DISTRICT PROFILE

Origin and Development

Agra is the city of the inimitable Taj Mahal. The story of agra beigns much earlier then the Taj, However it finds mention in the epic Mahabharata when it was called Agrabana are Paradise. Ptolemy, the famous second century A.D. geographer, marked it on his map of the world as Agra. Tradition and legend ascribe the present city of Raja Badal Singh (around 1475 A.D.) whose Fort, Badalgarh, Stood on or near the site of the present Fort. However, the 12th century A.D. persian poet Salman, too, Speaks of a desperate assault on the forrtress of Agra, then held by one King Jaipal, by sultan Mahmud of Ghazni. It was Mughals who finally nurtured Agra with the finest monuments architects could design : The Taj Mahal of Shah Jhan, Agra Fort of Akbar, Itmad-Ud-Daulah and neighbouring Sikandra are but few of the many that spangle the city, each of which stands in mute testimony to the city’s grandur over the ages.

Location, Boundaries and Wheather

The Agra district is situated in western U.P., between 27.11′ degree Latitude North and 78.0′ degree to 78.2′ degree Longitute East. Its Altitude is 169 meters above sea level. On the North it is bounded by Mathura District, On the South it is bounded by Dhaulpur District, On the East it is bounded by Firozabad District and On the West it is bounded by Bharatpur. Agra is situated on the bank of Yamuna river.

In Agra Maximum Temperature in Summer is 45D.C. and minimum temperature is about 21.9D.C. and in Winter maximum temperature in131.7D.C. and minimum temp. in about 4.2D.C.. Best season for tourist in from October to March.

Area and Population

According to Census of Agra district is 10,863 Sq. Km. Its Total Population is 4,418,797 out of which Males are 2,364,953 and Females are 2,053,844.

Infrastructure

The Agra district is divided into Six Tehsils and 15 Blocks. Total number of Gram Panchayat 690. The total populated villages are 945. The total number of police stations in the district are 47

Economy

Primarily the Economy of the Agra district is agriculture based while the economy base of Agra city is Small Scale Industries, Commerce and Trade. Major crops are Wheat, Paddy, Bajra, Mustard, Patato etc. About 40% of the total economy of Agra depend on industry (Directly or Indirectly). Over 7200 Small Scale Industrial Units are spared all over the district. Agra city is famous for the Leather Goods, Handicrafts, Zari Zardozi, Marvel and Stone carving inlay work. Agra is also famous for sweets (PETHA) and Snaks (DALMOTH AND GAJAK).