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Kanpur (Hindustani: ), originally named Kanhapur and formerly anglicized as Cawnpore, is the second largest city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh after Lucknow. It was the primary financial and commercial centre of North India. Founded in the year 1207 by Rajput ruler Raja Kanh Deo, Kanpur became one of the most important commercial and military stations of British Raj. Kanpur had been the major financial and industrial centre of northern India and also the ninth-largest urban economy in India. Today it is famous for its colonial architecture, gardens, sweets, dialect, and high-quality leather, plastic and textile products which are exported mainly to the Western world.
The city is home to historical monuments such as the Jajmau Ghat which dates back to the 17th century AD. Kanpur is also home to several historical sites such as the Kanpur Museum, Bhitargaon Temple, European Cemetery and Nanarao Park.
It is the 12th most populous city and the 11th most populous urban agglomeration in India ( Census of India, 2011). Kanpur was an important British garrison town until 1947, when India gained independence. The urban district of Kanpur Nagar serves as the headquarters of the Kanpur division, Kanpur Range and Kanpur Zone.
Some of the more popular places in Kanpur include JK Temple, Z Square Mall, Blue World Amusement Park, Atal Ghat, Green Park Stadium and Ganges Barrage.
It was the most populous urban city in the 2011 Indian census and the largest urban agglomeration in Uttar Pradesh while the population of city and its suburbs were around 5 million, making it the eighth-most populous metropolitan area in India.
The area was ruled by several rulers of Kannauj, such as Harsha Vardhan, Jai Chand and Mihir Bhoja. It was also ruled by Muslim rulers of the Sur dynasty. In May 1765, Shuja-ud-daula, the Nawab of Awadh, was defeated by the British near Jajmau. From 1773 to 1801, Kanpur was part of the Oudh State, followed by the treaty of 1801 between Nawab Saadat Ali Khan of Awadh and the British, who realized the strategic importance. Several European businessmen established themselves in Kanpur, during this time.
With the first woollen mill of British Raj, commonly known as the Lal Imli (, for a brand produced by the mill) by the British India Corporation established here in 1876 by Alexander MacRobert. The eastern and northern façades of the mill are reminiscent of the Palace of Westminster, due to their architecture, proximity to the Ganga river and with the north-east corner of the mill being topped by a clock tower similar to Big Ben in London. This similarity underscores the city's importance and prestige during the British Raj times, which extends till date; making the Lal Imli — a great highlight of the city. The city is also widely regarded as the "Leather City of the World" and is predominantly nicknamed as the "Manchester of the East", for its chemical, textile and leather industries. Alexander MacRobert has an area named after him in the city, McRobertganj.
Though controversy surrounds what exactly happened at the Sati Chaura Ghat, and who fired the first shot, it is known that, soon afterwards, the departing British were shot at by the sepoys and were either killed or captured. Some of the British officers later claimed that the sepoys had, on purpose, placed the boats as high in the mud as possible, to cause delay. They also claimed that Nana Sahib's camp had previously arranged for the sepoys to fire upon and to kill all of the English. Although the East India Company later accused Nana Sahib of betrayal and murder of innocent people, no evidence has ever been found to prove that Nana Sahib had planned or ordered the massacre. Some historians believe that the Sati Chaura Ghat massacre was the result of confusion and not of any plan implemented by Nana Sahib or of his associates. Lieutenant Mowbray Thomson, one of the four male survivors of the massacre, believed that the rank-and-file sepoys who spoke to him did not know of the killing to come.Surendra Nath Sen (1995). 9788123000930, Publications Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India. ISBN 9788123000930
Many were killed and the remaining 200 British women and children were brought back to shore and sent to a building called the Bibighar ( House of the Ladies). After some time, the commanders of the rebels decided to kill their hostages. The rebel soldiers refused to carry out orders and butchers from the nearby town were brought in to kill the hostages three days before the British entered the city on 18 July. The dismembered bodies were thrown into a deep well nearby. The British, under General Neill, retook the city and committed a series of retaliations against the rebel sepoys and those civilians caught in the area, including women, children and old men. The Cawnpore Massacre, as well as similar events elsewhere, were seen by the British as justification for unrestrained vengeance.Dalrymple, W. 2007. The Last Mughal. The Fall of a Dynasty: Delhi, 1857, Alfred Knopf, New York "Remember Cawnpore" became a British war cry for the rest of the war.
Situated in the flat Indo-Gangetic Plains, Kanpur has an average elevation of 318 m above sea level. The Ganga flows by the city and several are located on its banks, notably the Sati Chaura Ghat and Sarsaiya Ghat. The Brahmavart Ghat located at Bithoor (25 km northwards) is another ghat of religious importance.
Several parks and recreational areas are located in Kanpur. Nana Rao Park and Phool Bagh are among the prominent parks in city that exist from the time of British Raj. The Moti Jheel, a rectangular lake, was originally developed as a drinking water reservoir. The lake has now been developed as a recreational area with a landscaped garden and a children's park. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary is also located near Kanpur.
Years 2008, 2010, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024 were one's when total annual precipitation exceeded/ settled around 1000 mm.
Kanpur has been ranked 5th best “National Clean Air City” (under Category 1 >10L Population cities) in India.
Although final data of census 2023 is yet to be declared, population of Kanpur Nagar District is projected as 63,67,963 in year 2023 (estimation as per aadhar ‘UIDAI’ data).
As per 2011 Census, population of Kanpur City and its suburbs was 30,15,645 making it the largest urban agglomeration of Uttar Pradesh. Thereafter, urban area of Kanpur City has expanded to a large extent. However, limits of its urban area are still pending for approval by the Government. Tentatively population of Kanpur City and Kanpur metropolitan area in 2024 is projected as 39,26,000 and 51,00,000 respectively as per the data available so far.
Awadhi language is the native dialect. Hindi and Urdu are the predominant languages in the city. Punjabi language is spoken by 1.25%, while Bengali language is spoken by over 11,000 people in the city.
| Officials | |
| Divisional Commissioner | Amit Gupta |
| District Magistrate | |
| Police Commissioner | Dr. Ram Krishna Swarnkar |
| Inspector General, Kanpur Range | Prashant Kumar |
| Vice Chairman, Kanpur Development Authority | Vishakh G Iyer Addl. |
| Mayor | |
| Municipal Commissioner | Shivasharanappa G N |
| District Judge | Pradeep Kumar Singh |
| Chief Metropolitan Magistrate | |
Kanpur district administration is headed by the district magistrate of Kanpur, who is an IAS officer. The DM is in charge of property records and revenue collection for the central government and oversees the elections held in the city. The DM is also responsible for maintaining law and order in the city. The DM is assisted by a chief development officer; four additional district magistrates for finance/revenue, city, land acquisition, and civil supply; one city magistrat; and seven additional city magistrates. The district has four viz. Sadar, Bilhaur, Ghatampur and Narwal, each headed by a sub-divisional magistrate. The current DM is Mr. Rakesh Kumar Singh.
The area under the municipal limits of Kanpur city, or Kanpur Municipal Corporation, is spread over an area of 403 square km. It oversees civic activities in the city. The head of the corporation is the mayor, but the executive and administration of the corporation are the responsibility of the municipal commissioner, who is an IAS officer. The executive wing is headed by municipal commissioner, Sudhir kumar and has the following departments: Revenue, City Cleansing, Engineering, Marg Prakash, Health, Accounts, Personnel/HRD, Swasthya Vibhag, Education, Mukya Nagar Lekha Vibhag, Pariyojna, Udyan Vibhag, Chikitsa Vibhag, Encroachment & Cattle Catching Department. There is also an executive committee present in the city.
The development of infrastructure in the city is overseen by Kanpur Development Authority (KDA), which comes under the Housing Department of Uttar Pradesh government. The divisional commissioner of Kanpur acts as the ex-officio Chairman of KDA, whereas a vice chairperson, a government-appointed IAS officer, looks after the daily matters of the authority. The current vice-chairman of Kanpur Development Authority is Shri Madan Singh Garbyal.
The municipality receives revenue from general tax, advertisement tax, income from municipal properties, grants from state government etc.
Electricity is supplied to the city by Kanpur Electricity Supply Company (KESCO), which is under the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL). Fire services are under the state, Uttar Pradesh Fire Service.
Water supply, sewerage is done by the Jal Kal vibhag of KMC. Infrastructure development and maintenance is done by the state's body, UP Jal Nigam. The piped water supply of Kanpur City was started in 1892. After construction of Ganga Barrage on the river, a permanent and reliable source for the water supply got available to provide 1600 mld raw water. The city also receives water from the catchment areas of rivers Ganga and Pandu. However, while the total water supply requirement is 600 mld only 385 mld of potable water is being supplied. The city loses water due to leaky pipes and contamination of natural water sources. There is a severe water crisis in Kanpur.
In 2015, Ganga Pollution Control Unit in Kanpur got about Rs 200 crores to make four STPs functional. The city then reported having three STPs for domestic waste. In 2017, there was only one sewage treatment plant for waste from tanneries, biggest source of industrial pollution to the Ganga, was to be replaced by a newer one costing 400 cr as the old one could only treat 9 MLD at the most. 823.1 MLD of untreated sewage and 212.42 MLD of industrial effluent flow into the river. In 2019, another STP costing worth Rs 816.25 was to be set up. As of 2020, While the government has stopped pollution from Kanpur's biggest drain, Sishamau, of Kanpur's 48 drains, eight still have no devices to stop effluents.
Solid waste management is handled by the KMC. As of 2015, Kanpur generates 1,500 tonnes of solid wastes from domestic and industrial sources, 64,000 tonnes of hazardous waste annually which includes metals and waste generated by tanneries, dye industries and chemical industries; while coal ash produced in Kanpur amounts to 71,000 tonnes per annum.
| Kanpur Central | CNB | North Central Railway | 10 |
| Kanpur Anwarganj | CPA | North Central Railway | 3 |
| Rawatpur | RPO | North Eastern Railway | 1 |
| Kalyanpur | KAP | North Eastern Railway | 1 |
| Mandhana Junction | MDA | North Eastern Railway | 2 |
| Brahmavart | BRT | North Eastern Railway | 1 |
| Govindpuri | GOY | North Central Railway | 3 |
| Panki Dham | PKD | North Central Railway | 3 |
| Chandari Junction | CNBI | North Central Railway | 2 |
| Chakeri | CHK | North Central Railway | 2 |
| Rooma | Rooma | North Central Railway | 2 |
| Kanpur Bridge Left Bank | CPB | Northern Railway | 3 |
Metro: The Kanpur Metro is a Rapid transit system in Kanpur. The metro is owned and operated by the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC). It consists of two lines- Orange Line and Blue Line. The priority corridor of the Orange Line, which connects IIT Kanpur to Motijheel, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 28 December 2021.
| NH 19 | Delhi » Mathura » Agra » Kanpur » Allahabad » Varanasi » Mohania » Aurangabad » Barhi » Palsit » Asansol » Kolkata | 1435 |
| NH 27 | Porbandar » Udaipur » Kota » Shivpuri » Jhansi » Kanpur » Lucknow » Darbhanga » Alipurduar » Guwahati » Silchar | 3507 |
| NH 34 | Gangotri Dham » Rishikesh » Haridwar » Bijnore » Ghaziabad » Aligarh » Kannauj » Kanpur » Hamirpur » Mahoba » Chhatarpur » Jabalpur » Lakhnadon | 1426 |
| NH (Proposed) | Kanpur » Raebareli » Sultanpur » Shahganj » Azamgarh » Gaura Barhaj » Siwan » Muzaffarpur | 581 |
| NE 6 Awadh Expressway (Under Construction) | Kanpur » Lucknow | 62.76 |
| NE 7 Kanpur-Noida Expressway (Proposed) | Kanpur » Kannauj » Mainpuri » Bulandshahr » Noida Branch Hapur | 380 |
| Ganga Expressway | Haridwar » Meerut » Shahjahanpur » Kanpur » Raebareli » Prayagraj » Varanasi » Ballia | 1024 |
| Outer Ring Road Kanpur | Kanpur Metropolitan Area | 93 |
The UPSRTC inter state bus station (ISBT) of Kanpur is officially named as the "Shaheed Major Salman Khan bus station", and is locally known as the "Jhakarkati Bus Station". It provides buses to many important cities of India. Other important bus stations are the Chunniganj bus stand for Farrukhabad, Bareilly and Uttarakhand routes, and the Naubasta bus stand for Hamirpur route. Fazalganj is another hub for private carriers.
Ring road: In 2011, it was reported by The Indian Express that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) planned to develop a four-lane outer ring road along the periphery of Kanpur with an aim to prevent traffic congestion in the city caused by long-distance heavy vehicles. The new road, which would help heavy vehicles to bypass the city, would be developed on Built, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis under the phase-VII of National Highways Development Programme (NHDP).
Kanpur is an important economic center in India with a GDP of ~$9Bn. There was a time when Kanpur was very prosperous but over time it lagged behind other big cities due to continuous negligence from both the Central and State government, as they were diverting funds to other cities, which hampered its growth. According to GDP per capita, it ranks 9th in Uttar Pradesh. Noida and Meerut rank 1st and 2nd notably. While the state capital Lucknow ranks 7th in the state in GDP per capita.
Other educational institutions in the city include three state universities. Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University is one of the largest universities in northern India catering to urban and rural students offering professional and academic courses in the disciplines of Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Engineering, Biotechnology, Computer Applications, Management and Medicine.
Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology is an agricultural university named after the Indian revolutionary Chandrashekhar Azad which caters to the needs of the farming community of 29 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU) offers Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral programs in engineering, as well as Masters programs in Business Administration, and Computer Applications. Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology for Handicapped, an institution to provide technical education to specially-abled students inaugurated by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1997, is also situated in Kanpur.
National Sugar Institute (NSI) is involved in research, training and advisory services to the sugar and allied industry, and functions under the Department of Food and Public Distribution of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
There are also private universities in the city such as Rama University, which is part of the Rama Group.Private University Uttar Pradesh; http://www.ugc.ac.in/privateuniversitylist.aspx?id=33&Unitype=3 There are several private technical and management institutions in the city such as Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology, Axis Institute of Technology And Management, which are affiliated by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University.
Lala Lajpat Rai Hospital in Kanpur is commonly known as "Hallet" because of its origins. It was initially established during the British colonial period and named after a British civil surgeon, Dr. George Henry Hallet, who served in the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) and contributed to the field of public health. Although the hospital was later renamed to honor Lala Lajpat Rai, a prominent Indian freedom fighter, the original name, "Hallet," continued to be widely used by locals.
The hospital, along with Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial (GSVM) Medical College, is still known colloquially as "Hallet Hospital," a testament to its historical roots and Dr. Hallet's influence during the colonial era.
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