About Kasganj (Kanshiram Nagar) District (Uttar Pradesh)
Kanshiram Nagar district, a part of Aligarh division is a district of Uttar Pradesh with its administrative headquarters located at Kasganj town. Earlier, it was a part of Etah district but it was carved out on 15th April, 2008 and established as a separate district. Kasganj, Patiali and Sahawar tehsils were separated from Etah district and became a part of the Kasganj district. Then for some time the Mayawati Government changed the name of the district and it was named after a politician, Kanshi Ram. Whereas the decision was protested by lawyers who had demanded to transform the name of the district as Sant Tulsidas district in his honour since he was born in the district. In the year 2012 the district was again reverted to its original name. Tensions regarding the name of this district was also quite common in its history. The name of this place was sometime 'Tanay' and sometime 'Khasganj' during the Mughal and British period. The district is rich in cultural heritage. In some prominent articles and historical manuscripts there are some families of the place which are caring the cultural heritage from a very long period like the families of Rao Mahinder Man Singh, Late Kunwar Bhartendra Singh Jain, Seth Uttam Chand Chandak, Nawabzada Haji Abdul Sattar Ali Khan, Seth Janki Prashad and many more.
Geographically, the district lies at 27°82'N latitude, 78°65'E longitude and 176 m altitude. In the year 2021, there was a total 2.50% forest area of total geographical area. The district encompasses a geographical area of 1,955 sq. km. and in terms of geographical area it occupies the ranks of 61st in the state and 501st in India. It is bounded by Budaun district on the North East, Aligarh district on the North West, Farrukhabad district on the South East, Mainpuri district on the South and Etah district on the South West. The climate of the district is characterised as humid sub-tropical climate. Its climate remains extremely hot and dry during the summer on the other hand moderate during the winter. The actual rainfall in the district was 749.4 mm in the year of 2021-22.
Administration wise, the district is divided into 3 tehsils namely Kasganj, Patiyali and Sahawar. There are 1 Lok Sabha seat and 3 Assembly constituencies in the district. Moreover, the district comprises 3 sub-districts, 11 towns and 715 village. The administrative language in the district is Hindi.
According to 2011 census the district has a population of 14,36,719 including 7,64,165 are males and 6,72,554 are females. The district has a sex ratio of 880 females for every 1000 males. The district has a population density of 736 inhabitants per sq. km. In the year 2001-2011 the population growth rate in the district was 16.93% including 14.97% were males and 19.24% were females. The population density in the district is 735 persons per sq. km. In the year 2020 the number of live births in the district was 34,465 including 17,988 were males and 16,477 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 6,296 out of which 4,512 were males and 1,784 were females. As per 2011 census the major religions in the district are Hindu and Muslim with 84.32% and 14.88%. According to 2011 census the principal language in the district is Hindi with 91.61%.
The economy of the district is solely dependent on agriculture. Most of the lands in the district are used for agricultural purposes. Some of its chief agricultural products are wheat, rice, maize, pulses, vegetables, etc. The adoption of the new agricultural technologies amongst the famers of the district helps to increase the production of various agricultural items. More than half of the population in the district are engaged in agriculture since it is scantily industrialised. Only a few industries and mills of carpets, deshi ghee, cement, milk, brick, sari, etc are found in it. Every year a huge chunk of revenue comes from these industries helps in its economy to a remarkable extent. In the year 2020-21 the gross domestic product in the district was Rs. 11,23,584 lakh at Current Price and Rs. 6,74,015 lakh at Constant Prices during the year 2011-2012. The Net Domestic Product in the district during the period 2020-21 was Rs. 10,00,936 lakh at Current Price and Rs. 5,85,126 lakh at Constant Prices in the year 2011-2012. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, At Factor Cost in the district during the period 2020-21 was Rs. 62,015 at Current Price and Rs. 36,253 at Constant Prices in the year 2011-2012.
The district is an abode of numerous reputed educational institutions. It provides platform for higher education. Some of its recognised educational institutions are Dr. Islam Majeed Degree College, Ch. Shri Ram Yadav Degree College, Hajjan Sadika Begam Degree College, K.C. Adarsh Degree College, Shri C.R. Singh Degree College, Dr. R. Siddhartha Degree College, Smt. Genda Devi Degree College, Ch. R.P. Yadav Degree College, Govt. Degree College, Dr. R.M. Lohiya Degree College, etc. As per 2011 census the literacy rate in the district is 61.02% including 71.56% are males and 49% are females.
During the year 2021, there were 14,29,453 domestic tourists and 274 foreign tourists who visited these places of the district. The district has numerous centres of attraction with historical and religious significance which allures many travellers from different parts from different parts of the country as well as world. Some of its notable places of interest are Nadrai ka Pul, 84 Man ka Ghanta, Prabhu Park, Chamunda Mandir, Kali Mandir, Bhuteshwar Mandir, Hulka Mandir, etc. Soronji is the most famous tourist spot in the Kanshiram district since it is the birth place of the famous Indian poet "Goshwami Tulsi Das", who wrote "Ram Charit Manash" at this place.