Mathura is associated with the most revered of Hindu gods - Lord Krishna and dates back to 1500 B.C. The surrounding popularly known as Brij Bhoomi is where Lord Krishna is supposed to have grown up. It is associatedwith the life of Lord Krishna whose birth, childhood and adulthood in and around the city are richly woven into the poetry, music and dance that are a part of Indian tradition and culture today.

Mathura was a renowned learning and cultural centre and received patronage from emperor Ashoka in the spheres of sculpture and architecture. Emperor Kanishka made the city the capital of his eastern provinces.

The cities is also mentioned in the works of the chinese traveller Fa Hien who visited India during 405 - 411 A.D,and by Hiuen Tsang who came in 634 AD.