Bhadohi: Carpet Industry Defines Its Identity as District Witnesses Repeated Name Changes and Political Shifts
Bhadohi, located in eastern Uttar Pradesh, is internationally recognised for its handmade carpets and is widely known as the country's Carpet City. However, beyond its traditional craft industry, the district has also remained in the spotlight because of repeated changes to its name and significant political developments. Ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, its changing identity has once again drawn attention.
A District with a Changing Name
Bhadohi was carved out of Varanasi district on June 30, 1994, during the tenure of then Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, becoming Uttar Pradesh's 65th district. In December 1997, the Mayawati government renamed it Sant Ravidas Nagar. On November 12, 1999, the BJP government led by Chief Minister Ram Prakash Gupta combined the two names, giving it the identity of Sant Ravidas Nagar-Bhadohi.
The name changed again on December 6, 2014, when the Akhilesh Yadav government restored Bhadohi. In 2026, the Yogi Adityanath government announced another change, bringing Sant Ravidas Nagar back into the district's official identity. The repeated changes have reflected shifts in political power and competing historical and cultural considerations.
Carpets Give the District Global Recognition
The carpet industry remains the backbone of Bhadohi's economy. Generations of artisans are engaged in hand-knotted carpets, weaving, dyeing, designing and export-related activities. The region is also recognised under Uttar Pradesh's One District One Product scheme, with carpets as its signature product. Its handmade carpets carry a Geographical Indication tag associated with the Bhadohi identity.
Political Equations and Electoral Significance
The district has three Assembly constituencies: Bhadohi, Gyanpur and Aurai. At present, Zahid of the Samajwadi Party represents Bhadohi, Vipul Dubey of the Nishad Party represents Gyanpur, and Deenanath Bhaskar of the BJP represents Aurai.
The Lok Sabha constituency has also witnessed changing political fortunes. BSP's Gorakhnath Pandey won in 2009, BJP's Virendra Singh in 2014, and BJP candidate Dr Vinod Kumar Bind secured victory in 2024. With the next Assembly elections approaching, Bhadohi's identity, traditional industry and political equations are likely to remain important subjects of public discussion.
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