Babina, Uttar Pradesh

It is said that Babina is an anacronym for British Army Base in North Asia. While this has been endorsed by the Cantonment Board of Babina,[1] it appears to be a backronym that has been endorsed without due verification.

Contrary to what the alleged anacronym suggests, the cantonment at Babina had no association with the British Raj, and was opened in 1959, 12 years after the British left India. Furthermore, India is considered to be a part of South Asia, and not North Asia as the anacronym suggests. This suggests that the popular anacronym is very likely a modern invention and is not based on factual evidence.

Jhansi district is the headquarters of the 31st Indian Armoured Division, stationed at Jhansi-Babina. It is an armored division which has equipment like M3 Lee [Historian] and M4 Sherman tanks [Historian]. There has been a joint exercise from 1 to 30 Mar 2012 with the Singaporean Army at Jhansi witnessed by the President of India, Pratibha Patil.[2]

Babina is located at 25.25°N 78.47°E / 25.25; 78.47.[3] It has an average elevation of 303 metres (994 feet).

As of the 2011 Census of India,[4] Babina had a population of 35,165. Males constitute 62% of the population and females 38%. Babina has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 69% of the males and 31% of females literate. 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.