Kannauj District forms part of Kanpur division in
Uttar Pradesh. One of the ancient places of India, it is steeped in history. In early times, it was known as Kanyakubja or Mahodya, which in course of time got changed as Kannauj. Numerous pre-historic tools, weapons and statues dating back to the Bronze age have been found here. Fa-hien, the Chinese pilgrim visited Kannauj between 399 and 414, during the reign of Chandragupta II.
Kannauj is surrounded by Farrukhabad District in the north, Hardoi District in the east, Kanpur Dehat District in the south-east, Mainpuri District in the west, and Etawah District in the south. The population is 1.3 million, distributed over an area of 2,058 sq km. The Ganges, Kali, and Ishan are the major rivers. The average rain fall is about 80 cm.
Sugarcane, tilhan (an oil-seed), and potato are the main agricultural products. Perfume industries and beedi industries are here. There are many places of religious and tourist interest including Archaeological museum,
Lakh Bahosi Wildlife Sanctuary,
Gauri Shankar temple, and Annapurna temple.
