On 1 February 2016, the Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, signed government resolutions on renaming several cities, districts, and geographical locations across the country. As a result, Ghonchi District was officially renamed Devashtich District. The decision was approved by the National Council of the Supreme Assembly of the Republic of Tajikistan on 3 February 2016 (Resolution No. 204).
Devashtich District has a history of more than 2,500 years. It was established on 5 December 1929, and its present administrative boundaries were formed through several territorial reforms during the 20th century.
The district is located in the north-western part of the Republic of Tajikistan, in the south-west of Sughd Region. It borders the Spitamen, Kuhistoni Mastchoh, Ayni and Shahristan districts, the city of Istaravshan, and the Leilek District of Batken Region, Kyrgyzstan.
The total area of the district is 1,588.7 km², representing 6.3% of the territory of Sughd Region. The distance from the district centre to Dushanbe is 280 km, and to Khujand is 70 km.
The district consists of 1 township jamoat, 7 rural jamoats, and 55 settlements.