Demographics
As per the 2011 census, Etawah city had a population of 256,790, of which males were 135,829, and females were 120,961 - an increase of 22% from 211,460 in 2001 census. (The entire Etawah district had a population of 1,581,810 in 2011.) The literacy rate was 82.89 per cent. Hinduism is majority religion in Etawah city with 74.64% followers. Islam is second most popular religion in city of Etawah with approximately 23.61% following it. In Etawah city, Christinity is followed by 0.19%, Jainism by 1.05%, Sikhism by 0.24% and Buddhism by 0.24%. Around 0.01% stated 'Other Religion', approximately 0.19% stated 'No Particular Religion'. Main spoken languages are Hindi (98.20%), Urdu (1.75%), Sindhi (0.01%) Total no. of Slums in Etawah city numbers 5,528 in which population of 33,188 resides. This is around 12.92% of total population of Etawah city.Name
During Rajput era the king of Chauhan dynasty Sumershah had gone to the bank of the Yamuna river in Etawah, where he saw an incredible act of nature. He saw a goat and a wolf drinking water together on the bank of the Yamuna. After seeing this incident, the king went to astrologers and consulted about the incident, who advised him to build a fort at the place where the wolf and the goat were drinking water together. According to astrological calculation, building a fort would benefit the king.When construction work of the fort started at the decided location, then, while digging foundation the laborers working there found a brick of gold and silver, which made them excited and they started shouting "Eeet Mili, Eeet Mili" after hearing which the place was named as "Eeet Aaya" which later turned into ‘Etawah’. Etawah is still sometimes referred to as the city of bricks and both tradition and the appearance of the ground suggest that the modern city was founded on an ancient Khera or town site, so that it is not improbable that the existence of old bricks or old brick kilns may have led to its present name. According to some scholars the region from Bateshwar in district Agra to Bhareh was known as ‘Ishtapath’ and there are a large number of temples of Lord Siva who was ‘Isht Dev’ of the people of that region. From the word ‘Isht’ the town was given the name of Ishtkapuri a reference to which is found in Bhareshya Puran.https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s374db120f0a8e5646ef5a30154e9f6deb/uploads/2018/08/2018083193.pdfHistory
Ancient era
It is believed that the land existed right from the Bronze Age in the medieval times. It once formed part of the ancient country of Panchala which is said to have extended from the foot of the Himalayas in the north to the river Chambal in the south. This region rose into great prominence during the period of Mahabharata. Many local traditions are attached to the modern Chakar Nagar which is a tehsil nearby which most probably seems to be Ekchakra mentioned in Mahabharata. It was Ekchakra where Pandavas along with their mother Kunti spent their secret abode of one year during the period of their exile. There is a belief that the city was founded by King Bharat. During the fourth century A.D., Guptas once again established imperial unity in India. The Chinees traveler Fa-Hien also visited a city named ‘A-lo i.e. Alvi, which has been identified with modern Airwa nearly town, and spent his treat at the Dragon Shrine. Fa-Hien described it as "a city near a large forest" (atavi). There are the remains of Buddhist and Jain temples evidently of every ancient date in large number. In the ninth and tenth centuries, this region was under the rule of Gurjara Pratihara rulers. The conquest of Kannauj by Nagabhata II handed Pratiharas control over this region. But the place was said to be evolved as an affluent region under Mihir Bhoj, the Pratihara King. With the coronation of Harsha as a king (in 606 AD) the city came under the Thaneshwar dynasty. Hiuen Tsang in his works has also dwelt upon the prosperity of this region.Medieval Era
The defeat of Jaichandra of Kannauj in the battle of Chandawer in 1193 A.D at the hand of Shahab-ud-din Ghori, the city passed under influence of Muslim power, which by end of the century held in different degrees of subjection the whole of North India except Malwa and some contiguous districts.Muslim rule in Etawah faced Maratha invasion for short period within their rule in Etawah. However, the local history of the city during the early years of the thirteenth century is more or less the account of the settlement and emergence of certain Rajput clans. The Gaurs occupied part of Phaphund and Bidhuna near the Kanpur boundary, both falling in turn to Chandelas of Mahoba. The Chauhans occupied the western portion of the district, with extensive tracts now in Mainpuri. During this period; however, some disturbance related to tax arouse in Nasir-ud-din Muhammad Shah's rule, yet these issues were put to end by Tomar ruler of Gwalior in 1390. In 1400–1401 Mallu Iqbal Khan marched towards this region and was opposed by Rai Sumar Singh or Sabir of Etawah and other Zamindars of the vicinity on the banks of the Ab-i-Siyah (Kali Nadi) near Patiali. The opposing army of Rai was defeated and chased down to the confines of Etawah where they took shelter.Etawah was associated with various important historical events like Jaunpur Campaign, reigns of rulers like Bahlol Lodhi, Ibrahim Lodhi, Babur, Humayun and Akbar. In the fourth year of Akbar's reign, Bahadur Khan a younger brother of Ali Quli Khan was granted the jagir of Etawah at the instance of Maham Anka, the foster mother of the Emperor. After this, Etawah district undergone major changes during reign of Rohillas and Oudh Government.Colonial Era
The cession on November 10, 1801, the city was made over to the British Government by the Nawab Saadat Ali Khan together with the rest of the lower Doab and other tracts. This action was taken in return for a guarantee of protection, and by way of payment for the maintenance of the Oadh local forces which were ultimately stationed at Kanpur. Still for some years Etawah was threatened with Maratha inroads, while scenes occurred with the zamindars in the earlier years of the British administration which recall the experiences of the imperial officers in the 16th century, and it was not until the zamindars of Saudaus, Sahson and Kamait had been finally settled with in 1816 A.D.Mutiny of 1857
On December 25, 1857, a British Column arrived in the city. Kunwar Johar Singh now surrounded and blew up the Etawah tahsil building from where Taj Khan, was resisting the British advance. On 6 January 1858 the British reoccupied Etawah, but struggle was hardly crushed.Freedom Struggle
In 1907 rumours were afloated in Etawah that Zorawar Singh Nigam, had organized a conspiracy to throw out the British. But on enquiry it was found baseless and a person Khalil who was responsible for rumour was arrested and sentenced. In 1914–15, the city came into prominence as a centre of revolutionary activity when Gendalal Dixit, a teacher at Auraiya nearby town, formed the Shivaji Samitti with object of liberating the country. Gendalal Dixit had also organized a group of young men called ‘Matri-Vedi’. In 1920 Mahatama Gandhi launched his non-cooperation movement all over the country. In Etawah, the response of the people to this movement was enthusiastic and wide spread. In 1920–21, the district congress committee was formed with Maulana Rahamat Ullah as its president. In 1925, Jyoti Shankar Dixit of Etawah was arrested in connection with the Kakori conspiracy case but later released. In 1928, bycott of the Simen Commission; followed by; the civil disobedience movement in 1930 and Quit India Movement 1942 were started in Etawah, as in other parts of the country. After Independence of India till January, 1974, 548 freedom fighters were awarded Tamra Patras, i.e. copper plates containing a record of the services rendered by them or their forebears.Municipal Council, Etawah
Municipal Council, Etawah was founded through Notificatin-332 date 11 July 1884 on 16 August 1884. At that time district was divided into 10 wards.Now it has 36 wards . The chairman is Noshaba Khanam Furqan with Executive Officer Shri Anil Kumar .Climate
Communal Clashes
In 1885 when Dussehra and Muharram coincided, communal disturbances broke out between the Hindus and the Muslims.Politics
Until the 1980s, the regional politics was largely dominated by the Congress. The region saw several changes in the succeeding decades which led to a reconfiguration of political power. Until the 80s the upper castes often used coercion to get votes from the lower caste majority in the region. The lower castes began to assert themselves much more forcefully. Two leaders, Chaudhary Charan Singh, a Jat leader who briefly became prime minister in 1979, and Mulayam Singh Yadav became faces for opposition to the Congress. Moreover, dacoits from backward castes strengthened, asserting control over land and political power.Economy
Manufacturing (Industries) Share in GDP Manufacturing accounted for 22142 lakhs at Current Prices (2015–16), 19646 Lakhs at Constant Price (2011–12Transport
Air
City is served by Saifai Domestic Airport, which is around 15 km from city center. The airport has only unscheduled chartered flights. The nearest domestic airport is at Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Airport which is 175 km. The nearest International Airport isRail
Road
Etawah is well-connected by roads with the rest ofEducation
Colleges
*Schools
* Archana Memorial SGM Inter College, Affiliated by Board Of High School and Intermediate Education, Uttar Pradesh Etawah . * Arya Kenya Inter college, Etawah, Affiliated by Board Of High School and Intermediate Education, Uttar Pradesh, near Naurangabaad crossing, Etawah. * Delhi Public School, Etawah, NH 19, Etawah. * Epsilon Institute of Mathematics, Saifai Road, Etawah * Government girls inter college, Etawah, Affiliated by Board Of High School and Intermediate Education, Uttar Pradesh, Idgaah road, Etawah. * Government Inter College, Etawah (since 1918), Affiliated by Board Of High School and Intermediate Education, Uttar Pradesh, station road, Etawah. * Gyan Sthali Academy, Katra Shamsher, Etawah . * Gyan Sthali Residential School, BSENH-2, Sarai Jalal, Etawah. * H. M. S Islamia Inter College is one of the oldest schools of the city affiliated to Board of Secondary Education, Uttar Pradesh. * Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Samhon, Etawah * Kendriya Vidyalaya, Etawah. * Mount Litera Zee School, Farrukhabad Road, Sai City Udaypur, Etawah * Saraswati Vidya Mandir, Etawah * Seven Hills, Ekta Colony, Etawah * Shakuntlam International School, Agra-Bah road, Udi Mod, Etawah. * St. Mary's Inter College, Etawah is an English medium School affiliated to CBSE, New Delhi and NCERT published books onwards. It has run for over 50 years. * St. Vivekanand Senior Secondary Public School, Alampur Hauz, Agra Road, Etawah is a residential cum day scholar English medium school affiliated to CBSE. The school is under Sir Madanlal Group of Institutions (SMGI). * Suditi Global Academy, Nagla Lallu, Phulrai, Post Dhanua, Jaswantnagar, Etawah The school is affiliated to CBSE * Suditi Global Academy, Vicharpur, NH 19, Etawah * Theosophical Inter College, S.D. Field, EtawahPlaces of interest
Bhareh ka Qila, Boddh Sculptures, Bais Khwaja, National Chambal Sanctuary, Tixi Temple, Jains Temple, Nilkanth Temple, Kaaliwahan Temple, St. Mary Church, Company Bagh Garden, St. Mary GardenEtawah Safari Park
The uniqueness ofNational Chambal Sanctuary
National Chambal Sanctuary is spread over the Agra and Etawah districts, and a total of 290 different species of migratory and resident birds have been identified in the region so far. Winter is the best time to visit the sanctuary. A boat ride in its tranquil waters during this time is an exhilarating experience with spectacular sightings of the big reptiles basking along the 180 km sparkling sand stretches in the morning sun. But the main draw of the sanctuary are the flamingoes that arrive here in November and stay until May. The Rudy Shelduck also arrives a little earlier in September and stays here until May. The Indian Skimmers have huge colonies in the sanctuary and breed prolifically here.Sarsai Nawar Wetland
Sarsai Nawar Wetland is a Ramsar enlisted site wetland, en route to Saman Wildlife Sanctuary, in Etawah District of Uttar Pradesh. It comprises two small lakes that attract Sarus Cranes, White Ibis and other water birds in large numbers. It has a large population of the threatened species of Sarus Cranes, the world's tallest flying birds. Ten Sarus Crane pairs breed here regularly, which is more than twice the number of breeding pairs in the bird sanctuary of Bharatpur in Rajasthan. In winters, almost more than 40,000 migratory birds from northern arc visit Sarsai Nawar wetland.Agra-Etawah Cycle Highway
Agra-Etawah Cycle Highway in Uttar Pradesh now has Asia's first cycle highway. A first-of-its-kind project, the 207-km-long cycle highway runs between Etawah and Agra and was declared open on Saturday, 27 November 2016. The track begins from the lion safari in Etawah. On its way to Agra are tourist destinations like Naugava ka Quila, Raja Bhoj ki Haveli, and Bateshwarnath Temple. It ends at the eastern gate of the Taj Mahal in Agra.Notable Buildings
Religious
* Hajari Mahadev Temple Sarsai Nawar * Kundeshwar Mahadev Temple, Agra-Bah road, Udi Mod, Etawah * Kali Vahan Mandir, Gwalior Road Etawah * Neel Kanth Mahadev Mandir (Lord Shiva Temple) * Maa Kalika Devi Mandir, Lakhna, Etawah * Pachnada, Etawah * Shahi Jama Masjid * Sai Mandir * Tixi Temple Etawah * Pilua Mahavir * Brahmani Devi * Pili Kothi * Nasia Ji Digambar Jain Temple * Bharehshwar Mahadev Mandir, BharehNotable people
* K. Asif, film director was born in Etawah * Pia Bajpiee, actress born in Etawah * Sarita Bhadauria, MLA from Etawah * Ghulam Mustafa Burdwani, former Mufti of Etawah *References
External links