Ghazipur district is an administrative district of the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India. Located in the eastern part of the state along the banks of the river Ganges, it forms part of the Varanasi division. The district takes its name from its headquarters town, Ghazipur, which lies on the northern bank of the Ganges. The district is historically associated with the production of opium, the cultivation of rose-based products, and as the burial place of the British Governor-General Lord Cornwallis.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Uttar Pradesh |
| Division | Varanasi division |
| Headquarters | Ghazipur |
| Region | Purvanchal (eastern Uttar Pradesh) |
| Major river | Ganges |
| Official languages | Hindi, Urdu |
Ghazipur district lies in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh, in the Indo-Gangetic plain. It is bordered by Ballia district to the north and east, by Mau and Azamgarh districts to the west and north-west, by Varanasi and Chandauli districts to the south-west, and shares a boundary with the state of Bihar to the east, where it adjoins Buxar district. The Ganges flows through the district, and other significant streams include the Gomti, Karmnasa, Besoo, and Magai. The terrain is largely flat alluvial plain, suitable for intensive agriculture.
The district takes its name from Sayyid Masud Ghazi, who is credited in local tradition with founding the town of Ghazipur in the 14th century during the reign of Firuz Shah Tughlaq. The region came under the Mughal empire and later passed to the Nawabs of Awadh. Following the cession to the British East India Company in 1775, Ghazipur became an important administrative centre under the Banaras division.
During British rule the town gained prominence for the Government Opium and Alkaloid Works, established in 1820, which remains one of the oldest opium-processing facilities of its kind. Charles, Marquess Cornwallis, Governor-General of India, died at Ghazipur in 1805 and is buried there; his domed mausoleum is a notable monument.
The district has been associated with the freedom movement and produced figures such as Mangal Pandey, the sepoy whose actions in 1857 are remembered as a precursor to the Indian Rebellion; he was born in Nagwa village in the district.
The district is divided into several tehsils, including Ghazipur (Sadar), Mohammadabad, Zamania, Saidpur, Jakhanian, Sevrai, and Kasimabad. Administration is headed by a District Magistrate, with a Superintendent of Police responsible for law and order. For parliamentary representation, the district contains the Ghazipur Lok Sabha constituency, with parts also falling within neighbouring constituencies. The district has multiple Vidhan Sabha (state assembly) constituencies.
The economy of Ghazipur district is predominantly agrarian. Major crops include rice, wheat, sugarcane, pulses, and vegetables. The district is known for the cultivation of roses around the town of Ghazipur, used in the production of rose water and attar. The Government Opium and Alkaloid Works at Ghazipur, operated under the Government of India, processes opium for pharmaceutical and licit medicinal use. Handloom weaving and small-scale industries also contribute to the local economy.
According to the 2011 Census of India, Ghazipur is a populous district of Uttar Pradesh, with a predominantly rural population. Hindi is the principal language, with Bhojpuri being widely spoken as the regional vernacular. Urdu is also recognised. The major religious community is Hindu, with a significant Muslim minority.
Ghazipur is connected by rail through several stations, including Ghazipur City and Yusufpur, on lines linking Varanasi with Chhapra and Ballia. National Highway 31 (formerly NH-29) and other state highways pass through the district, providing road connectivity to Varanasi, Gorakhpur, and Patna. The Ganges supports limited inland water transport. The nearest major airports are at Varanasi (