Datia district, a part of Gwalior division is a district of Madhya Pradesh with its administrative headquarters located at Datia city. During the period of Mahabharata era, the place was known as Daityavakra. Earlier Datia was a part of the Bundelkhand region and also administered as part of the Bundelkhand agency of Central India. The place was situated in the extreme north-west of Bundelkhand near Gwalior which surrounded from all the three sides by other princely states of Central India, except on the east where it bordered upon the United Provinces. At that time the Rajputs of the Bundela clan were the ruling family in the region. During that period of time, after Orchha it was in the second position among all the states of Bundela region, with a 15-gun salute. In the year 1950, Datia including the other areas of the Bundelkhand agency, became a part of the newly formed Vindhya Pradesh state. Finally, the places of Vindhya Pradesh state with some other areas were merged to form the Madhya Pradesh state in 1956.

Geographically, the district lies at 25°67'N latitude, 78°46'E longitude and 264 m Altitude. In the year 2021, there was a total 7.33% forest area of total geographical area. The district encompasses a geographical area of 2,902 sq km. and in terms of geographical area it occupies the ranks of 49th in the state and 401st in India. It is bounded by Bhind district on the north, Shivpuri district on the south, Jhansi district on the east and Gwalior district on the west. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 932.1 mm in the year of 2021-22.

Administration wise, the district is divided into 3 tehsils namely Datia, Seondha and Bhander. There are 1 Lok Sabha seat and 3 Assembly constituencies in the district. Moreover, the district comprises 4 sub-districts, 5 towns and 631 villages. The administrative language in the district is Hindi.

According to 2011 census the district has a population of 7,86,754 out of which 4,20,157 are males and 3,66,597 are females. The district has a sex ratio of 873 females for every 1000 males. During the year 2001-2011 the population growth rate in the district was 25.23% including 24.22% were males and 26.41% were females. The population density in the district is 271 persons per sq. km. In the year 2020 the number of live births in the district was 15,219 out of which 8,143 were males and 7,076 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 5,382 out of which 3,393 were males and 1,989 were females. As per 2011 census the major religion in the district is Hindu with 95.04% of the total population. According to 2011 census the principal language in the district is Hindi with 99.27%.

Agriculture is the backbone of the district. The fertile soil of the district is suitable for the various agricultural products. Most of the population in the district are engaged in agriculture in order to earn their livelihood. The chief agricultural products in the district are all food grains and cotton. The adoption of the new agricultural technologies amongst the famers of the district helps to increase the production of various agricultural items. The district is scantily industrialised but some small scale industries of handloom are found in it. In the year 2019-20 the gross domestic product in the district was Rs. 9,86,660 lakhs at current price and Rs. 5,73,280 lakhs at constant prices in the year 2011-2012. The net domestic product in the district during the period 2019-20 was Rs. 9,16,549 lakh at current price and Rs. 5,19,238 lakh at constant prices in the year 2011-2012. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, At Factor Cost during the period 2019-20 was Rs. 1,02,063 at current price and Rs. 57,820 at constant prices in the year 2011-2012.

It is an abode of several reputed educational institutions. It provides a platform for higher education. Some of its recognised educational institutions are Govt Vijayaraje Scindia College, Govt Girls College, Govt Govind Degree College, Govt PG College, Govt College, etc. As per 2011 census the literacy rate in the district is 72.63% including 84.2% are males and 59.41% are females.

The district has numerous centres of attraction which allures many travellers from different parts of the country as well world. Peetambra Peeth, located near the Datia city is the renowned "Sakti-Peeth" of the country. At the same place "Bagla Mukhi Devi" and "Dhumawati Mai" temples were built by Sh. Golokwasi Swamiji Maharaj. There is also a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva named Vankhandeshwar Temple. Beer Singh Deo Mahal, the seven-storied palace was built in the year 1614 by Raja Beer Singh Deo. Rajgarh Palace, situated near Peetambra-Peeth was constructed by King Shatrujit Bundela which depicts the Bundeli Architecture. There is a great collection of geological and cultural things in its museum. Unao, a place located at a distance of 17 km. from Datia headquarters has a Balaji Sun temple of pre-historic times which is also popularly known as Balaji Dham. People from far distant places come to this temple to offer their prayer. Some other places of interest in the district are Sonagiri, Ashoka's Shilalekh, Badoni, Seondha, Bhander, Botonical Garden, Pancham Kavi Ki Toriya, Udnu Ki Toriya, etc.