It covered most of present-day Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh state and the eastern portion of Ashoknagar District of Madhya Pradesh state.

Before 1811, the district was the state of Chanderi, and ruled by Bundela Rajputs descended from the kings of Orchha.

Chanderi was annexed in 1811 by Maharaja Daulat Rao Sindhia of neighboring Gwalior in 1811.

The district was captured by rebels during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, and was not recaptured by the British until late in 1858.

The portion of the district west of the Betwa River, including the town of Chanderi, was returned to Gwalior in 1861, and the portion east of the Betwa was renamed Lalitpur District.