Barabanki district, a part of Faizabad division is a district if Uttar Pradesh state with its administrative headquarters located at Barabanki town. The Barabanki district is popularly known as the 'Entrance to Poorvanchal' and also a sacred place since it is the penance ground to numerous saints and ascetics. There are numbers of mythological stories associated with the naming of the district. The most popular among them is that, during the ancient period the place was known as 'Baanhanya' since the reincarnation of 'Bhagwan Baarah' was happened on this poise land. But with the passage of time the earlier name of the place was changed to Barabanki. For a very long period the place was ruled by the Chandravanshi kings. In the great epic Mahabharata it is mentioned that it was a part of the 'Gaurav Rajya' during that era. After the British came to India, many kings and princes opposed the speedy expansion of British rule into this region by declaring wars against them. During the British Raj, several kings fought for their independence and also gave their lives while doing so. The notable, Raja Balbhadra Singh Chehlari along with about 1000 revolutionaries sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom. The last battle of the First War of Indian Independence was fought in December 1858 AD here in this district. Moreover, the natives of the district participated actively in the Indian Independence Movements like the Khilafat movement, which was against the foreign fabrics, materials, etc. Whenever, someone unfolds the history of Uttar Pradesh, it is obvious to remember the Barabanki out post bomb case occurred on 26th October, 1942 in which Brij Bahadur and Hans Raj alias Sardar planted a bomb in police out post at Barabanki.

Kunwar Digvijay Singh, a distinguished former Indian field hockey player was born on 2th February, 1922 at Barabanki town. The Government of India conferred him with the prestigious Padmashri Award in 1958.

Geographically, the district lies at 26°93'N latitude, 81°19'E longitude and 125 m altitude. In the year 2021, there was a total 2.26% forest area of total geographical area. The district encompasses a geographical area of 4,402 sq. km. and in terms of geographical area it occupies the rank of 18th in the state and 274th in India. It is bounded by Sitapur district and Bahraich district on the North, Raebareli district and Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Nagar district on the South, Gonda district and Faizabad district on the East and Lucknow district on the West. The prominent rivers that passes through the district are Ghaghra, Gomti and Kalyani. The climate of the district remains extremely hot during the summer and fairly cold in the winter. On the other hand the monsoon of the district is generally moist and relax. The actual rainfall in the district was 1375.2 mm in the year of 2021-22.

Administration wise, the district is divided into 6 tehsils namely Nawabganj, Fatehpur, Ramsanehi Ghat, Haidergarh, Ram Nagar and Sirauli Ghauspur. Moreover, it comprises 15 towns and 1,839 villages. The administrative language in the district is Hindi.

According to 2011 census the district has a population of 32,60,699 out of which 17,07,073 are males and 15,53,626 are females. The district has a sex ratio of 910 females for every 1000 males. During the year 2001-2011 the population growth rate in the district was 21.96% including 20.48% were males and 23.63% were females. The population density in the district is 741 persons per sq. km. In the year 2020 the number of live births in the district was 89,517 including 46,049 were males and 43,468 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 13,946 out of which 7,897 were males and 6,049 were females. As per 2011 census the major religions in the district are Hindu and Muslim with 76.84% and 22.61% of the total population. According to 2011 census the principal language in the district is Hindi with 93.74%.

The economy of the district is mainly based on agriculture. The chief agricultural products in the district are wheat, rice, maize, sugarcane, opium, potato, tomato, spices, mushroom, banana, etc. Every year a huge chunk of revenue comes from these agricultural products helps in its economy to a great extent. Besides agriculture, the economy of the district is also more or less dependent on bio-gas plants, animal husbandry and small-scale industries. Menthol farming in the district is very famous. Livestock based farming system is commonly found in the district. Broiler farming, Bee keeping, Fish cultivation, etc are some of the core economic activities of the district. The Indian Agricultural department has established a Regional Agriculture Seed Testing & Demonstration Station in the district. The district is scantily industrialised since it has only a few polyfibers and agro based industries. Recently, a solar plant was inaugurated on 10th May, 2012 and become operational in January 2013. In the year 2020-21 the gross domestic product in the district was Rs. 28,15,566 lakh at Current Price and Rs. 18,39,594 lakh at Constant Prices during the year 2011-2012. The Net Domestic Product in the district during the period 2020-21 was Rs. 24,87,417 lakh at Current Price and Rs. 15,87,250 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. 65,218 at Current Price and Rs. 41,616 at Constant Prices in the year 2011-2012.

The district is well known as an abode of several reputed educational institutions. It provides a platform for higher education. Some of its recognised educational institutions are Hindustan Institute of Medical Sciences, Sagar Institute of Technology and Management, Chandra Dental College and Hospital, Sherwood College of Engineering Research and Technology, Seth Vishambhar Nath Institute of Engineering and Technology, Jahangirabad Institute of Technology, etc. As per 2011 census the literacy rate in the district is 61.75% including 70.27% are males and 52.34% are females. The total number of literates in the district is 16,92,458 including 10,10,518 are males and 6,81,940 are females.

Mohsina Kidwai, present a member of Rajya Sabha elected from the Raipur constituency of Chhattisgarh was born on 1st January, 1932 at Ahmadpur village in the Barabanki district. Currently, she is a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and also the All India Congress Committee (AICC).

During the year 2021, there were 23,86,278 domestic tourists who visited these places of the district. The district has several centres of attraction which allures many travellers from different parts of the country as well as world. Mahadeva Temple, located on the banks of the Ghaghara River at Ram Nagar in the district is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Many ancient historical stories are associated with this temple. Every year on the occasion of the Mahashivratri a huge fair is organized in it. Dewa, situated at a distance of 12 km. from the district headquarters is a sacred town since it is the birth place of Haji Waris Ali Shah. Siddhaur, located almost 50 km. away from the district headquarters was earlier popularly known as Siddhpura but in course of time it came to be called as Siddhaur. The place is renowned for its Siddheshwar Mahadev temple. A mausoleum of Sufi Saint Qazi Qutub is also found in this place. Some other notable places of interest in the district are Parijaat, Badosarai, Kintur, Satrikh, etc.