Malihabad is a town and a municipal board in the Lucknow district of the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is situated approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) southeast of Lucknow, the state capital, and forms part of the Lucknow metropolitan region.
Geography
The town lies on the fertile Indo-Gangetic plain, at an elevation of about 123 metres (404 ft) above sea level. The surrounding area is characterized by alluvial soil, which supports intensive agriculture.
Administration
Malihabad functions as a tehsil (administrative subdivision) within Lucknow district. The municipal board administers civic services for the town and its adjoining villages. The area falls under the Malihabad Assembly constituency for the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly and the Lucknow parliamentary constituency for the Lok Sabha.
Demographics
According to the 2011 Census of India, the Malihabad tehsil had a total population of roughly 200,000, with the town itself accounting for about 45,000 inhabitants. The sex ratio is close to the state average, and the literacy rate exceeds 70 percent, with higher literacy among males than females.
Economy
Malihabad is internationally renowned for its mango production, particularly the Dasheri, Langra, and Chausa varieties. The region’s mango orchards cover several thousand hectares, and the town hosts a seasonal mango market that attracts traders from across India and abroad. The mango trade contributes significantly to the local economy and provides seasonal employment to a large portion of the population. Apart from mangoes, the agricultural sector also cultivates wheat, rice, and various pulses.
Transportation
The town is connected to Lucknow and other nearby cities by a network of state highways. The Lucknow–Varanasi railway line passes near Malihabad, with the Malihabad railway station providing passenger services. Regular bus services operated by both state-run and private operators link Malihabad with Lucknow, Kanpur, and other regional centers.
Education and Health
Malihabad hosts several primary and secondary schools, both government‑run and private, as well as a few colleges offering undergraduate courses in arts, commerce, and science. Health facilities include a community health centre, several private clinics, and a district hospital in Lucknow that serves the wider population.
Cultural and Historical notes
The name “Malihabad” is derived from the Persian words malih (meaning “pleasant” or “beautiful”) and abad (meaning “settlement” or “town”), a naming convention common during the Mughal period. The town’s history includes periods of patronage under various regional rulers, and it became a focal point for mango cultivation during the British colonial era, when improved horticultural practices were introduced.
Notable persons
- Maharaja Harbans Singh (1910–1976), a former landowner known for pioneering modern mango orchard management in the region.
- Shri Raghunath Singh (born 1952), a politician who has served as a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly representing the Malihabad constituency.
References
- Census of India, 2011. “District Census Handbook: Lucknow.” Government of India.
- Uttar Pradesh Agricultural Department. “Mango Production in Malihabad.” 2020.
- Government of Uttar Pradesh. “Lucknow District Gazetteer.” 2015.
