to the north and east, Haridwar district to the south-east, and the state of Uttar Pradesh to the south. Major rivers within the district include the Tons, Asan, Song and Suswa.
Elevations range from the plains around the Shivaliks to higher altitudes in the Chakrata region. The hill station of Mussoorie, sometimes called the "Queen of the Hills", lies within the district.
The district is administered by a District Magistrate and is part of the Garhwal administrative division. It is divided into tehsils including Dehradun, Vikasnagar, Chakrata, Tyuni, Kalsi and Rishikesh, along with development blocks for rural administration. Urban governance is provided by municipal corporations and councils, the largest being the Dehradun Municipal Corporation.
The Doon Valley has a long recorded history connected to the Garhwal kingdom. In the early nineteenth century the area came under Gorkha control, and after the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–1816) it was ceded to the British East India Company under the Treaty of Sugauli. Under British administration, Dehradun was developed as a military and educational centre, becoming the home of institutions such as the Forest Research Institute and the Indian Military Academy in subsequent decades.
Until 2000 the district formed part of Uttar Pradesh. With the creation of the new state of Uttaranchal (renamed Uttarakhand in 2007) on 9 November 2000, Dehradun became part of the new state, and the city of Dehradun was designated its interim capital.
The economy combines government administration, education, defence establishments, tourism, agriculture and small-scale industry. Basmati rice, litchi and tea have historically been associated with the Doon Valley. Tourism is significant, supported by destinations such as Mussoorie, Sahastradhara, Robber's Cave (Guchhupani), Chakrata and the religious sites near Rishikesh, which lies within the district.
Hindi is the principal language, with Garhwali widely spoken in the hill areas and Jaunsari spoken among the Jaunsar-Bawar communities of the Chakrata region. The district population is predominantly Hindu, with significant Sikh, Muslim, Christian, Jain and Buddhist minorities. The Tibetan refugee community has a notable presence, particularly around Clement Town.
The district is served by Jolly Grant Airport near Rishikesh, Dehradun Railway Station, and national highways linking it to Delhi, Haridwar, Shimla and the upper Garhwal region. A multi-lane expressway connecting Dehradun with Delhi has been developed to reduce travel time between the two cities.