At the time of its creation, the state government decided to name the new district "Bhimnagar" in honour of the social reformer, Bhimrao Ambedkar.

[2] Sambhal had been known by the same name for over 500 years, had been an important town in medieval India, and had never had any connection with Bhimrao Ambedkar, a Dalit icon.

[3] The district of Sambhal is part of the Moradabad division in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

[5] The districts which adjoin Sambhal are (clockwise from north) Amroha, Moradabad, Rampur, Badaun, Aligarh and Bulandshahr.

Sambhal lies 158.6 kilometres (98.5 mi) due east from New Delhi, past Ghaziabad, Noida and Hapur.