BUDAUN

city, north-central Uttar Pradesh state, northern India. It lies near the Sot River, a tributary of the Ganges. Budaun is said to have been founded about AD 905 by Buddh, a Hindu raja. In the 13th century it was an important frontier outpost of the Muslim kingdom of Delhi, and the community remained the seat of a provincial governorship until replaced by Bareilly in 1657. It became a district headquarters in 1838. Situated on a major road and rail line, it is primarily an agricultural-trade centre, with some small industries. The city contains a large mosque, the Jami' Mosque, built in 1223 and restored in the 14th, 16th, and 19th centuries. There is also a ruined fort. The surrounding area's crops include rice, wheat, barley, millet, and gram (chick-pea). Pop. (1991 prelim.) 116,706.