While there is no official explanation for its name, local tradition suggests that "Sitapur" is associated with Sita, the wife of Lord Ram.

Subsequently, King Vikramaditya is said to have founded the city in her honor, naming it Sitapur to commemorate her legacy.

Historical references, such as those found in Abul Fazal's "Ain-i-Akbari," indicate that during the reign of Akbar, the place was known as Chatyapur or Chitiapur.

[2] Even earlier, under the Delhi Sultanate, it appears that the territory of the current district was part of the province of Bahraich, but this is unclear because contemporary sources do not mention this area.

[2] During the reign of Akbar, the area of today's Sitapur district was divided between four sarkars, all in the Subah of Awadh.

[2] Most of it was in the sarkar of Khairabad: this area comprised the mahals of Haveli Khairabad, Hargam, Laharpur, Biswan, Machhrehta, Sitapur (called "Chhitiapur" in the Ain-i-Akbari), Sadrpur, Nimkhar (a large territory including the later parganas of Aurangabad, Misrikh, and Maholi), and Kharkila (later Korauna).

[2] In addition, the pargana of Chandra was then part of Gopamau in today's Hardoi district, which was also in Khairabad sarkar.

[2] Under the later Mughal emperors and then the Nawabs of Awadh, Khairabad remained a relatively unimportant command, rarely mentioned in contemporary sources.

[2] After the British annexed Awadh in 1856, they selected Sitapur to serve as the headquarters of a new district in Khairabad division.

[2] The area between the Chauka and Ghaghra rivers briefly formed a separate district based at Mallanpur, which was part of Bahraich Division.

[2] It was decided before the 1857 uprising to abolish Mallanpur district, but it was not carried out until 1858 after the end of the conflict, and the parts south of the Dahawar were annexed to Sitapur.

Gomti is the most important tributary flows in the eastern part of the district and engulfs above mentioned small rivers.

There are five rivers flowing through the district of Sitapur: Gomti, Kathana, Pirai, Sarayan, Ghaghra and Sharda.

The gradual rise in temperature starts in the months of February and becomes more rapid by March and April unless checked by more humid easterlies.

The district of the study does not show much influence of Himalaya which otherwise tend to lower the temperatures in the places nearby as in the case of Meerut and Gonda.

The pre-monsoon showers are meager and this along with low humidity accentuates the impact of loo which at times changes into heat waves with exceptionally high temperature.

The district is divided into seven tehsils namely Sitapur, Biswan, Maholi, Mishrikh, Laharpur, Mahmudabad and Sidhauli and 19 blocks namely Pisawan, Maholi, Misrikh, Machhrehta, Gondlamau, Ailiya, Hargaon, Parsendi, Khairabad, Laharpur, Behta, Reusa, Sakran, Biswan, Pahala, Mahmudabad, Rampur Mathura, Kasmanda and Sidhauli.

The fertile plains of the region support the cultivation of various crops, including wheat, sugarcane, rice, and pulses, making agriculture a vital part of the local economy.

Additionally, Sitapur is known for its production of handloom textiles and traditional crafts, which contribute to the livelihood of many artisans in the area.

The district has also seen a gradual increase in small-scale industries and trade, bolstered by its strategic location and improving infrastructure.

This designation is expected to enhance agricultural and industrial investments in the area, ultimately providing a significant boost to the local economy.

[12] Despite these developments, challenges such as seasonal flooding and reliance on monsoon rains continue to impact agricultural productivity and the overall economic stability of the region.

The mill started its first cane crushing on 28 December 1994 to manufacture plantation white sugar, using the double sulphitation process.

The factory is situated at Mahmoodabad Tehsil of Sitapur District and its present crushing capacity is 2,750 tonnes (3,030 tons) of sugarcane per day.

[17] The Kamlapur mill in has a capacity of crushing 4,000 tonne of sugar cane a day and also a 6 MW power generating plant.

[18] The district is traversed by broad gauge train network connecting Gorakhpur and Delhi via Gonda, Burhwal, bypassing Lucknow and Hardoi.

The major towns of the district Sidhauli, Mishrikh, Maholi, Hargaon, Biswan, Mahmudabad etc.are well connected with rails.

Misrikh, near Naimisharanya, holds its religious significance due to the belief that Maharshi Dadhichi donated his bones to Devatas for making Vajras.