RAE BARELI

town, administrative headquarters of Rae Bareli district, Uttar Pradesh state, northern India, southeast of Lucknow, on the Sai River. Named for the Bhar people, it is a road and rail junction and an agricultural trade centre. Industries include the milling of agricultural products and handloom weaving. The town contains a 15th-century fort and other ancient buildings. Rae Bareli district, 1,777 sq mi (4,603 sq km) in area, is a stretch of fairly level plain drained principally by the Sai and Ganges rivers. There are extensive forests, with mango and mahua groves. Crops include rice, wheat, barley, and millet. Pop. (1981) town, 89,697; district, 1,886,940.