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Meerut

2023-08-18T13:30:57Z

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{{Short description|Metropolis In Uttar Pradesh, India}}
{{About|the city in Uttar Pradesh, India|its administrative district|Meerut district}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Meerut
| other_name =
| name of king(raja) =
| settlement_type = [[Metropolis]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Six cities to get metropolitan status|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Six-cities-to-get-metropolitan-status/articleshow/2210886.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=8 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223071608/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Six-cities-to-get-metropolitan-status/articleshow/2210886.cms|archive-date=23 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
| image_skyline = Meerut Montage 01.jpg
| image_caption = Clockwise from Top: Martyr Memorial, Meerut Clock Tower, [[Mustafa Castle]], Basilica of Our Lady of Graces
| image_map =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Uttar Pradesh#India
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|28.98|77.71|display=inline, title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of states and union territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Divisions of Uttar Pradesh|Division]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[List of districts of Uttar Pradesh|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon image|..Uttar Pradesh Flag(INDIA).png}} [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Meerut Division|Meerut]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Meerut district|Meerut]]
| established_title = 
| established_date = 12 May 1867
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body = [[Meerut Municipal Corporation]]
| leader_title = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name = [[Harikant Ahluwalia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://english.jagran.com/india/meerut-nagar-nigam-up-nikay-election-result-2023-live-latest-news-updates-uttar-pradesh-nagar-nikay-chunav-10077727|title=BJP's Harikant Ahluwalia Wins Mayoral Polls in Meerut|work=Jagran English|accessdate=22 May 2023}}</ref>
| leader_party = [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]
| leader_title2 = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Lok Sabha MP]]
| leader_name2 = [[Rajendra Agrawal]], ([[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]])
| leader_title3 = [[Divisional Commissioner]]
| leader_name3 = Selva Kumari J, [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]]
| leader_name4 = Praveen Kumar, [[Indian Police Service|IPS]]
| leader_title4 = [[Inspector-general of police|IG Range]]
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes = <ref name='Meerut City'>{{cite web|title=Meerut City|url=http://www.meerutnagarnigam.com/main/meerut-city.aspx}}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 450
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 247
| population_total = 1571434
| population_as_of = 2016
| population_footnotes = <ref name='Meerut City'/><ref name="cen11city"/>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_metro = 1871434
| population_metro_footnotes = <ref name='Meerut City'/><ref name="cen11ua"/>
| population_rank =
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = [[Language]]
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi]]<ref name="langoff">{{cite web|title=52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India |url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|website=nclm.nic.in|publisher=[[Ministry of Minority Affairs]]|access-date=1 February 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525141614/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|archive-date=25 May 2017}}</ref>
| demographics1_title2 = Additional official
| demographics1_info2 = [[Urdu]]<ref name="langoff"/>
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 250 0xx
| area_code = 91- 121- XXXX XXX
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| registration_plate = UP-15
| website = {{URL|meerut.nic.in}}
| footnotes = <ref>{{Cite journal|date=April 2017|title=Meerut Municipal Corporation e-Newsletter April 2017|url=http://meerutnagarnigam.in/forms/E-%20news%20letter%20april%202017.pdf|journal=Meerut Municipal Corporation E-Newsletter|pages=2|access-date=3 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116034449/http://meerutnagarnigam.in/forms/E-%20news%20letter%20april%202017.pdf|archive-date=16 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
| unemployment_rate =
| official_name =
}}

'''Meerut''' ({{audio|Meerut-new.ogg|pronunciation}}, [[International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration|IAST]]: ''Meraṭh'') is a city in [[Meerut district]] of the [[Western Uttar Pradesh|western part]] of the Indian state of [[Uttar Pradesh]]. The city lies {{convert|80|km|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of the national capital [[New Delhi]], within the [[National Capital Region (India)|National Capital Region]] and {{convert|480|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of the state capital [[Lucknow]].<ref name="CDPcityprofile"/>

{{As of|2011}}, Meerut is the 33rd most populous urban agglomeration and the 26th most populous city in India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ncrup.up.nic.in/|title=Welcome to the National Capital Region(U.P)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511011402/http://ncrup.up.nic.in/|archive-date=11 May 2012|access-date=3 August 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.delhilive.com/ncr|title=NCR - DelhiLive|access-date=3 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002053117/http://www.delhilive.com/ncr|archive-date=2 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> It ranked 292nd in 2006 and is projected to rank 242nd in 2020 in the list of largest cities and urban areas in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/urban_az3mr.html|title=A to Z of world's largest cities and urban areas – Largest cities and urban areas M to R|access-date=4 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608085918/http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/urban_az3mr.html|archive-date=8 June 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> The municipal area (as of 2016) is {{convert|450|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name='Meerut City'/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urbanindia.nic.in/theministry/subordinateoff/tcpo/AREA_POP/CHAPTER-2.PDF|title=Area, Population and Density of Cities and Towns of India – 2001, CHAPTER II - Area and Density – All Cities and Towns|access-date=29 September 2013|publisher=Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002151336/http://www.urbanindia.nic.in/theministry/subordinateoff/tcpo/AREA_POP/CHAPTER-2.PDF|archive-date=2 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="cbh"/> The city is one of the largest producers of sports goods, and the largest producer of musical instruments in India. The city is also an education hub in western Uttar Pradesh, and is also known as the "Sports City Of India". The city is famous for being the starting point of the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|1857 rebellion]] against [[Company rule in India]].

==Origin of the name==
The city may have derived its name from 'Mayarashtra' ([[Sanskrit]]: मयराष्ट्र), the capital of the kingdom of [[Mayasura]], Mandodari's father and [[Ravana]]'s father-in-law. This name may have mutated to Mairashtra, Mai-dant-ka-khera, Mairaath and eventually Meerut.<ref name="Homepage">[http://meerut.nic.in/ Homepage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915130519/http://meerut.nic.in/ |date=15 September 2008 }} ''Meerut'' Official website.</ref><ref name=dg>{{Cite book|title=Uttar Pradesh State Gazetteer: Social services, culture, places of interest|series=Uttar Pradesh State Gazetteer|volume=5|author=Uma Varma, Uttar Pradesh (India). Department of District Gazetteers|publisher=[[Government of Uttar Pradesh]], Department of District Gazetteers|page=359}}</ref>

According to another version, Maya(sura), being a distinguished architect, received from King [[Yudhishthira]] the land on which the city of Meerut now stands and he called this place Maharashtra, a name which in the course of time became shortened to Meerut. Tradition also has it that the city formed a part of the dominions of Mahipala, the king of [[Indraprastha]], and the word Meerut is associated with his name.<ref name="pundir">{{cite book|title=Banking, Bureaucracy, and Social Networks: Scheduled Castes in the Process of Development|author=Jagdish Kumar Pundir|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=svyVzV0n8DQC|publisher=Sarup & Sons|year=1998|isbn=9788176250245|pages=49–50}}</ref>

The meaning of मय is alcohol. It is a production centre of alcohol with factories (sugar Mills) producing alcohol, hence the name मय is added from a alcohol production city. ([https://www.mawanasugars.com/distillary.php Mawana Sugar Distillary]). Maykhana is also a word which means Bar in Hindi. All alcohol was sent to capital Delhi and exported all over India. In India, cities are named on their popular produce. Hence Meerut as a production house of alcohol (मय) is called Meerut.

==History==
===Ancient era===
In [[Ramayana]], It was known as 'Maydant Ka Kheda', the capital of May Danav. It was hometown of [[Mandodari]], wife of Ravana.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/news/UP-MEER-mandodari-meet-ravan-in-baleshwar-nath-temple-in-meerut-5141034-PHO.html|title=इस मंदिर में मंदोदरी करती थीं शिव पूजा, यहीं पर रावण से हुई थी मुलाकात|date=21 October 2015|website=Dainik Bhaskar|language=hi|access-date=3 January 2020}}</ref>

After the archaeological excavations at Vidura-ka-tila, a collection of several mounds named after [[Vidura]], in 1950–52, a site {{convert|23|mi|km|abbr=in|order=flip}} north-east of Meerut, it was concluded to be remains of the ancient city of [[Hastinapur]], the capital of [[Kauravas]] and [[Pandavas]] of ''[[Mahabharata]]'', which was washed away by [[Ganges]] floods.<ref name="off">{{cite web |title=Tourist places – Meerut |url=http://meerut.nic.in/tourist.htm |archive-date=19 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619074812/http://meerut.nic.in/tourist.htm}}</ref><ref name="imp254" /><ref name="mdat" />

[[File:6thPillarOfAshoka.JPG|right|thumb|Fragment of the 6th [[Pillars of Ashoka|Ashoka Pillar]] in sandstone, with inscription of [[Edicts of Ashoka]], in [[Brahmi script|Brahmi]], originally from Meerut, now on display in the [[British Museum]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/asia/p/pillar_of_emperor_ashoka.aspx |title=British Museum Highlights |access-date=29 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105093409/http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/asia/p/pillar_of_emperor_ashoka.aspx |archive-date=5 November 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>]]

Meerut also contained a Harappan settlement known as [[Alamgirpur]]. It was also the easternmost settlement of the [[Indus Valley civilisation]]. Meerut had been a centre of [[Buddhism]] in the period of [[Mauryan]] Emperor [[Ashoka]] (r. 273 BC to 232 BC.), and remains of [[Buddhist]] structures were found near the Jama Masjid in the present day city.<ref name=brit/> The [[Pillars of Ashoka|Ashoka Pillar]], at [[Delhi ridge]], next to the ‘Bara [[Raja Hindu Rao|Hindu Rao]] Hospital’, near [[Delhi University]], was carried to [[Delhi]] from Meerut, by [[Firuz Shah Tughluq]] (r. 1351–1388);<ref name="imp254">{{Harvnb|The Imperial Gazetteer|1909|loc=[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V17_260.gif p. 254]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india9.com/i9show/-Delhi/New-Delhi/Ashoka-Pillar-18646.htm|title=Ashoka Pillar|access-date=27 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034301/http://www.india9.com/i9show/-Delhi/New-Delhi/Ashoka-Pillar-18646.htm|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Pratiyogita Darpan: General Studies Indian History|publisher=Upkar Prakashan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TTcCKkY7NLMC|access-date=8 February 2012|page=71}}</ref> it was later damaged in a 1713 explosion, and restored in 1867.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaprofile.com/tourist-attractions/delhi/ashokan-pillar/index.html|title=Ashokan Pillar|access-date=27 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516005221/http://www.indiaprofile.com/tourist-attractions/delhi/ashokan-pillar/index.html|archive-date=16 May 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Muslim conquests===
In the eleventh century AD, the region to the south-west of the city was ruled by Har Dat, the ''Dor Raja'' of [[Bulandshahr]] who built a fort, which was long known for its strength and finds mention in ''[[Ain-i-Akbari]]''.<ref name="imp264">{{Harvnb|The Imperial Gazetteer|1909|loc=[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V17_270.gif p. 264]}}</ref> He was later defeated by [[Mahmud of Ghazni]] in 1018, surrendering along with his forces to Mahmud.<ref>{{cite book|title=Indian Islam: a religious history of Islam in India|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.280326|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1930|author=Murray Thurston Titus|page=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.280326/page/n38 21]}}</ref> The prominent local landmark known as the Jama Masjid, dates from this period and is said to have been built by Mahmud's vizir. Shortly after its capture the city was regained by the local Hindu Raja and part of his fortifications, built for the city's defence, survived until recent times.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/kinshipurbanizat0000vatu|url-access=registration|title=Kinship and Urbanization: White Collar Migrants in North India|publisher=University of California Preas|year=1972|author=Sylvia Vatuk|page=[https://archive.org/details/kinshipurbanizat0000vatu/page/n22 1]|access-date=23 June 2017|isbn=9780520020641}}</ref> [[Muhammad of Ghor]]'s [[mamluk]] general [[Qutb-ud-din Aybak]] who went on to establish the [[Delhi Sultanate]] in 1206, attacked and captured Meerut in 1193.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GpNECgAAQBAJ&pg=PT56|title=Military Manpower, Armies and Warfare in South Asia|publisher=Routledge|pages=56|isbn=9781317321279|date=6 October 2015}}</ref>

[[Timur]] in 1399 attacked and sacked Meerut. It was held by Ilyas Afghan and his son Maula Muhammad Thaneswari who was assisted by non-Muslims led by Safi. Timur tried to negotiate a surrender, to which the inhabitants of the fort replied by stating that [[Tarmashirin]] had tried to capture it in the past but failed. Incensed, he set forth with 10,000 cavalry. The forces scaled the walls and Safi was killed in the battle. The inhabitants were killed and their wives and children enslaved. The fortifications and houses were razed to the ground with prisoners ordered to be flayed alive.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CJ4IAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA321|title=Statistical, descriptive and historical account of the North-western Provinces of India, ed. by E.T. Atkinson [and others]|publisher=Oxford University|pages=321|year=1876}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9_48AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA252|title=The Cambridge Shorter History of India|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2016|isbn=9781317208716|pages=252}}</ref>

The city then came under the rule of the [[Mughal Empire]] and saw a period of relative tranquility.<ref name="imp255"/> During the rule of [[Mughal Emperor]], [[Akbar the Great]] (r. 1556–1605), there was a mint for copper coins here.<ref name=brit>[http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/other/019xzz000001115u00006000.html The Hindu temples on the plains near Meerut] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027175810/http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/other/019xzz000001115u00006000.html |date=27 October 2011 }} ''[[British Library]]''.</ref> Also occurring during the reign of Akbar, Meerut was listed in the [[Ain-i-Akbari]] as a [[pargana]] under Delhi [[sarkar (country subdivision)|sarkar]], producing a revenue of 4,391,996 [[dam (Indian coin)|dam]]s for the imperial treasury and supplying a force of 300 infantry and 100 cavalry.<ref name="Ain-i-Akbari">{{cite book |last1=Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak |last2=Jarrett |first2=Henry Sullivan (translator) |title=The Ain-i-Akbari |date=1891 |publisher=Asiatic Society of Bengal |location=Calcutta |page=288 |url=https://archive.org/details/ainiakbarivolum00mubgoog |access-date=21 January 2021}}</ref>[[File:Bada Darwaza of Kot Fort.jpg|thumb|Main entrance to Kot Fort, Abdullapur built in the early 16th century]]
Major part of the Meerut was in the control of [[Sayyid]] Jagirdars of [[Abdullapur Meerut]] from 16th to late 18th century, Sayyed Mir Abdulla Naqvi Al Bukhari built Kot Fort in Abdullapur in 16th century, this place was his main residence.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Codingest|title=Studio Dharma - by Nikhil Jain|url=https://studiodharma.in/|access-date=17 January 2021|website=STUDIO DHARMA|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Abdullapur Pin Code, Abdullapur, Meerut Map, Latitude and Longitude, Uttar Pradesh|url=https://indiamapia.com/Meerut/Abdullapur.html|access-date=15 January 2021|website=indiamapia.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=दास्तान ए कर्बला सुन अश्कबार हुई आंखें|url=https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/meerut-city-14852638.html|access-date=16 January 2021|website=Dainik Jagran|language=hi}}</ref> The descendants of Syed Sadarudin Shah Kabir Naqvi Al Kannauji Bukhari still present in this town, Sadarudin was a chief advisor of [[Sikandar Lodi]] and the father of great saint [[Shah Jewna]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Indian Journal Of Archaeology|url=http://ijarch.org/CurrentIssue.aspx|access-date=15 January 2021|website=ijarch.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Pir-e-Kamil Hazrat Pir Shah Jewna Al-Naqvi Al-Bokhari|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/469327-pir-e-kamil-hazrat-pir-shah-jewna-al-naqvi-al-bokhari|access-date=15 January 2021|website=www.thenews.com.pk|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=9 May 2016|title=Pir Shah Jewna: The soul still exudes spirituality|url=https://nation.com.pk/10-May-2016/pir-shah-jewna-the-soul-still-exudes-spirituality|access-date=15 January 2021|website=The Nation|language=en}}</ref> Famous Pakistani writer Syed Qudrat Naqvi Al Bukhari was born in Meerut.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Parekh|first=Rauf|date=12 December 2017|title=Syed Qudrat Naqvi and his research on Ghalib|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1376001|access-date=15 January 2021|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Urdu Books of Syed Qudrat Naqvi|url=https://www.rekhta.org/authors/syed-qudrat-naqvi/ebooks|access-date=28 January 2021|website=Rekhta}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=ZAIDI|first=ALI JAWAD|date=1965|title=URDU|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23329150|journal=Indian Literature|volume=8|issue=2|pages=133–143|jstor=23329150|issn=0019-5804}}</ref>

Nawab Mansab Ali Khan was one of the most influential personality of this city, he built famous Karbala and Masjid known as Mansabiya in 1882.<ref name="jagran.com">{{Cite web|title=शिया जामा मस्जिद के सामने मिलती है गंगा-जमुनी विरासत की झलक|url=https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/meerut-city-shia-jama-masjid-meets-in-front-of-the-gangajamuna-legacy-19206494.html|access-date=2021-06-13|website=Dainik Jagran|language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=MANSABIA ARABIC COLLEGE RAILWAY ROAD MRT - Ward 55, District Meerut (Uttar Pradesh)|url=https://schools.org.in/meerut/09071305508/mansabia-arabic-college-railway-road-mrt.html|access-date=2021-06-13|website=schools.org.in|language=en}}</ref>

The city saw Sikh and Maratha invasions in the 18th century, with interruptions by Jats and Rohillas. Walter Reinhardt, an English soldier, established himself at [[Sardhana]] and some parts of the district came under his rule. Upon his death, they came into the hands of [[Begum Samru]]. During this time, the southern part of the district had remained under [[Marathas]] rule.<ref name=imp>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V17_262.gif Meerut District – History] ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', 1909, v. 17, p. 256-257, 261.</ref>

===Colonial era===
In 1803, with the fall of Delhi, Daulat Rao Scindia of the Marathas ceded the territory to the British [[East India Company]] (EIC). The cantonment of Meerut was set up in 1806 with particular key interests including its closeness to Delhi and its area inside the rich [[Ganges]] – Yamuna doab. With time Meerut advanced into one of the biggest and most vital military stations of India.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} The city was made headquarters of the [[Meerut district|eponymous district]] in 1818.<ref name="imp255">{{Harvnb|The Imperial Gazetteer|1909|loc=[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V17_261.gif p. 255]}}</ref><ref name="kinship">{{cite book|title=Kinship and Urbanization: White Collar Migrants in North India|author=Sylvia Vatuk|publisher=University of California Press|year=1972|url=https://archive.org/details/kinshipurbanizat0000vatu|url-access=registration|isbn=9780520020641|pages=[https://archive.org/details/kinshipurbanizat0000vatu/page/2 2]–3|access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref><ref name="imp256">{{Harvnb|The Imperial Gazetteer|1909|loc=[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V17_262.gif p. 256]}}</ref>

[[File:1857 mutineers mosque meerut2.jpg|left|thumb|1857 Mutineers' Mosque]]

Meerut is famously associated with the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|1857 rebellion]] against [[Company rule in India]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.english.emory.edu/Bahri/Mutiny.html|title=Postcolonial Studies - Since 1996, Deepika Bahri has created and maintained content for Postcolonial Studies @ Emory with her students. In 2011, she won a Mellon grant from Emory's Digital Scholarship Commons (DiSC) to redesign the site in collaboration with the DiSC staff.|access-date=27 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114213449/http://www.english.emory.edu/Bahri/Mutiny.html|archive-date=14 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The famous slogan "''Dilli Chalo''" ("Let's march to Delhi!") was first spoken in the city, and the Meerut [[cantonment]] was the place where the rebellion started.{{citation needed|date=December 2014}}

The revolt, which catapulted Meerut into international prominence, started in March 1857 at Barrackpore, Bengal. Indian sepoy [[Mangal Pandey]] shot at two of his commanding officers, missed, made an unsuccessful attempt to commit [[suicide]] and was executed. By April, the fire of Pandey's Uprising scorched north India and reached Meerut, the second-largest East India Company garrison. Here, Europeans and native sepoys were evenly balanced, with a little more than 2,000 on each side. The European cantonment was separated from the Indian one. Close by were Sadar Bazar and Lal Kurti Bazar, the latter named after the red uniforms worn by the [[Presidency armies]]. On 24 April 1857, Meerut's commander, Colonel Carmichael Smyth, paraded 90 Indian sepoys of the Bengal Cavalry, most of whom had come from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. He ordered them to fire the new Enfield cartridges- 85 refused. The cartridges were covered with paper that had to be torn off; Muslim soldiers believed the paper was greased with pig fat and Hindus, with cow fat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/folk-theorem/hashimpura-and-the-echoes-of-1857-meerut-is-common-to-both/|title=Hashimpura and the echoes of 1857: Meerut is common to both|work=[[The Times of India]] Blogs|access-date=27 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726014434/http://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/folk-theorem/hashimpura-and-the-echoes-of-1857-meerut-is-common-to-both/|archive-date=26 July 2015|url-status=live|date=5 April 2015}}</ref>

All 85 soldiers were stripped of their uniforms, [[court-martial]]ed; they were all sentenced to a decade in prison. The prisoners, who were [[Upper class|upper-class]] members of a [[Cavalry|cavalry regiment]], were shocked at the harsh sentences handed down to them. On 10 May 1857, [[Dhan Singh Gurjar|Kotwal Dhan Singh Gurjar]] opened the gates of the prison. These soldiers, along with the other imprisoned soldiers, escaped prison and declared themselves free, mutinied, attacked and killed several [[Company rule in India|Company officials]] in the city in order to bring it under their control. This marked the beginning of a widespread revolt across northern India as these soldiers marched towards Delhi. 10 May is still celebrated as a local holiday in Meerut.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.meerutdistrict.com/history.htm|title=History of Meerut district|publisher=www.meerutdistrict.com/|access-date=27 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214225000/http://meerutdistrict.com/history.htm|archive-date=14 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:United Provinces 1903.gif|right|thumb|The [[United Provinces of British India|United Provinces]] in 1903]]

Meerut was also the venue of the [[Meerut Conspiracy Case]] in March 1929, in which several [[trade union]]ists, including three [[English people|Englishmen]], were arrested by the colonial authorities for organising a railway [[strike action]]. The case quickly became the subject of attention in England, inspiring a 1932 play titled ''Meerut Prisoners'' by left-wing [[Manchester]] street theatre group the ''Red Megaphones'', which highlighted the detrimental effects of [[capitalism]] and [[industrialisation]].<ref>[http://www.wcml.org.uk/contents/activists/ewan-maccoll/theatre/the-red-megaphones/ ''Meerut'' 1932 play, by Manchester street theatre group the Red Megaphones] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613154110/http://www.wcml.org.uk/contents/activists/ewan-maccoll/theatre/the-red-megaphones/ |date=13 June 2011 }} ''[[Working Class Movement Library]]''.</ref> Electricity was first introduced to Meerut in 1931.<ref name="kinship"/> In the 1940s, during the height of the [[Indian independence movement]], cinema-goers in Meerut had an unofficial policy of refusing to stand up when ''[[God Save the Queen]]'' played before the film was shown.{{citation needed|date=August 2011}} The last session of the [[Indian National Congress]] (INC) prior to the [[Indian Independence Act 1947|independence of India]] in 1947 was held at Victoria Park in Meerut on 26 November 1946. It was in this session that the Constitution-making committee was constituted.<ref name="victoria's secret">{{cite news | title = Victoria's secret | author = Dr. KD Sharma | newspaper = Meerut Plus, [[Times of India]] | date = 15 August 2013}}</ref>

===Post-independence era===
The city and district also suffered from communal ([[Hindu]]-[[Sikh]]) riots in 1984<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mag/2004/07/18/stories/2004071800180200.htm | title=The voice of a monologue | newspaper=The Hindu | date=18 July 2004 | access-date=17 July 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825122423/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mag/2004/07/18/stories/2004071800180200.htm | archive-date=25 August 2009 | url-status=usurped | df=dmy-all }}</ref> and (Hindu-Muslim) riots in 1982<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/05/30/stories/2002053000531000.htm | title=Looking for justice | newspaper=The Hindu | date=30 May 2002 | access-date=17 July 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825124110/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/05/30/stories/2002053000531000.htm | archive-date=25 August 2009 | url-status=usurped | df=dmy-all }}</ref> and in 1987, during which the [[Hashimpura massacre]] took place, in May 1987, when personnel of the [[Provincial Armed Constabulary]] (PAC) shot dead 42 Muslims, the trial of the case is still pending.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/old/ie/daily/19980227/05850914.html |title=The art of not forgetting |newspaper=[[Indian Express]] |date=27 February 1998 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825193251/http://www.indianexpress.com/old/ie/daily/19980227/05850914.html |archive-date=25 August 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Justice out of sight |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2210/stories/20050520001504300.htm |work=[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]] |volume=22 |issue=10 |date=20 May 2005 |access-date=26 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080810064151/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2210/stories/20050520001504300.htm |archive-date=10 August 2008 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> In 2006, a [[2006 Meerut fire|fire]] at a consumer electronics "Brand India" fair in Victoria Park Stadium killed at least 100 people, with authorities already confirming 45 fatalities, although a specific figure on a toll was difficult to put and was predicted to be much higher.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iklimnet.com/hotelfires/india_consumer_fair_fire.html|title=Indian Electronics Show Kills More than 100|access-date=27 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924033535/http://www.iklimnet.com/hotelfires/india_consumer_fair_fire.html|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Climate==
{{Main|Climate of Uttar Pradesh}}
Meerut has a [[monsoon]] influenced [[humid subtropical]] climate characterised by hot summers and cooler winters. Summers last from early April to late June during and are extremely hot, with temperatures reaching {{convert|49|C|F}}.<ref name=ch3>{{cite web|title=Chapter 3 – Findings: Metro Cities of India|url=http://www.cpcb.nic.in/EnvironmetalPlanning/ground/Chapter3.pdf|publisher=Central Pollution Control Board|access-date=1 April 2011|pages=63|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210838/http://www.cpcb.nic.in/EnvironmetalPlanning/ground/Chapter3.pdf|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The monsoon arrives in late June and continues till the middle of September. Temperatures drop slightly, with plenty of cloud cover but with higher humidity. Temperatures rise again in October and the city then has a mild, dry winter season from November to the middle of March<ref name=ch3/> The lowest temperature ever recorded is {{convert|-0.4|C|F}}, recorded on Sunday, 6 January 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Frozen Meerut|url=http://inextlive.jagran.com/meerut-in-house-arrest-201301070005|language=hi|publisher=iNext|date=7 January 2013|access-date=29 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002122400/http://inextlive.jagran.com/meerut-in-house-arrest-201301070005|archive-date=2 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Rainfall is about {{convert|845|mm|in|0}} per annum, which is suitable for growing crops. Most of the rainfall is received during the [[monsoon]]. Humidity varies from 30 to 100%.<ref name=ch3/> The city receives no snow.

{{clear}}
{{Weather box 
| collapsed =
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| location = Meerut (1971–2000)
| temperature colour =
|Jan record high C = 29.3
|Feb record high C = 32.2
|Mar record high C = 39.5
|Apr record high C = 43.5
|May record high C = 45.8
|Jun record high C = 46.1
|Jul record high C = 46.0
|Aug record high C = 40.0
|Sep record high C = 39.0
|Oct record high C = 38.0
|Nov record high C = 34.5
|Dec record high C = 30.0
|year record high C = 46.1
|Jan high C = 21.9
|Feb high C = 23.1
|Mar high C = 28.7
|Apr high C = 36.3
|May high C = 39.1
|Jun high C = 37.6
|Jul high C = 33.6
|Aug high C = 32.6
|Sep high C = 33.7
|Oct high C = 32.8
|Nov high C = 28.6
|Dec high C = 23.5
|year high C = 31.1
|Jan low C = 7.2
|Feb low C = 9.1
|Mar low C = 13.8
|Apr low C = 19.9
|May low C = 24.3
|Jun low C = 26.0
|Jul low C = 25.9
|Aug low C = 25.5
|Sep low C = 23.6
|Oct low C = 18.2
|Nov low C = 12.4
|Dec low C = 8.0
|year low C = 17.7
|Jan record low C = -0.4
|Feb record low C = 0.1
|Mar record low C = 5.4
|Apr record low C = 8.3
|May record low C = 15.4
|Jun record low C = 17.7
|Jul record low C = 16.5
|Aug record low C = 19.0
|Sep record low C = 15.7
|Oct record low C = 7.2
|Nov record low C = 1.8
|Dec record low C = 0.2
|year record low C = -0.4
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 19.7
|Feb precipitation mm = 24.9
|Mar precipitation mm = 24.4
|Apr precipitation mm = 12.8
|May precipitation mm = 19.1
|Jun precipitation mm = 71.2
|Jul precipitation mm = 269.0
|Aug precipitation mm = 264.7
|Sep precipitation mm = 95.4
|Oct precipitation mm = 25.9
|Nov precipitation mm = 4.3
|Dec precipitation mm = 13.4
|year precipitation mm = 845.0
|Jan rain days = 1.5
|Feb rain days = 1.7
|Mar rain days = 1.7
|Apr rain days = 0.9
|May rain days = 1.6
|Jun rain days = 3.9
|Jul rain days = 10.2
|Aug rain days = 9.4
|Sep rain days = 4.2
|Oct rain days = 1.6
|Nov rain days = 0.4
|Dec rain days = 0.9
|year rain days = 38.0
| Jan humidity = 88
| Feb humidity = 83
| Mar humidity = 75
| Apr humidity = 54
| May humidity = 58
| Jun humidity = 68
| Jul humidity = 81
| Aug humidity = 84
| Sep humidity = 83
| Oct humidity = 78
| Nov humidity = 79
| Dec humidity = 86
| year humidity = 76
|source 1 = India Meteorological Department (record high and low up to 2012)<ref>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://cdsp.imdpune.gov.in/extremes_1991_2020/?stn=43057
| title = Station: Meerut Climatological Table 1981–2010
| work = Climatological Normals 1981–2010
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = January 2015
| pages = 509–510
| access-date = 1 March 2020}}</ref><ref name= IMD >{{cite web
| url = http://www.imd.gov.in/section/climate/extreme/meerut2.htm
| title = Meerut Climatological Table Period: 1971–2000
| publisher = [[India Meteorological Department]]
| access-date = 15 April 2015
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140214130716/http://www.imd.gov.in/section/climate/extreme/meerut2.htm
| archive-date = 14 February 2014
| url-status = dead
| df = dmy-all
}}</ref><ref name=IMD2>{{cite web
|url=http://www.imdpune.gov.in/Temp_Extremes/histext2010.pdf
|title=Ever recorded Maximum and minimum temperatures up to 2010
|publisher=India Meteorological Department
|access-date=15 April 2015 |url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316064314/http://www.imdpune.gov.in/Temp_Extremes/histext2010.pdf
|archive-date=16 March 2014

}}</ref><ref name=IMDextremes>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = December 2016
| page = M46
| access-date = 26 December 2020}}</ref>
|date=April 2015}}

==Geography==
{{For|description of the geography of the district|Meerut district#Geography}}
Meerut is the largest city in [[National Capital Region (India)|NCR]] after Delhi also known as sports city of India.{{Citation needed|date=June 2017}} Meerut lies between the plains of the [[Ganges]] and those of the [[Yamuna]]. In area Meerut district covers 2,522 km2 (974 sq mi), which is larger than Delhi (Delhi covers an area of 1,484 km2 [573 sq mi]). However, Meerut's population is three times less than that of Delhi (Current population of Meerut is 3,443,689).

== Administration ==

=== General Administration ===
[[Meerut division]] which consists of six districts, and is headed by the [[Divisional Commissioner]] of Meerut, who is an [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS officer]] of high seniority, the [[Divisional Commissioner|Commissioner]] is the head of local government institutions (including Municipal Corporations) in the division, is in charge of infrastructural development in his division.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|url=http://up.gov.in/upconstitution.aspx|title=CONSTITUTIONAL SETUP|website=[[Government of Uttar Pradesh]]|access-date=30 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831000649/http://up.gov.in/upconstitution.aspx|archive-date=31 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":422">{{Cite book|title=Indian Administration|last=Maheshwari|first=S.R.|publisher=Orient Blackswan Private Ltd.|year=2000|isbn=9788125019886|location=New Delhi|pages=563–572|edition=6th}}</ref><ref name=":52">{{Cite book|title=Revenue administration in India: A case study of Bihar|last=Singh|first=G.P.|publisher=Mittal Publications|year=1993|isbn=978-8170993810|location=[[Delhi]]|pages=26–129}}</ref><ref name=":62">{{Cite book|title=Governance in India|last=Laxmikanth|first=M.|publisher=McGraw Hill Education|year=2014|isbn=978-9339204785|location=[[Noida]]|pages=5.1–5.2|edition=2nd}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/india-2/role-and-functions-of-divisional-commissioner/46672/|title=Role and Functions of Divisional Commissioner|date=6 January 2015|website=Your Article Library|access-date=20 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816065354/http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/india-2/role-and-functions-of-divisional-commissioner/46672/|archive-date=16 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[District collector|District Magistrate]] of Meerut reports to the [[Divisional Commissioner]]. The current Commissioner is Surendra Singh.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://meerutdivision.nic.in/index_en.html|title=Office of the Divisional Commissioner, Meerut Division|website=Office of the [[Divisional Commissioner]], Meerut|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807232157/http://meerutdivision.nic.in/index_en.html|archive-date=7 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://meerut.nic.in/geninfo/commr.htm|title=Commissioners of Meerut Division|website=Meerut District|access-date=15 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811215319/http://meerut.nic.in/geninfo/commr.htm|archive-date=11 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Meerut district administration is headed by the [[District Collector|District Magistrate]] of Meerut, who is an [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS officer]]. The [[District Collector|DM]] is in charge of property records and revenue collection for the central government and oversees the [[Elections in India|elections]] held in the city.<ref name=":22" /><ref name=":42">{{Cite book|title=Indian Administration|last=Maheshwari|first=S.R.|publisher=Orient Blackswan Private Ltd.|year=2000|isbn=9788125019886|location=New Delhi|pages=573–597|edition=6th}}</ref><ref name=":63">{{Cite book|title=Governance in India|last=Laxmikanth|first=M.|publisher=McGraw Hill Education|year=2014|isbn=978-9339204785|location=[[Noida]]|pages=6.1–6.6|edition=2nd}}</ref><ref name=":53">{{Cite book|title=Revenue administration in India: A case study of Bihar|last=Singh|first=G.P.|publisher=Mittal Publications|year=1993|isbn=978-8170993810|location=[[Delhi]]|pages=50–124}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.importantindia.com/1724/powers-of-district-magistrate-in-india/|title=Powers Of District Magistrate in India|website=Important India|access-date=20 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816062201/http://www.importantindia.com/1724/powers-of-district-magistrate-in-india/|archive-date=16 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The district is subdivided into three [[tehsil]]s, namely Meerut, Mawana and Sardhana, each headed by a [[Sub-Divisional Magistrate]]. The tehsils are further divided into 12 blocks.<ref name="msme">{{cite web|url=http://dcmsme.gov.in/dips/Meerut.pdf|title=Brief Industrial Profile of District Meerut|author=MSME-Development Institute, Agra|publisher=Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Govt. of India|access-date=12 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125001151/http://www.dcmsme.gov.in/dips/Meerut.pdf|archive-date=25 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The current District Magistrate of Meerut is Depak Meena.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://meerut.nic.in/geninfo/dm.htm|title=District Magistrates of Meerut|website=Meerut District|access-date=16 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811214824/http://meerut.nic.in/geninfo/dm.htm|archive-date=11 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Police Administration ===
Meerut district comes under Meerut police zone and Meerut police range of [[Uttar Pradesh Police]]. Meerut zone is headed by an [[Indian Police Service|IPS officer]] in the rank of [[Additional director general of police|Additional Director General of Police]] (ADG), whereas Meerut range is headed by an [[Indian Police Service|IPS officer]] in the rank of [[Inspector-general of police|Inspector General of Police]] (IG). The Current ADG, Meerut Zone is Rajeev Sabharwal,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uppolice.gov.in/frmOfficials.aspx?zonemrt&cd=OAAzADIA|title=Officers posted at Meerut Zone|website=[[Uttar Pradesh Police]]|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813193628/https://uppolice.gov.in/frmOfficials.aspx?zonemrt&cd=OAAzADIA|archive-date=13 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> whereas the current IG, Meerut Range is Praveen Kumar.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uppolice.gov.in/frmOfficials.aspx?rangemrt&cd=OAA3ADEA|title=Officers posted at Meerut Range|website=[[Uttar Pradesh Police]]|access-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813193546/https://uppolice.gov.in/frmOfficials.aspx?rangemrt&cd=OAA3ADEA|archive-date=13 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

District Police of Meerut is headed by the [[Superintendent of police (India)|Senior Superintendent of Police]] (SSP) who is an [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] officer. He is assisted by four [[Superintendent of police (India)|Superintendents of Police]] (SP)/[[Additional superintendent of police|Additional Superintendent of Police]] (Addl. SP) (City, Rural Area, Traffic and Crime). The Meerut district is divided into numerous police circles, each headed by a Circle Officer in the rank of [[Deputy superintendent of police|Deputy Superintendent of Police]]. SP (Traffic) and SP (Crime) are assisted by one Circle Officer in the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police each.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://uppolice.gov.in/frmOfficials.aspx?meerut&cd=OQAzADAA|title=Officers posted at Meerut|website=[[Uttar Pradesh Police]]|access-date=16 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816113542/https://uppolice.gov.in/frmOfficials.aspx?meerut&cd=OQAzADAA|archive-date=16 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The current SSP is Rohit Singh Sajwan.<ref name=":4" />

=== Infrastructure and Civic Administration ===
The development of infrastructure in the city is overseen by the Meerut Development Authority (MDA), which comes under the Housing Department of [[Government of Uttar Pradesh|Uttar Pradesh government]]. The [[Divisional Commissioner]] of Meerut acts as the ''ex-officio'' Chairman of MDA, whereas a vice-chairman, a government-appointed [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS officer]], looks after the daily matters of the authority. The current vice-chairman of Meerut Development Authority is Sita Ram Yadav.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mdameerut.in/telephone-directory/|title=Telephone Directory|website=Meerut Development Authority|access-date=16 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816114653/http://mdameerut.in/telephone-directory/|archive-date=16 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

The city is administered by [[Meerut Municipal Corporation]], which is responsible for performing civic administrative functions administered by Municipal Commissioner (PCS Officer) whereas Mayor is ceremonial head of the corporation. The current Municipal Commissioner of Meerut Municipal Corporation is [[Manoj Kumar Chauhan (Indian civil servant)|Manoj Kumar Chauhan]].

=== Central Government Offices ===
The office of the Chief Commissioner, Customs & Central Excise, Meerut Zone, has jurisdiction over 13 districts of Uttrakhand and 14 districts of [[Uttar Pradesh]]. This jurisdiction was carved out of the Lucknow Zone. It comprises the erstwhile Customs & Central Excise Commissionerates of Meerut & Noida. The Meerut Commissionerate was bifurcated into two Commissionerates, namely, ‘Meerut-I and Ghaziabad’ and the Noida Commissionerate was bifurcated into ‘Noida and Meerut-II’. In addition, jurisdiction of Central Excise Division Bareilly was included in the jurisdiction of Meerut-II Commissionerate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cxmeerutzone.gov.in/aboutus.htm|title=Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax Meerut Zone: About Us|access-date=5 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613143614/http://cxmeerutzone.gov.in/aboutus.htm|archive-date=13 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
CGHS department of Meerut provides comprehensive health care facilities for the central govt employees and pensioners and their dependents residing in this city.

===District management===

*The Janikhurd Block is established on 1 October 1962.
*The Rohta block is established on 1 October 1959.
*The Daurala block is established on 1 October 1962.
*The Rajpura block is established on 1 October 1959.
*The Kharkhoda block is established on 1 October 1959.
*The Mawana block is established on 1 April 1957.
*The Meerut block is established on 1 April 1957.
*The Hastinapur block is established on 1 April 1963.
*The Sardhana block is established on 26 January 1955.
*The Saroorpur khurd block is established on 1 April 1959.
*The Machchhara block is established on 1 October 1961.
*The Parikshitgarh block is established on 1 April 1958.

==Meerut Cantonment==
[[File:Mall Road Meerut Cantt.jpg|right|thumb|Mall Road in Meerut Cantonment]]

Meerut Cantonment was established by the [[East India Company|British East India Company]] in 1803 after the [[Battle of Laswari]]. It is the one of the largest cantonment of India both in land area {{Convert|3568.06|hectare|sqkm|2|abbr=on}} and population of 93684 (civil + military) people as per 2011 census.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbmrt.org.in/introduction/profile/profile_history.html|title=Welcome To Meerut Cantonment Board|website=www.cbmrt.org.in|access-date=3 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517212818/http://cbmrt.org.in/introduction/profile/profile_history.html|archive-date=17 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Indian Rebellion of 1857#Meerut|Revolt of 1857]] started from "Kali Paltan" in Meerut Cantonment and [[Indian people|Indian]] soldiers stationed here actively participated in the rebellion.<ref name="CDPcityprofile">{{Harvnb|CDP|2006|loc=Chapter 3.0 - City Profile, p. 37}}</ref><ref name=cbh/> The cantonment surrounds the old city from 3 sides – from Pallavpuram to Sainik Vihar to Ganga Nagar.{{Sfn|CDP|2006|loc=Chapter 5 - SWOT Analysis, Section 5.2 - Weakness, p. 57}} It is well connected with the rest of country by roads as well as by rail. The Delhi Niti Paas Road (State Highway No. 45) passes through Meerut Cantonment.<ref name=cbh>{{cite web|title=Meerut Cantonment: Historical Background|url=http://cbmeerut.org.in/index.html|access-date=8 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721180408/http://cbmeerut.org.in/index.html|archive-date=21 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Meerut cantonment was the divisional headquarters of the [[7th (Meerut) Division]] of the [[British Indian Army]] from 1829 to 1920.

Soldiers from the cantonment have actively participated in the [[First Battle of Ypres]], both the [[First Battle of El Alamein|1st]] and [[Second Battle of El Alamein|2nd]] Battles of El Alamein, [[Battle of France]], [[Burma Campaign]], the [[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts|Indo-Pakistani Wars]], [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] and [[Kargil War]].{{citation needed|date=December 2013}}

It has been the regimental center of [[Punjab Regiment (India)|Punjab Regiment]] [[Indian Army Corps of Signals|Corps of Signals]], [[Jat Regiment]], [[Sikh Regiment]] and [[Dogra Regiment]].{{citation needed|date=December 2013}}

==Development==
[[File:Under-Construction Flyover on NH-58 Sardhana Road Crossing in Meerut.jpg|right|thumb|Atop an under-construction overpass]]
Meerut is the 63rd-fastest-growing urban area in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/urban_growth1.html|title=City Mayors: World's fastest growing urban areas (1)|access-date=27 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125090345/http://citymayors.com/statistics/urban_growth1.html|archive-date=25 November 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> It is the 14th fastest developing city in India. A June 2011 report by US financial services firm [[Morgan Stanley]] gave Meerut the 5th spot on the "vibrancy" index, ahead of Delhi and Mumbai.<ref name=mss>{{cite web|url=http://linkback.morganstanley.com/web/sendlink/webapp/BMServlet?file=p8nqjstu-3o4l-g000-bf29-d8d3855ac300&store=0&user=du2n7fso2h1-35&__gda__=1434119633_42de03d0250c5e68f10b338c6d0f6df6 |publisher=morgan stanley |title=MORGAN STANLEY AlphaWise City Vibrancy Index: A Guide to India's Urbanization |access-date=12 November 2012 |pages=15 |format=pdf |date=June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106173608/http://linkback.morganstanley.com/web/sendlink/webapp/BMServlet?file=p8nqjstu-3o4l-g000-bf29-d8d3855ac300&store=0&user=du2n7fso2h1-35&__gda__=1434119633_42de03d0250c5e68f10b338c6d0f6df6 |archive-date=6 January 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Meerut ranked second on both the financial penetration index, which measures things like the presence of ATMs and bank branches, and on the consumption index, indicating the city's transformation into an urban town. While the city ranked in the bottom 10 in job creations, the report suggests that overall there are plenty of signs of "potential for urbanisation," including future employment opportunities.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2011/06/15/why-meerut-is-more-vibrant-than-mumbai/ | work=The Wall Street Journal | first=Diksha | last=Sahni | title=Why Meerut is More Vibrant Than Mumbai | date=15 June 2011 | access-date=4 August 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316045416/http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2011/06/15/why-meerut-is-more-vibrant-than-mumbai/ | archive-date=16 March 2017 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref> The infrastructure segment of Meerut is currently going through a boom phase with many new projects coming up in and around the city.<ref name=credai>{{cite web|title=Realty Boom in Meerut – Credai-NCR|url=http://credaincr.org/archive_news_details.php?nid=8631&m=1&y=2011|publisher=credaincr.org|access-date=11 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814020439/http://credaincr.org/archive_news_details.php?nid=8631&m=1&y=2011|archive-date=14 August 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=toi2>{{cite web|title=Realty Boom in Meerut|url=http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=CAP/2011/01/08&PageLabel=53&EntityId=Ar05300&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T|work=[[The Times of India]]|location=India|access-date=11 April 2011|date=8 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829212553/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=CAP%2F2011%2F01%2F08&PageLabel=53&EntityId=Ar05300&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T|archive-date=29 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> There are many new buildings, shopping complexes, malls, roads, flyovers and apartments coming up. The Upper Ganga Canal Expressway is also under development.{{citation needed|date=December 2013}} On the [[India City Competitiveness Index]], the city ranked 45th in 2010,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://competitiveness.in/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/City-Competitiveness-Report-2010-Businessworld.pdf|title=Boulevards of Dreams|publisher=Businessworld|author=Srikant Srinivas|author2=Amit Kapoor|date=13 December 2010|access-date=4 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106175113/http://competitiveness.in/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/City-Competitiveness-Report-2010-Businessworld.pdf|archive-date=6 January 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> 37th in 2011<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-indias-50-most-competitive-cities/20111213.htm#26|title=India's 50 most Competitive cities|publisher=Rediff|date=13 December 2011|access-date=6 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106203709/http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-indias-50-most-competitive-cities/20111213.htm#26|archive-date=6 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> and 39th in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://competitiveness.in/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/India_City_Competitiveness_Index_2012_Rank.pdf|title=Ranks of 50 Cities as per the India City Competitiveness Index 2012|publisher=Institute of Competitiveness, India|access-date=4 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021183840/http://competitiveness.in/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/India_City_Competitiveness_Index_2012_Rank.pdf|archive-date=21 October 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Economy==

===Industry===
[[File:Book Cover of Sangeet Puranmal Ka.jpg|thumb|right|The cover of the book ''Sangeet Puranmal Ka'' (lit. The Music of Puranmal) by Ramlal. The book was published in 1879 from the city.]]
Meerut is one of the important industrial towns of western Uttar Pradesh with several traditional and modern industries.<ref name=ch3/> It is traditionally known for [[Loom|handloom]] works and [[scissors]] industry.<ref name="CDPeconomicbase">{{Harvnb|CDP|2006|loc=Executive Summary, Section 3.1.3 - Economic Base, p. 15}}</ref> Meerut was one of the first cities in northern India where publishing was set up during the 19th century. It was a major center of [[Publishing|commercial publishing]] during the 1860s and 1870s.<ref>{{cite book|title=Print areas: book history in India|author=Swapan Chakravorty, Abhijit Gupta, [[Jadavpur University]] Department of English|publisher=Orient Blackswan|year=2004|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lKQPnCIZMnIC|access-date=3 February 2012|isbn=978-81-7824-082-4}}</ref>

Meerut is a rich agricultural area, which also contains land that is not suitable for harvest.. Being in the proximity of Delhi, it is ideal for industry. It is home to 520 micro, small and medium scale industries.<ref name=did>{{cite web|url=http://meerut.nic.in/did_260810.pdf|title=Industrial Directory, District-Meerut|publisher=Meerut Official Website|page=29|access-date=28 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721180552/http://meerut.nic.in/did_260810.pdf|archive-date=21 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> {{As of|August 2006}}, Meerut has about 23,471 industrial units, including 15,510 small-scale units and 7,922 cottage industries.{{Sfn|CDP|2006|loc=Chapter 3 - City Profile, Section 3.5.1 - Industries, p. 46}}

Existing industries in the city include tyres, textile, transformer, sugar, distillery, chemical, engineering, paper, publishing, and sports goods manufacture.<ref name="CDPeconomicbase"/>{{Sfn|CDP|2006|loc=Chapter 1 - Indtroduction, Section 1.1 - Background, p. 31}}<ref name=did/> Prospective industries include [[Information technology|IT]] and [[ITES]].{{Sfn|CDP|2006|loc=Chapter 5 - SWOT Analysis, Section 5.3 - Opportunity, p. 58}}

[[UP State Industrial Development Corporation|Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation]] (UPSIDC) has two industrial estates in the city, namely [[Partapur, Uttar Pradesh|Partapur]] and Udyog Puram.<ref name=upsidc1>{{cite web|title=Industrial Area Description – UPSIDC|url=http://upsidc.com/search_action3.php?name=Meerut&ind_area=Udyog+Puram&Submit2=Submit|publisher=UPSIDC|access-date=9 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108214639/http://upsidc.com/search_action3.php?name=Meerut&ind_area=Udyog+Puram&Submit2=Submit|archive-date=8 January 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=upsidc2>{{cite web|title=Industrial Area Description – UPSIDC|url=http://upsidc.com/search_action3.php?name=Meerut&ind_area=Partapur&Submit2=Submit|publisher=UPSIDC|access-date=9 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108213136/http://upsidc.com/search_action3.php?name=Meerut&ind_area=Partapur&Submit2=Submit|archive-date=8 January 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Revenue generation===
Meerut has shown healthy numbers in terms of revenue generation. In 2005–06, Meerut occupied the fifth slot and contributed Rs 10,306 crore to the direct tax collection. It slipped to number six in 2006–07 when the revenue collection at Rs 11,203 crore was 18% lower than the target of Rs 13,627 crore. According to statistics compiled by the Income Tax department, Meerut contributed a Rs.10,089 crore to the national treasury in 2007/08, overall it was ranked 9th outperforming Lucknow, Jaipur, Bhopal, Kochi and Bhubaneshwar.<ref name=toi>{{cite news|title=Meerut 9th in top 10 tax-paying cities|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-01/india/27888870_1_direct-tax-collection-revenue-collection-meerut|location=India|access-date=3 July 2011|date=1 July 2008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724190657/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-01/india/27888870_1_direct-tax-collection-revenue-collection-meerut|archive-date=24 July 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Transport==
===Road===
[[File:Delhi–Meerut Expressway.jpg|thumb|Delhi–Meerut Expressway]]
Meerut is well-connected by road to major cities like [[Delhi]], [[Noida]], [[Faridabad]], [[Ghaziabad, India|Ghaziabad]], [[Haridwar]], [[Bulandshahr]], etc. A large number of people commute to Delhi, Noida, [[Greater Noida]], Ghaziabad and [[Gurugram]] every day for work. Three national highways ([[National Highway 58 (India)|NH-58]], [[National Highway 119 (India)|NH-119]] & [[National Highway 235 (India)|NH-235]]) pass through Meerut. The [[Delhi–Meerut Expressway]] - a 90 km long [[Controlled-access highway|controlled-access expressway]] connects Meerut with Delhi via [[Dasna]] in [[Ghaziabad district]]. [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] laid the [[Cornerstone|foundation stone]] for the expressway on 31 December 2015, and the expressway was completed and opened for public on 1 April 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Delhi-Meerut Expressway open for public, cuts travel time to 45 minutes|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/delhi-meerut-expressway-open-for-public-cuts-travel-time-to-45-min/articleshow/81853266.cms}}</ref>

There are 2 main [[Bus station|bus terminals]], namely Bhainsali bus terminal and Sohrab Gate bus terminal from where [[Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation]] (UPSRTC) buses ply to cities all over the state and all nearby cities. A [[JNNURM]] scheme was put in place.<ref name="CDPintroduction">{{Harvnb|CDP|2006|loc=Executive Summary, Section 1.0 - Introduction, p. 13}}</ref> [[Low-floor bus|Low Floor]] City Buses (under JNNURM),{{citation needed|date=August 2013}} Normal City Buses, auto rickshaws and rickshaws are convenient public transport options to commute within the city.{{Sfn|CDP|2006|loc=Chapter 6 - Urban Infrastructure, Section 6.6.5 - Transportation systems in the City, p. 74}}

Many new transport infrastructure projects like the inner ring road, outer ring road and construction of new flyovers are proposed and being made as well.{{Sfn|CMP|loc=Proposed Mobility Corridors, p. 12}}{{Sfn|CMP|loc=Road Over Bridges, p. 32}} The under-construction [[Ganga Expressway]] will start from Meerut till [[Allahabad]], and in the future, it will be extended from Meerut to [[Haridwar]]. Other expressways which will pass nearby Meerut are the [[Upper Ganga Canal Expressway]], [[Delhi–Saharanpur–Dehradun Expressway]] and Gorakhpur–Shamli Expressway.

===Railways===
Meerut lies on the [[Delhi–Meerut–Saharanpur line]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/ghaziabad-saharanpur-rail-route-electrified-railways-116031600922_1.html|title=Ghaziabad-Saharanpur rail route electrified: Railways|agency=Press Trust of India|date=16 March 2016|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622224717/http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/ghaziabad-saharanpur-rail-route-electrified-railways-116031600922_1.html|archive-date=22 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> and has five railway stations: [[Meerut City railway station|Meerut City]], [[Meerut Cantt railway station|Meerut Cantt.]], [[Partapur, Uttar Pradesh|Partapur]], Mohiuddinpur and Pabli Khas. Meerut City railway station is the busiest. The railway line between [[Delhi]] and Meerut was constructed in 1864,<ref name="kinship"/> and the Meerut Cantt. station, which serves as a secondary railway station, was founded in 1865.

About 20,000 passengers travel daily to Delhi and back. Around 27 pairs of trains run between Meerut and Delhi, and four between Meerut and [[Khurja Junction railway station|Khurja]]. Two trains are available for [[Lucknow]] daily, namely [[Nauchandi Express]] and [[Rajya Rani Express]]. A weekly train goes to [[Chennai]] and [[Kochuveli]]. Daily trains connect Meerut to [[Mumbai]], [[Ahmedabad]], [[Jaipur]], [[Rajkot]] and many cities in other states.{{citation needed|date=December 2014}}

====Metro project====
;{{Main|Meerut Metro}}

On 30 December 2014, the [[Government of Uttar Pradesh|Uttar Pradesh Cabinet]] approved the proposed metro rail project in Meerut, to boost the urban mass transport infrastructure in the city. The state government nominated [[RITES|RITES Limited]] and [[Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation]] (UPMRC) for preparing the respective [[detailed project report]] (DPR) and as a coordinator, respectively. The development authorities are nodal agencies for the DPR.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/akhilesh-plans-four-metro-rail-projects-before-next-assembly-polls-115030400787_1.html|title=Akhilesh plans four metro rail projects before next assembly polls|author=Virendra Singh Rawat|date=5 March 2015|access-date=27 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729200728/http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/akhilesh-plans-four-metro-rail-projects-before-next-assembly-polls-115030400787_1.html|archive-date=29 July 2015|url-status=live|newspaper=Business Standard India}}</ref>

The metro project got approval from the divisional commissioner. It was decided in the meeting that the project would be along two corridors, by dividing the project into two phases–Phase I from Partapur to Pallavpuram, and Phase II from Rajban Market to Gokalpur village. The main stations on the first corridor in the first phase will be Partapur, Panchwati Enclave, Rithani, Rithani West, Shatabdi Nagar, Devlok, Madhavpuram, Meerut Railway Station Road, Lajpat Bazaar, Begampul, Gandhi Bagh, Lekha Nagar, Pallavpuram Dorli, Ansal City and Pallavpuram.
While in the second phase, the corridor in the Partapur-Pallavpuram route will cover 20 km, and will have a total number of 18 stations in between, the 10 km-long route from Rajban Market to Gokalpur village will have nine stations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nyoooz.com/meerut/126485/city-in-search-of-new-sites-for-metro|title=City in search of new sites for metro|author=NYOOOZ|work=NYOOOZ|access-date=27 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615232702/http://www.nyoooz.com/meerut/126485/city-in-search-of-new-sites-for-metro|archive-date=15 June 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS)====
;{{Main|Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System}}
The NCR Transport Plan 2021 proposed a rail-based mass transit system, called the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) between Delhi to Meerut, with the [[Shahdara district|Shahdara]]-[[Ghaziabad]] section scheduled for construction during 2001-11, and the Ghaziabad-Meerut section scheduled for 2011–21.<ref name="ncr21">{{cite web|url=http://www.ncrpb.nic.in/pdf_files/10modified_ch06transport.pdf|title=NCR Transport Plan 2021|pages=6–7, 11|access-date=24 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321191743/http://www.ncrpb.nic.in/pdf_files/10modified_ch06transport.pdf|archive-date=21 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2010, the RRTS was reported to be proposed between [[Anand Vihar]] and Meerut with the project in its initial stages. The cost was projected to be around {{INRConvert|1000|c}} with the expected time of the journey being 45 minutes.<ref name="min">{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/soon-meerut-45-mins-away-on-rapid-transit/681630/|title=Soon, Meerut 45 mins away on rapid transit|author=Pragya Kaushika|publisher=The Indian Express|date=15 September 2010|access-date=13 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921055420/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/soon-meerut-45-mins-away-on-rapid-transit/681630/|archive-date=21 September 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2010, the train speed was proposed to be between 130 and 160 kmph, with stations at Anand Vihar, Sahibabad, Mohan Nagar, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, Moradnagar, Modinagar, Meerut South, Shatabdi Nagar, Meerut Centre, Begumpul, Meerut North, Pallavpuram being the stops.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/anand-vihar-to-meerut-rts-7-of-14-stations-likely-to-be-in-ghaziabad/713690/|title=Anand Vihar to Meerut RTS: 7 of 14 stations likely to be in Ghaziabad|author=Pragya Kaushika|publisher=The Indian Express|date=20 November 2010|access-date=13 December 2010}}</ref>

On 14 December 2010, the NCR Planning Board, Meerut Development Authority (MDA) and [[Meerut Municipal Corporation]] approved the project.<ref name="HT">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/High-speed-train-routes-get-approval/Article1-638921.aspx|title=High speed train route gets approval|publisher=Hindustan Times|date=14 December 2010|access-date=15 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211050142/http://www.hindustantimes.com/High-speed-train-routes-get-approval/Article1-638921.aspx|archive-date=11 February 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> In August 2011, it was reported that the project tender had been awarded to [[Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System]] (DIMTS). The proposed system was to have dedicated trains between Anand Vihar and Meerut, with no stops in between, and trains which will stop at stations will be constructed after a gap of 4–5 km. The reported stations were Anand Vihar, Vaishali, Mohan Nagar, Meerut Road (Airtel Cut), Morta, Duhai, Muradnagar, Gang Nahar, Modinagar, Mohiuddinpur, Meerut Bypass Cut and Pallavpuram, with completion expected in 2017. The track between Anand Vihar to Dabur was proposed to be underground with the rest of the track overhead.<ref name="naredco">{{cite web|url=http://www.naredco.in/news-updates-details.asp?id=3110&prYear=2011&xmon=Aug&st=1&links=|title=Delhi to Meerut in 45 Minutes|publisher=National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO), NEW DELHI|date=5 August 2011|access-date=6 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527105651/http://www.naredco.in/news-updates-details.asp?id=3110&prYear=2011&xmon=Aug&st=1&links=|archive-date=27 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 11 July 2013, the [[Government of India|Union Cabinet of India]] approved the formation of the [[National Capital Region Transport Corporation]] Limited (NCRTCL), with a seed capital of {{INRConvert|100|c}}. The corporation will take up the construction of the 90 km-long Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor on a priority basis (along with two other corridors) with planned completion in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Government-approves-setting-up-of-NCR-transport-corporation/articleshow/21017757.cms|title=Government approves setting up of NCR transport corporation|publisher=[[Times of India]]|author=Press Trust of India|date=11 July 2013|access-date=12 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161206193856/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Government-approves-setting-up-of-NCR-transport-corporation/articleshow/21017757.cms|archive-date=6 December 2016|url-status=live|author-link=Press Trust of India}}</ref> It was reported that the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the three corridors were under the process of finalisation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=97139|title=Press Release - Formation of National Capital Region Transport Corporation Limited (NCRTC)|date=11 July 2013|access-date=6 January 2014|publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020024152/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=97139|archive-date=20 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2013, problems were reported in the proposed alignment of the Delhi-Meerut corridor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/metro-projects-in-india-cheapest-in-the-world-458348|title=Metro projects in India cheapest in the world|publisher=NDTV|access-date=6 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106225450/http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/metro-projects-in-india-cheapest-in-the-world-458348|archive-date=6 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2014, it was reported that the proposed alignment had to be changed due to objections by [[National Highways Authority of India|NHAI]] and the feasibility report had to be prepared again. The new proposed alignment increased the length from 90 km to 106 km.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/meerut-city-10980116.html|title=बदला मेरठ-दिल्ली हाईस्पीड ट्रेन का रूट|language=hi|date=3 January 2014|trans-title=Meerut-Delhi Highspeed train route changed|access-date=6 January 2014|publisher=Dainik Jagran|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110185443/http://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/meerut-city-10980116.html|archive-date=10 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

In March 2018, the project's construction was started after the [[Cornerstone|foundation stone]] was laid by [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]], [[Narendra Modi]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/delhi-to-meerut-in-60-mins-with-160-kmph-rapid-rail-pm-modi-lays-foundation-stone-10-facts-you-must-know/1509736/|title=PM Narendra Modi laid down the foundation stone for the project|work=The Financial Express|date=8 March 2019|access-date=11 March 2023}}</ref> As of 2023, the alignment is {{cvt|82|km}} long, and the 17-km first stretch, as the priority corridor, from [[Sahibabad]] to [[Duhai]] is almost completed, and will be opened by March 2023, while the next stretch till South Meerut will be completed by the first quarter of 2024. The entire corridor will be completed by March 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-02-04 |title=RRTS trials to south Meerut by year-end |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/rrts-trials-to-south-meerut-by-year-end/articleshow/97591947.cms |access-date=2023-03-11 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-04 |title=NCRTC Conducts Successful Trial Run Of India's First High-Speed RRTS Train From Duhai To Ghaziabad |url=https://www.india.com/uttar-pradesh/ncrtc-conducts-successful-trial-run-of-indias-first-high-speed-rrts-train-from-duhai-to-ghaziabad-5838675/ |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=India.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-25 |title=Ghaziabad: Four RRTS stations on 17km priority line to be ready by mid-March |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/noida-news/ghaziabad-four-rrts-stations-on-17km-priority-line-to-be-ready-by-midmarch-101677318809199.html |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

===Air===
The nearest airport is [[Hindon Airport]] at Ghaziabad, located {{cvt|64|km}} away, while the major airport, [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] at Delhi is about {{cvt|100|km}} away.

The [[Meerut Airport|Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Airport]] is located at [[Partapur, Uttar Pradesh|Partapur]]. It was proposed by the state government that the airstrip be converted to an international airport to reduce pressure on Delhi airport.<ref name=air>{{cite news|title=UP for Meerut Airport, Greater Noida Realty may skid|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-02-23/delhi/28135312_1_land-rates-greater-noida-airport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100402010101/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010%2D02%2D23/delhi/28135312_1_land%2Drates%2Dgreater%2Dnoida%2Dairport|work=[[The Times of India]] |location=India|access-date=30 March 2011|author=Lalit Kumar|archive-date=2 April 2010|page=1|format=XHTML 1.0 Transitional|url-status=dead|date=23 February 2010}}</ref> However, Plans to expand the Domestic airport were called off after protests against land acquisition started in other parts of the state.<ref>{{cite web|title= Maya govt scraps plan to expand Meerut airstrip|date= 29 August 2010|url= http://www.financialexpress.com/news/maya-govt-scraps-plan-to-expand-meerut-airstrip/673405/|access-date= 6 July 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140415191013/http://www.financialexpress.com/news/maya-govt-scraps-plan-to-expand-meerut-airstrip/673405|archive-date= 15 April 2014|url-status= live|df= dmy-all}}</ref> Following an accident in May 2012, the city administration barred private flights from using the airstrip.<ref>{{cite news |title= Meerut admin bars private flights from Partapur airstrip| url=http://www.business-standard.com/generalnews/news/meerut-admin-bars-private-flightspartapur-airstrip/9510/| newspaper=Business Standard India| date=16 May 2012| agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{See also|Meerut district#Demographics}}

{{bar box
|title=Religions in Meerut City (2011)<ref>{{cite web|title=Meerut City Census 2011 Data|url=http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/101-meerut.html|website=Census 2011|access-date=21 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929122501/http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/101-meerut.html|archive-date=29 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism]]|darkorange|61.15}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|green|36.05}}
{{bar percent|
[[Jainism]]|pink|0.92}}
{{bar percent|[[Sikhism]]|yellow|0.60}}
{{bar percent|[[Christian]]|Blue|0.41}}
{{bar percent|Others†|black|0.96}}
|caption=Distribution of religions 
†Includes ,[[Buddhism|Buddhists]] (<0.09%).
}}

According to the 2011 census, the '''Meerut Urban Agglomeration (Meerut UA)''' has a population of around 1.42 million,<ref name="cen11ua" /> (comparable to kingdom of [[Bahrain]] or [[Trinidad and Tobago]]) with the municipality contributing roughly 1.31 million of it.<ref name="cen11city">{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_2_PR_Cities_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf|title=Cities having population 1 lakh and above, Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011|access-date=25 August 2013|publisher=Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507135928/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_2_PR_Cities_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf|archive-date=7 May 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The Meerut Urban Agglomeration consists of area falling under Meerut Municipal Corporation, Meerut Cantonment Board and 4 [[census town]]s of Sindhawali, Amehra Adipur, [[Aminagar Urf Bhurbaral]] and [[Mohiuddinpur]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_4_PR_UAs_1Lakh_and_Above_Appendix.pdf|title=CONSTITUENTS OF URBAN AGGLOMERATIONS HAVING POPULATION 1 LAKH & ABOVE, CENSUS 2011|access-date=15 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306023808/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_4_PR_UAs_1Lakh_and_Above_Appendix.pdf|archive-date=6 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/101-meerut.html|title=Meerut City Population Census 2011 {{!}} Uttar Pradesh|website=www.census2011.co.in|access-date=15 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626002702/http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/101-meerut.html|archive-date=26 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> This makes Meerut the [[List of million-plus urban agglomerations in India|33rd]] most populous [[urban agglomeration]] and the [[List of most populous cities in India|28th]] most populous city in India. The sex ratio in Meerut UA is 887, lower than the state average of 908; while the child sex ratio is 845, lower than the state average of 899. 12.99% of the population is under 6 years of age.<ref name=":0" /> The overall literacy rate is 76.28%, higher than the state average of 69.72%.<ref name="cen11ua" /><ref name="cen11c">{{cite web|title=Census of India 2011 – Provisional Population Totals – Uttar Pradesh – Data Sheet|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/data_files/up/Census2011Data%20Sheet-UP.pdf|access-date=15 March 2012|publisher=Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626232334/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/data_files/up/Census2011Data%20Sheet-UP.pdf|archive-date=26 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{As of|2017}}, Meerut ranks 328 (based on population), 189 (based on population density), 648 (based on built-up area) among world's urban areas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf|title=Demographia : World Urban Areas|website=www.demographia.com|access-date=29 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013155105/http://demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf|archive-date=13 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to the 2001 census, the city ranked 2nd in terms of population in NCR<ref>{{cite web|url=http://urbanindia.nic.in/moud/theministry/subordinateoff/tcpo/DMA_Report/CHAPTER_2.pdf|title=Area, Population and Density of Cities and Towns of India - 2001, Chapter II - Area and Density – All Cities and Towns|date=December 2007|publisher=Socio-economic and Monitoring Division, Town and Country Planning Organisation, Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India}}{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and 25th in India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citymayors.com/gratis/indian_cities.html|title=India's largest cities / urban areas|access-date=3 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119101044/http://www.citymayors.com/gratis/indian_cities.html|archive-date=19 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+Demographics of Meerut Metropolitan area (Meerut UA) (Census 2011, updated)<ref name=":0" />
! rowspan="2" |Metropolis
! rowspan="2" |City/Town/Village {{efn-lr|1=M Corp. = [[Municipal Corporations in India|Municipal Corporation]], NP = [[Nagar panchayat]], NPP = [[Nagar Palika Parishad]], CB = [[Cantonment Board]], CT = [[Census Town]]}}
! colspan="3" |Population
! rowspan="2" |[[Sex ratio|Sex Ratio]]
! colspan="3" |[[Literacy in India|Literacy Rate]]{{efn-lr|For Literacy rate, population aged 7 and above only is considered in India. }}
|-
!Male
!Female
!Total
!Male
!Female
!Total
|-
| rowspan="6" |Meerut UA
|Meerut (CB)
|53024
|40288
|93,312
|760
|87.99%
|79.48%
|84.33%
|-
|'''Meerut (M Corp.)'''
|'''688118'''
|'''617311'''
|'''1,305,429'''
|'''897'''
|'''80.97%'''
|'''69.79%'''
|'''75.66%'''
|-
|Mohiuddinpur (CT)
|2811
|2389
|5,200
|850
|89.17%
|69.63%
|80.13%
|-
|Aminagar Urf Bhurbaral (CT)
|3314
|2827
|6,141
|853
|91.01%
|69.68%
|81.02%
|-
|Amehra Adipur (CT)
|2844
|2641
|5,485
|929
|85.68%
|68.05%
|77.14%
|-
|Sindhawali (CT)
|2782
|2553
|5,335
|918
|79.92%
|64.44%
|72.53%
|-
| colspan="2" |'''Meerut UA - Total'''
|'''752,893'''
|'''668,009'''
|'''1,420,902'''
|'''887'''
|'''81.57 %'''
|'''70.36 %'''
|'''76.28 %'''
|-
| colspan="9" |{{notelist-lr}}
|}

{|class="wikitable"
|+Historical Population Statistics<ref name="imp264"/><ref name=kinship /><ref name="imp263">{{Harvnb|The Imperial Gazetteer|1909|loc=[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V17_269.gif p. 263]}}</ref>{{Efn|name=historical|Includes municipality and cantonment populations}}
|-
! Year !! Male !! Female !! Total !! Growth
|-
| 1847 || NA || NA || 29,014 ||
|-
| 1853 || NA || NA || 82,035 || 182.74%
|-
| 1872 || NA || NA || 81,386 || -0.79%
|-
| 1881 || NA || NA || 99,565 || 22.34%
|-
| 1891 || NA || NA || 119,390 || 19.91%
|-
| 1901 || 65,822 (55.53%) || 52,717 (44.47%) || 118,539 || -0.71%
|-
| 1911 || 66,542 (57.05%) || 50,089 (42.95%) || 116,631 || -1.6%
|-
| 1921 || 71,816 (58.57%) || 50,793 (41.43%) || 122,609 || 5.12%
|-
| 1931 || 80,073 (58.57%) || 56,636 (41.43%) || 136,709 || 11.49%
|-
| 1941 || 98,829 (58.38%) || 70,461 (41.62%) || 169,290 || 23.83%
|-
| 1951 || 133,094 (57.08%) || 100,089 (42.92%) || 233,183 || 37.74%
|-
| 1961 || 157,572 (55.48%) || 126,425 (44.52%) || 283,997 || 21.79%
|-
|colspan=5 style="font-size:88%"|{{Notelist|group=historical}}
|}

{|class="wikitable"
|+ Meerut Urban '''Agglomeration (Meerut UA)''' Population Statistics{{efn|For Meerut Urban Agglomeration, includes municipality and cantonment populations and 4 census towns of Sindhawali, Amehra Adipur, Aminagar Urf Bhurbaral and Mohiuddinpur.}}
|-
! Year || Male || Female || Total || Growth rate || Sex ratio{{Efn|In females per 1000 males}}
|-
|| 2001<ref name="cen01">{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/PopulationFinder/View_Village_Population.aspx?pcaid=5576&category=U.A.|title=Census of India 2001: View Population Details: Meerut UA|access-date=25 August 2013|publisher=Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140418055624/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/PopulationFinder/View_Village_Population.aspx?pcaid=5576&category=U.A.|archive-date=18 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> || 621,481 (53.50%) || 540,235 (46.50%) || 1,161,716 || NA || NA
|-
|| 2011<ref name="cen11ua">{{cite web|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf|title=Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above, Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011|access-date=25 August 2013|publisher=Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017153124/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_3_PR_UA_Citiees_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf|archive-date=17 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":0" />{{Efn|Provisional Data was revised and finalized when govt. updated 2011 census data on 20 May 2013.}}|| 752,893 (52.99%) || 668,009 (47.01%) || 1,420,902 || 22.31% || 887
|-
|colspan=6 style="font-size:88%"|{{notelist}}
|}

{|class="wikitable"
|+ Literacy Rate (Percentage)
! Year || Male || Female || Total
|-
| 2001<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|title=Table - 3 : Population, population in the age group 0-6 and literates by sex - Cities/Towns (in alphabetic order): 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040814033526/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=14 August 2004|access-date=25 August 2013|publisher=Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India}}</ref> || 65.22 || 53.17 || 59.62
|-
| 2011<ref name=":0" /><ref name="cen11ua"/> || 83.74 (+18.52) || 72.19 (+19.02) || 78.29 (+18.67)
|}

{|class="wikitable"
|+ Crime Rate in Meerut (Total cognisable crimes under [[Indian Penal Code|IPC]] per lakh population)
! Year || Rate in Meerut || Rate in UP || Rate in India
|-
| 2011<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ncrb.gov.in/sites/default/files/crime_in_india_table_additional_table_chapter_reports/Table%201.6_2011.pdf|title=Incidence & Rate of Total Cognizable Crimes (IPC) In States, UTs & Cities During 2011|publisher=[[National Crime Records Bureau]]|access-date=9 April 2020}}</ref> || 305.5 || 97.8 || 192.2
|-
| 2012<ref name="crime">{{cite web|title=Crime in India – 2012 Statistics |url=http://ncrb.nic.in/CD-CII2012/Statistics2012.pdf |publisher=[[National Crime Records Bureau]] |access-date=17 October 2013 |pages=28–29 |year=2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620023952/http://ncrb.nic.in/CD-CII2012/Statistics2012.pdf |archive-date=20 June 2014 }}</ref> || 309.1 || 96.4 || 196.7
|-
| 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ncrb.gov.in/sites/default/files/crime_in_india_table_additional_table_chapter_reports/Table%201.6_2013.pdf|title=Incidence & Rate of Total Cognizable Crimes (IPC) In States, UTs & Cities During 2013|publisher=[[National Crime Records Bureau]]|access-date=9 April 2020|year=2013}}</ref> || 368.5 || 108.4 || 215.5
|-
| 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ncrb.gov.in/sites/default/files/crime_in_india_table_additional_table_chapter_reports/Table%202.1_2014.pdf|title=Incidence & Rate of Total Cognizable Crimes (IPC) During 2014|access-date=9 April 2020|publisher=[[National Crime Records Bureau]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ncrb.gov.in/sites/default/files/crime_in_india_table_additional_table_chapter_reports/Table%201.4_2014.pdf|title=Incidence & Rate of Total Cognizable Crimes (IPC) During 2014|publisher=[[National Crime Records Bureau]]|access-date=9 April 2020}}</ref> || 430.9 || 113.2 || 229.2
|-
| 2015<ref>https://ncrb.gov.in/sites/default/files/crime_in_india_table_additional_table_chapter_reports/Table%202.1_2015.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ncrb.gov.in/sites/default/files/crime_in_india_table_additional_table_chapter_reports/Table%201.4_2015.pdf|title=Cases Reported & Rate of Total Cognizable Crimes (IPC) During 2015|publisher=[[National Crime Records Bureau]]|access-date=9 April 2020}}</ref> || 408.6 || 112.1 || 234.2
|}

==Culture==
[[File:Mustafa Castle -- night shot.jpg|thumb|[[Mustafa Castle]] was built in 1900]]
Most [[Festivals in India|traditional Indian festivals]], including [[Holi]], [[Vijayadashami|Dussehra]], [[Diwali]], [[Eid al-Fitr|Eid]] among others are celebrated with fervor in the city. Notably, a fair by the name of ''Nauchandi Fair'' is held two weeks after Holi every year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nauchandi Mela |url=http://www.religiousportal.com/NauchandiFair.html |work=religiousportal.com |access-date=3 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512080650/http://religiousportal.com/NauchandiFair.html |archive-date=12 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The fair, which started in 1672,<ref name=uptour2/> continues for about 15 days and is attended by [[lakh]]s of people. It includes events such as poetry recitations in Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi etc.<ref>{{cite book|title=Fairs of India|publisher=Prabhat Prakashan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ol4Ndx9itz0C|access-date=3 February 2012|isbn=978-81-87100-43-0|pages=16–18}}</ref> [[Khariboli dialect|Khariboli]] is the local dialect with official business conducted in either [[Hindi]]-[[Urdu]] or English.

Meerut is the headquarters of the [[Roman Catholic]] Meerut Diocese, which covers the districts of Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Dehradun, Haridwar, Moradabad, Rampur, Jyotiba Phule Nagar, Ghaziabad, Baghpat and Dhampur Tehsil of Bijnor district.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Short History of Meerut Diocese |url=http://www.ucanindia.in/diocesan-directory/home/diocese/meerut/130/ |publisher=UCAN India |access-date=30 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014000826/http://www.ucanindia.in/diocesan-directory/home/diocese/meerut/130 |archive-date=14 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Nauchandi Mela (Fair) ===
{{Main|Nauchandi Mela }}
[[File:NAUCHANDI GATE MEERUT.jpg|thumb|left|One of the entrance gates of Nauchandi mela ground at Meerut.]]
The '''Nauchandi Mela''' is an annual [[fair]] held at Nauchandi Ground in Meerut.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://meerutnagarnigam.in/forms/NAUCHANDI%20MELAnew.pdf|title=Nauchandi Mela : Meerut Nagar Nigam|website=meerutnagarnigam.in|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215123911/http://meerutnagarnigam.in/forms/NAUCHANDI%20MELAnew.pdf|archive-date=15 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiaprofile.com/fairs-festivals/nauchandimela.htm|title=Nauchandi Mela of Meerut|website=www.indiaprofile.com|access-date=7 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401114029/http://www.indiaprofile.com/fairs-festivals/nauchandimela.htm|archive-date=1 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The fair stretches for about a month and is organized by the Municipal Corporation of Meerut. It generally starts from the second Sunday after [[Holi]].<ref name=":2" /> The main exhibits are the artistic and religious rituals followed in rustic Uttar Pradesh. The fair witness more than 50,000 visitors every year. The [[Indian Railways]]' [[Nauchandi Express]] train is named after this fair.

The fair has a prominent history dating back several hundreds of years. It started in the year 1672 AD as a one-day cattle trading fair. The fair has been held every year, excluding 1858, the year after [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|1857 revolt]], which started from Meerut.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.meerutonline.in/city-guide/nauchandi-fair-in-meerut|title=Nauchandi Fair in Meerut, Historical Significance Nauchandi Fair|website=www.meerutonline.in|access-date=7 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701060355/http://www.meerutonline.in/city-guide/nauchandi-fair-in-meerut|archive-date=1 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since then cattle trading has been replaced by a number of other activities. The fair feature shops for [[Lucknow]]'s [[Chikan (embroidery)|Chikan]] work, [[Moradabad]]'s [[brassware]], [[Varanasi]]'s carpets, rugs and silk [[Sari|sarees]], [[Agra]]'s footwear, [[Kanpur|Meerut]]'s leather items, etc. Meerut's own products like sports goods, scissors, [[gajak]]s,{{which lang|date=April 2021}} [[Nankhatai|nan-khatai]]{{which lang|date=April 2021}} are also sold.<ref name=":3" /> Giant [[rides]], [[Ferris wheel|wheels]], circus and various other recreational arenas where artists perform stunts, remains a big attraction of the fair.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://journeymart.com/holidays-ideas/festivals/nauchandi-mela-uttar-pradesh.aspx|title=Nauchandi Mela 2017 - Nauchandi Mela Meerut - Nauchandi Mela in Uttar Pradesh, India|website=journeymart.com|access-date=7 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707062255/http://journeymart.com/holidays-ideas/festivals/nauchandi-mela-uttar-pradesh.aspx|archive-date=7 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Film and television ===
Meerut is home to a film industry, which has a following in Western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. The films are usually folklore stories or comedies or localised versions of Bollywood hits.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naachgaana.com/2007/07/15/mollywood-dreams-audience-applauds-as-meeruts-showbiz-aspirations-take-wing/ |title=Mollywood dreams-Audience applauds as Meerut's showbiz aspirations take wing |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415100323/http://www.naachgaana.com/2007/07/15/mollywood-dreams-audience-applauds-as-meeruts-showbiz-aspirations-take-wing/ |archive-date=15 April 2014 }}</ref> The films which have been shot here include [[Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety]], [[Zero (2018 film)|Zero]], and [[Rajma Chawal]].

Notable people from Meerut in the film and television industry include [[Bharat Bhushan Bhalla|Bharat Bhushan]], [[Aziz Mian]], [[Mandakini (actress)|Mandakini]],<ref>{{cite book|title=70 years of Indian cinema, 1913–1983|author=T. M. Ramachandran|year=1985|publisher=Cinema India-International|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q9rthUDKxyEC|access-date=15 March 2012|isbn=978-0-86132-090-5|page=129|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522200019/http://books.google.com/books?id=Q9rthUDKxyEC|archive-date=22 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Achint Kaur]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Playing historical character is not easy: Achint Kaur |publisher=Indo-Asian News Service |place=Mumbai |date=31 December 2010 |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_Story.aspx?id=ENTEN20100165067 |access-date=15 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314201937/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_Story.aspx?id=ENTEN20100165067 |archive-date=14 March 2012 }}</ref><ref name="stars"/> [[Kailash Kher]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kailashkher.com/bio.php |title=Biography – Kailash Kher |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518002435/http://www.kailashkher.com/bio.php |archive-date=18 May 2012 }}</ref> [[Chitrangada Singh]],<ref name="stars"/><ref name=midday/> [[Vishal Bhardwaj]],<ref name="stars">{{cite news|title=Stars on the horizon|author=Sandeep Rai|newspaper=Meerut Plus, [[Times of India]]|date=15 August 2012}}</ref> [[Deepti Bhatnagar]]<ref name="stars"/><ref name="midday">{{cite news|title=Vishal Bhardwaj mentors Chitrangada |url=http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2010/mar/200310-Anirudh-Ruhela-mentors-chitrangada.htm |publisher=Mid-day |date=20 March 2012 |place=Mumbai |access-date=15 March 2012 |archive-date=5 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405000705/http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2010/mar/200310-vishal-bhardwaj-mentors-chitrangada.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Interview with Vishal Bhardwaj: Glamsham.com |url=http://www.glamsham.com/movies/interviews/vishal_bharadwaj1.asp |access-date=15 March 2012 |archive-date=30 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530053726/http://www.glamsham.com/movies/interviews/vishal_bharadwaj1.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[Pravesh Rana]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-26/news-interviews/34083823_1_pravesh-rana-tigmanshu-dhulia-bigg-boss|title=Pravesh toes the family line|date=26 September 2012|access-date=14 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231060423/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-26/news-interviews/34083823_1_pravesh-rana-tigmanshu-dhulia-bigg-boss|archive-date=31 December 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Education==
{{Main|List of educational institutions in Meerut district}}
[[File:Administrative Block CCS University, Meerut.jpg|thumb|[[Chaudhary Charan Singh University]]]]
Meerut is an education hub of Western Uttar Pradesh with near about four or five universities, approximately 50 engineering colleges, 23 management colleges, seven pharmacy colleges, four colleges offering hotel management, one college offering fashion design, over 150 academic colleges and over 50 schools. The city is home to [[Chaudhary Charan Singh University]] (formerly Meerut University), [[Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology]], [[Swami Vivekanand Subharti University]], [[Shobhit Institute of Engineering & Technology]] and IIMT University. The city has one government-run engineering college, [[Sir Chhotu Ram Institute of Engineering and Technology]], a constituent college of Chaudhary Charan Singh University. There are schools affiliated to recognized boards such as [[Indian Certificate of Secondary Education|ICSE]], [[Central Board of Secondary Education|CBSE]], [[International Baccalaureate|IB]] and the state board. One such school is the St. John's Sr. Sec School (established by [[Begum Samru]]) which is over 130 years old, also the first IB school in Uttar Pradesh was Vidya Global school.

[[Shobhit Institute of Engineering & Technology]] is the only Deemed-to-be University in Meerut district. It was notified in 2006 by Ministry of HRD, Government of India u/s 3 of UGC Act 1956.

[[Shri Venkateshwara University]] recognized by UGC, located in Amroha near Meerut.

[[IIMT University|IIMT Engineering College which is now called IIMT University]] is the oldest engineering institute of Meerut district. It was established in 1997.

[[Chaudhary Charan Singh University]] (CCSU) is a public and state university which has many degree colleges affiliated to it. They fall in two divisions: [[Saharanpur]] and Meerut with nine districts including [[Saharanpur]], Meerut, [[Muzaffarnagar]], [[Shamli]], [[Gautam Budh Nagar]], [[Bagpat]], [[Hapur]], [[Bulandshahr]] and [[Ghaziabad district, India|Ghaziabad]] administered by Vice-Chancellor and Registrar (PCS officer).
The Indian Film and Television Institute is located at the western bypass of the city. The city has three medical colleges: [[Lala Lajpat Rai Memorial Medical College]], [[Subharti Medical College]] and [[Mulayam Singh Yadav Medical College & Hospital]].

===Notable Schools===

*[[St. Mary's Academy, Meerut]]
*[[St. Thomas' English Medium School]]

==Media==
Meerut is becoming a media centre, as journalists from all over [[Uttar Pradesh]] and other Indian states are working in Meerut. Radio stations shared with Delhi are [[Radio City (Indian radio station)|Radio City]] 91.1 MHz, [[Big FM (Indian radio station)|Big FM]] 92.7 MHz, [[Red FM (India)|Red FM]] 93.5 MHz, [[Radio One (India)|Radio One]] 94.3 MHz, Hit 95 (95 MHz), [[Radio Mirchi]] 98.3 MHz, [[AIR FM Rainbow]] 102.6 MHz, [[Meow FM]] 104.8 MHz, [[AIR FM Gold]] 106.4 MHz. [[Radio IIMT]] (90.4 MHz)<ref name="Radio IIMT">[[Radio IIMT]]</ref> is the only radio station located in the city. The Hindi-language daily newspapers [[Hindustan (newspaper)]], [[Rajasthan Patrika]], [[Dainik Jagran]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Dainik Jagran:About Us |url=http://www6.jagran.com/about/districts.htm |access-date=3 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108034958/http://www6.jagran.com/about/districts.htm |archive-date=8 January 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Amar Ujala]], Dainik Janwani, The Hindu, Rashtrasewa, Dainik Jagran iNext are published from the city. The English daily [[Times of India]], Meerut edition<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.exchange4media.com/56822_toi-launches-editions-in-agra-bareli-meerut-dehradun.html|title=TOI launches editions in Agra, Bareli, Meerut, Dehradun|author=Abid Hasan|date=5 August 2014|access-date=11 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806171004/http://www.exchange4media.com/56822_toi-launches-editions-in-agra-bareli-meerut-dehradun.html|archive-date=6 August 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the English language supplement HT City, Meerut with [[Hindustan Times]] is also published there. Moneymakers, an English daily is also published there. Asian Express, Hindi newspaper and news magazine Citizen of the World are also published there.

== Sports Industries ==
Meerut is one of the prominent Center in the country besides [[Jalandhar]] for the manufacture of sports goods.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/Bat-like-Meerut/articleshow/40067844.cms|title=Bat like Meerut - Times of India|website=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=3 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108043157/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/Bat-like-Meerut/articleshow/40067844.cms|archive-date=8 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> There are numerous sports companies in the city especially for cricket namely [[Sareen Sports Industries|SS]], SF, [[Sanspareils Greenlands|SG]], RM Sports, <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/business/business/rm-sports-set-to-enter-retail-space-with-26-outlets-across-india20211024135822|title=rm sports india|website=ani|access-date=31 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317154100/https://www.aninews.in/news/business/business/rm-sports-set-to-enter-retail-space-with-26-outlets-across-india20211024135822/|archivedate=17 March 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> BDM, GEM etc. Players like [[MS Dhoni]], [[Virender Sehwag]], [[Yuvraj Singh]], [[Kieron Pollard]], [[Virat Kohli]], [[Kumar Sangakkara]] and many others have used bats made in Meerut.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Sameen Husain|date=11 Aug 2014|title=Bat like Meerut {{!}} Meerut News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/Bat-like-Meerut/articleshow/40067844.cms|access-date=2 November 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> 40,000-capacity [[Kailash Prakash Stadium]] is located in Meerut.

==Tourist destinations==
[[File:Ashtapad Hastinapur.jpg|thumb|upright|Ashtapad Jain temple, Hastinapur NCR]]
[[File:Augarnath Temple at 2nd Navratri Night.jpg|upright|thumb|Augarnath Temple at 2nd Navratri night]]
[[File:Statue of Mangal Pandey at Shaheed Smarak Meerut.jpg|thumb|upright|Statue of Mangal Pandey at Martyr's Memorial]]
{{Cleanup list|section|date=June 2021}}
Tourist destinations in and around Meerut include:
* [[Digamber Jain Bada Mandir Hastinapur]] – Located on the banks of the old ravine of Ganges, Hastinapur NCR is considered one of the holiest places on earth by Jains. It is believed to be the birthplace of three Jain Tirthankaras. There are many ancient Jain temples in Hastinapur NCR. Shri Digamber Jain Mandir, Jambudweep, Kailash Parvat Rachna, Shwetambar Jain Temple are the main and famous temples in Hastinapur NCR. Apart from Jain temples, Pandeshwar temple, Historical Gurdwara and [[Hastinapur Sanctuary]] are worth being seen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hamarameerut.com/details.aspx?id=81|title=Hamarameerut.com|access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref>
* [https://meerut.nic.in/tourist-place/shaheed-smarak/ Government Freedom Struggle Museum and Shaheed Smarak] - Government Freedom Struggle Museum, Meerut was established in 1997. It is located in the Shaheed Smarak compound on Delhi Road, about 6 km north-east from the city railway station and at a distance of about 200 meters from the Delhi Bus Station. Visitors can stay in various guesthouses, private lodges and hotels. The Museum’s main aim is the collection, preservation, documentation and exhibition of cultural property and to make it available for educational activities as well as for creation of awareness about our glorious past.Some postal stamps, pictures, post cards, memorial coins related to the events of 1857 and latter coins are also in the collection of the museum. The museum is in the developing stages and efforts are being made to collect more specimens. The museum organises educational programs such as lectures, seminars and competitions related to history, culture, philosophy, the freedom struggle and religion. It also aims at coordinating with other cultural and educational organizations for disseminating Indian culture and particularly the events related to the long drawn freedom struggle of India. Museum Timings : 10:30 AM. to 4:30 PM. Open on all days except Monday, Sunday following 2nd Saturday of the month and public holidays.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shaheed Smarak Museum Information |url=https://meerut.nic.in/tourist-place/shaheed-smarak/ }}</ref>
* [[Shahi Jama Masjid]] – The Jama Masjid was built by Hasan Mahdi, [[Mahmud of Ghazni|Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi]]'s [[Vizier|Wazir]] (=Chief Minister) in 1019 AD (older than the [[Qutb Minar]]).<ref name=off/><ref name="imp265">{{Harvnb|The Imperial Gazetteer|1909|loc=[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V17_271.gif p. 265]}}</ref> It is considered the first [[Masjid]] in [[North India]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/north-india-s-first-mosque-going-strong-after-999-years/story-jPfLPas0NYQVTpLYE6YvIN.html|title=North India's first mosque going strong after 999 years|date=8 June 2018 }}</ref> Although it was restored by [[Humayun]],<ref name=off/><ref name="imp265"/> it is one of the oldest mosques in India. Some believe that the first North Indian Mosque is [[Qutb Minar complex|Quwwat/Qubbat ul Islam]] in Delhi and then [[Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra]] in Ajmer.
* [[St. John's Church (Meerut)|St. John's Church]] – This church was established by Chaplain the Reverend Henry Fisher on behalf of the [[East India Company]] in 1819 in the cantonment area and was completed in 1822.<ref name=off/><ref name="uptour2">{{cite web|url=http://www.up-tourism.com/valour.htm|title=The first war of Indian independence – Uttar Pradesh Tourism|archive-date=7 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007081637/http://www.up-tourism.com/valour.htm}}</ref> It is considered one of the oldest churches in North India. The Church was dedicated to the people by Bishop Wilson. It has a [[seating capacity]] of 10,000 people.<ref name=off/> During the war of 1857, this church was the scene of heavy fighting between Indians and the British forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india9.com/i9show/St-John's-Church-22539.htm|title=St John's Church|access-date=27 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214825/http://www.india9.com/i9show/St-John's-Church-22539.htm|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Kali Paltan Mandir|Augarnath Temple]] – This temple (also known as Kalipaltan Mandir locally) is located at the site where the soldiers of the war of 1857 planned their operations. The temple also houses a memorial built to honour the martyrs of the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]]. The old temple has been replaced by a modern version.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cbmeerut.org.in/heritage_sities.html |title=Cantonment Board Meerut Official Website – Heritage Sites |access-date=18 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202180144/http://cbmeerut.org.in/heritage_sities.html |archive-date=2 February 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Mansabiya Karbala]] – Mansabiya's Mosque and Karbala was built by Nawab Mansab Ali Khan in 1882.<ref name="jagran.com"/>
* [[Martyr's Memorial (Meerut)|Martyr's Memorial]] (''Shaheed Smarak''): The memorial is a {{convert|30|m|ft|abbr=off|lk=off}} high pillar of marble situated at Bhainsali. Functions are organised at the memorial around the [[Public holidays in India#National holidays|national holidays of India]].<ref name="mdat">{{cite web|url=http://www.mdameerut.org.in/Major_Attractions.aspx |title=Major Attractions |publisher=Meerut Development Authority |access-date=14 March 2012 |archive-date=12 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312000944/http://www.mdameerut.org.in/Major_Attractions.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> The memorial complex also houses the Government Freedom Struggle Museum which is dedicated to the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|first war of Indian independence]].<ref name="uptour"/>
[[File:An Entrance to Gandhi Bagh Meerut Cantt.jpg|right|thumb|An entrance to Gandhi Bagh]]
* [[Shahpeer's Mausoleum]] (''Shahpeer ki Dargah'') – This is a Mughal mausoleum erected by the empress [[Nur Jahan]] in 1628 in honour of a local Muslim Hazrat Shahpeer.<ref name="imp265"/><ref name=jps>{{cite web|title=Revised Draft Report – Volume 2 for Preparing a 'Master Plan for Development of Tourism in the U.P. NCR' |url=http://www.up-tourism.com/tender/revised_draft_report_volume_II.pdf |author=JPS Associates |publisher=Uttar Pradesh Tourism |access-date=15 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624193627/http://www.up-tourism.com/tender/revised_draft_report_volume_II.pdf |archive-date=24 June 2013 }}</ref> It is a red stone structure that was partly built and is incomplete till date.<ref name=jps/> The tomb is adorned by intricate Nakkashi (stone painting). There is no roof on the main tomb. It is said{{who|date=March 2011}} that Shahpeer was the teacher of Mughal Emperor [[Jehangir]]. The tomb is listed by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] as a national heritage monument.<ref name="uptour">{{cite web|url=http://www.up-tourism.com/destination/meerut/places_of_interest.htm |title=Places of interest – Meerut – Uttar Pradesh tourism |access-date=14 March 2012 |archive-date=9 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309155410/http://www.up-tourism.com/destination/meerut/places_of_interest.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=asi>{{cite web|title=List of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains of Agra|url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_alphalist_uttarpradesh_agra.asp|publisher=[[Archaeological Survey of India]]|access-date=25 March 2011|page=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721180402/http://www.asi.nic.in/asi_monu_alphalist_uttarpradesh_agra.asp|archive-date=21 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Parikshitgarh Fort]] – The place is associated with and derives its name from King Parikshit of Hastinapur NCR (the grandson of Arjuna). The fort was built by Parikshit and restored by [[Gurjar]] [[Raja Nain Singh]] in the eighteenth century.<ref name="Homepage"/><ref name="off"/>
* [[Dargah of Baley Miyan]] (''Bale Miyan ki Dargah'') – This dargah was built by [[Qutb-ud-din Aybak]] in 1194 in the memory of [[Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masud]] (known locally as Baley Miyan).<ref name=off/><ref>{{cite book|title=The foundations of the composite culture in India|author=Malika Mohammada|year=2007|publisher=Aakar Books|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dwzbYvQszf4C|isbn=978-81-89833-18-3|page=219|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103040834/http://books.google.com/books?id=dwzbYvQszf4C|archive-date=3 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> An ''urs'' is organised annually at the Dargah during the Nauchandi fair.<ref name=off/> It is adjacent to the Chandi Devi Mandir, which signifies the [[Hindu-Muslim unity]].

Other places of interest include Mansa Devi Temple, Baleni, [[Basilica of Our Lady of Graces]], [[Sardhana]] and the Chandi Devi Temple which was built by [[Holkar]] queen [[Ahilyabai Holkar|Devi Ahiliyabai Holkar]].<ref name="off"/><ref name="mdat"/>

==Notable people==

===Indian Rebellion of 1857===

*[[Dhan Singh Gurjar]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://livehindustan.com/uttar-pradesh/meerut/story-up-police-will-learn-the-history-of-dhansingh-kotwal-2049684.html|title=Up police will learn the history of dhansingh kotwal, Meerut Hindi News - Hindustan|access-date=18 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804140420/https://www.livehindustan.com/uttar-pradesh/meerut/story-up-police-will-learn-the-history-of-dhansingh-kotwal-2049684.html|archive-date=4 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Kadam Singh]], leader of a group of [[Gurjar]]s who fought against the [[British East India Company]] during the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]]<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9DU5AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA131 |title=The Peasant and the Raj: Studies in Agrarian Society and Peasant Rebellion in Colonial India |first=Eric |last=Stokes |author-link=Eric Thomas Stokes |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1980 |isbn=978-0-52129-770-7 |page=131 |access-date=20 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621070102/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=9DU5AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA131 |archive-date=21 June 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Films and music ===


*[[Deepti Bhatnagar]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Deepti Bhatnagar - Movies, Biography, News, Age & Photos|url=https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/deepti-bhatnagar/1049789|access-date=22 June 2020|website=BookMyShow}}</ref>
*[[Bharat Bhushan]]
*[[Ayananka Bose]]
*[[Arun Govil]]
*[[Achint Kaur]]
*[[Kailash Kher]]
*[[Mitakshara Kumar]]
*[[Popular Meeruthi]]
*[[Chitrangada Singh]]
*[[Sanjeev Tyagi]]

===Kings and monarchs===

*[[Nain Singh Nagar]], king of Meerut district in the 18th century{{citation needed|date=October 2018}}

*[[Maharaja Surajmal]], meerut was under his kingdom during 17th century.

===Politics===


* [[Rajendra Agrawal]], Member of Parliament, for Meerut<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rajendra Agrawal {{!}} National Portal of India|url=https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/rajendra-agrawal|access-date=17 June 2020|website=www.india.gov.in}}</ref>
*[[Mohammed Shahid Akhlaq]]
* Dr. [[Laxmikant Bajpai]], Former State President, BJP, Uttar Pradesh.
*[[Ravindra Kumar Bhadana]], politician<ref>{{cite news|title=2012 Election Results|publisher= Election Commission of India website}}</ref>
*[[Hemlata Chaudhary]], politician<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.in/uttar-pradesh/assembly-constituencies/baghpat.html|title=Baghpat Assembly Constituency Election Result 2022 - Candidates, MLAs, Live Updates & News|access-date=20 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820235226/http://www.elections.in/uttar-pradesh/assembly-constituencies/baghpat.html|archive-date=20 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Lakhi Ram Nagar]], businessman and politician<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/Arrest-warrant-against-UP-Minister/article14809322.ece|title=Arrest warrant against UP Minister - OTHER STATES - the Hindu|access-date=15 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629065453/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/Arrest-warrant-against-UP-Minister/article14809322.ece|archive-date=29 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Malook Nagar]], businessman and politician<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/greater-noida-bjp-s-tejpal-singh-nagar-wins-the-battle-of-the-gujjars-in-dadri/story-SXv2Jy7lca1LXFFbVhLKrL.html|title=Greater Noida: BJP's Tejpal Singh Nagar wins the battle of the Gujjars in Dadri | noida | Hindustan Times|access-date=15 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807185929/https://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/greater-noida-bjp-s-tejpal-singh-nagar-wins-the-battle-of-the-gujjars-in-dadri/story-SXv2Jy7lca1LXFFbVhLKrL.html|archive-date=7 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Rubab Sayda]]
*[[Yashwant Singh (Lok Sabha member)|Yashwant Singh]]
*[[Somendra Tomar]], [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of the Legislative Assembly]] for Meerut South
*[[Vijaypal Singh Tomar]]
*[[Seema Upadhyay]]

===Sports===


*[[Vivek Agarwal]], cricketer
*[[Mohd Asab]], shooter
*[[Manu Attri]], badminton player
*[[Shapath Bharadwaj]], shooter
*[[Garima Chaudhary]], judoka
*[[Saurabh Chaudhary]], shooter<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 February 2019|title=Asian Games 2018: Who is shooter Saurabh Chaudhary?|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/asian-games/who-is-saurabh-chaudhary-asian-games-2018-gold-medal-5317213/|access-date=17 June 2020|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>
*[[Dharampal Singh Gudha]], oldest Gurjar athlete<ref>{{cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/videos/meet-116-years-old-dharampal-singh-gujjarworlds-oldest-athlete_1473477.html|title=Meet 116 years old Dharampal Singh Gujjar,world's oldest athlete | News|access-date=15 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815232834/http://zeenews.india.com/news/videos/meet-116-years-old-dharampal-singh-gujjarworlds-oldest-athlete_1473477.html|archive-date=15 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Praveen Gupta]], cricketer
*[[Romeo James]], field hockey player
*[[Paramjeet Kaur]], athlete
*[[Muzzaffaruddin Khalid]], cricketer
*[[Ashok Kumar]], field hockey player
*[[Bhuvneshwar Kumar]], cricketer
*[[Praveen Kumar]], cricketer
*[[Raman Lamba]], cricketer
*[[Shivam Mavi]], cricketer<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/604757|title=International Cricket Council|access-date=19 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140556/https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/604757|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Arvind Panwar]], cyclist
*[[Annu Rani]], athlete
*[[Sameer Rizvi]], cricketer
*[[Shahzar Rizvi]], shooter
*[[Karn Sharma]], cricketer
*[[Umang Sharma]], cricketer
*[[Mohinder Pal Singh]], field hockey player
*[[Parvinder Singh]], cricketer
*[[Shardul Vihan]], sport shooter

===Scholars===


*Sir [[Ziauddin Ahmed]], academic and parliamentarian
*[[Satish Chandra (historian)|Satish Chandra]], Indian historian
*[[Anu Garg]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Garg, Anu 1967|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/garg-anu-1967|access-date=25 June 2020|website=[[Encyclopedia.com]]}}</ref> educationist and author
*[[K. P. S. Mahalwar]], legal educationist and administrator
*[[Zayn al-Abidin Sajjad Meerthi]], Indian Islamic scholar and historian
*[[Muhammad Abdul Aleem Siddiqi|Sheikh Abdul Aleem Siddiqui Qadri Meerathi]], Islamic scholar and writer
*[[Manu Prakash]], scientist and MacArthur Fellowship awardee

==See also==
* [[2006 Meerut fire]]
* [[Meerut (Lok Sabha constituency)]]
* [[Hapur (Assembly constituency)]]
* [[Kithore (Assembly constituency)]]
* [[Meerut (Assembly constituency)]]
* [[Meerut Cantonment (Assembly constituency)]]
* [[Meerut South (Assembly constituency)]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

=== Sources ===
*{{cite web|ref={{harvid|CDP|2006}} |title=City Development Plan Final Report - Consultancy Services for preparation of the City Development Plan(CDP) for Meerut in the state of Uttar Pradesh under JNNURM |url=http://www.jnnurm.nic.in/nurmudweb/toolkit/CDP_Meerut.pdf |publisher=Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India |access-date=30 September 2012 |date=August 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031161415/http://jnnurm.nic.in/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/CDP_Meerut.pdf |archive-date=31 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}
*{{cite web|ref={{harvid|CMP}}|url=http://meerut.nic.in/UMTS/projectsummary.pdf|title=Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Meerut City|author=Urban Mass Transit Company Ltd.|publisher=meerut.nic.in}}
*{{cite book| ref = {{harvid|The_Imperial_Gazetteer|1909}}|title=The Imperial Gazetteer of India|year=1909|volume=[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/toc.html?volume=17 17]|publisher=[[Clarendon Press]]|place=[[Oxford]], UK|title-link=The Imperial Gazetteer of India}}

==Further reading==
* ''Service and Adventure with the Khakee Ressalah; Or, Meerut Volunteer Horse, During the Mutinies of 1857–58'', by Robert Henry Wallace Dunlop, Pub. R. Bentley, 1858.
* ''[https://archive.org/stream/chaplainsnarrat00rottgoog#page/n4/mode/1up The Chaplain's Narrative of the Siege of Delhi: From the Outbreak at Meerut to the Capture of Delhi]'', by John Edward Wharton Rotton. Pub. Smith, Elder, 1858.
* {{cite book|last=Nevill|first=Henry Riven |title=Meerut: A District Gazetteers of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, Vol. 4|url=https://archive.org/stream/districtgazette00indgoog#page/n5/mode/1up|year=1904|publisher=Government Press}}
* ''The Mutiny Outbreak at Meerut in 1857'', by Julian Arthur Beaufort Palmer. Cambridge University Press, 1966. {{ISBN|0-521-05901-1}}.
* ''Mutiny in Meerut'', by Vivian Stuart. Aidan Ellis Publishing, 1991. {{ISBN|0-85628-210-3}}.
* ''Flashman in the Great Game'', by George MacDonald Fraser, 1975.

==External links==

* [http://www.npsin.in/place/Mahadeo Old Village Mahadeo]
* {{Official website|http://meerut.nic.in}}
* [http://meerutmuseum.com Government Freedom Struggle Museum, Meerut]
* [http://www.emeerut.com Meerut City Portal]
*[https://jatpedia.gadgetsark.com/index.php?title=Meerut Meerut] - [[Jatpedia]]

{{Million-plus cities in India}}
{{Meerut district}}
{{Meerut division topics}}
{{Uttar Pradesh}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Meerut| ]]
[[Category:Metropolitan cities in India]]
[[Category:Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2001]]
[[Category:All articles containing potentially dated statements]]
[[Category:Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2009]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Meerut district]]
[[Category:Cities in Uttar Pradesh]]

Sardhana

2023-08-18T13:29:09Z

2402:8100:257B:85D6:0:0:DD6F:28F4: /* External links */

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Sardhana
| settlement_type = city
| pushpin_map = India Uttar Pradesh
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Uttar Pradesh, India
| coordinates = {{coord|29.145|N|77.610|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flagu|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Meerut district|Meerut]]
| leader_title = [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]]
| leader_name = Sangeet Singh Som <ref>[https://www.ndtv.com/elections/uttar-pradesh/sardhana-mla-results "Sardhana MLA"]</ref>
| unit_pref = Metric
| elevation_m = 226
| population_total = 58490
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi language|Hindi]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
}}
'''Sardhana''' is a city and a [[municipal board]] in [[Meerut district]] in the Indian state of [[Uttar Pradesh]]. It is {{convert|85|km|0|abbr=on}} northeast of [[New Delhi]] and 13 mi from [[Meerut]]. It is 5 km from Meerut Karnal National Highway and 12 km from National Highway 58. It is famous for its cloth and timber industries, and its church.

== History ==
Being close to [[Hastinapur]], which is also in [[Meerut district]], the capital of [[Kauravas]] of [[Mahabharata]], Sardhana is also known for the ancient Mahadev Temple that is believed to be dating from the [[Mahabharata]] period. It was here that the [[Pandavas]] prayed before leaving for the Lakshagrah, the notorious palace made of [[lac]] by [[Duryodhana]], at the confluence of the [[Hindon River|Hindon]] and Krishna rivers (Kali River, ''Kali Nadi''). This palace was located at ''Varnavrat'', the present [[Barnava]], where the prince resided with their mother [[Kunti]].<ref>[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Features/ET_Travel/Epic_Proportion_Sardhana/rssarticleshow/2841161.cms Epic Proportion: Sardhana - There’s more to Sardhana than the church..] [[The Economic Times]], 6 March 2008.</ref>

In the 19th century, Sardhana was the capital of the [[Begum Samru]], born as Farzana Zebunisa in 1751, and considered to be the only [[Catholic]] ruler in India. She married in her early teens, a [[mercenary soldier]] [[Walter Reinhardt Sombre]] of [[Luxembourg]], who was operating in India. Samru is but a mispronunciation of his surname Sombre. On his death in 1778 she succeeded to the command of his mercenary troops, and subsequently converted to [[Catholicism]]<ref name="enc">{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Sardhana|volume=24|page=210}}.</ref> in 1781, under the name Johanna.<ref name="Gazetteer">''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', v. 22, p. 105, Oxford, 1908. Retrieved from [https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/text.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V22_111.gif here]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080830020225/http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/31/stories/2007083154720600.htm Sardhana to find a new place on tourism map] by Atiq Khan. [[The Hindu]], 31 August 2007.</ref>

During her lifetime she supported financially many charitable and religious institutions.<ref name=enc/> She also obtained from the [[Holy See]], the promotion of Father Giulio Cesare, one of the members of the Agra Mission, to the [[Bishop|episcopal]] dignity, and later [[Pope Gregory XVI]] wrote to her, and sent her tokens of his paternal [[approbation]].<ref>[[s:Catholic Encyclopedia (1913)/Agra|Catholic Encyclopedia (1913)/Agra]] [[wikisource]].</ref> The church she built in 1822, became a [[cathedral]] for a short time, with its own bishop. The Bishop's Palace has become a girls school. Her original palace has now become a seminary for training priests. The New Palace has become the boys school. In December 1961, [[Pope John XXIII]] conferred the dignity of [[Minor Basilica]] to the church, now known as [[Basilica of Our Lady of Graces]]. This dignity is given only on churches that are both beautiful and historically famous.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20071111/spectrum/main5.htm Church that Begum Samru built] [[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]], 11 November 2007.</ref>

[[File:Amjad Ali Shah.jpg|left|thumb|Amjad Ali Shah and his advisers]]
It was also ruled by the [[Nawab of Sardhana]], Syed Amjad Ali Shah], a grandson of Nawab [[Jan Fishan Khan]], chief of the [[Paghman]] tribe, who came to India in 1842 after Begum Samru died. Amjad Ali Shah's son, [[Sirdar Ikbal Ali Shah]], was born there. [[Sirdar Ikbal Ali Shah]] was the father of the Sufi teacher and writer [[Idries Shah]].

In 1901, it was the headquarters of a ''[[Tehsil]]'', by the same name, in [[Meerut district]], [[United Provinces of Agra and Oudh]], and had a population of 12,467.<ref name="Gazetteer"/>

== Demographics ==
[[File:Interior of the Sardhana Catholic Church, Sardhana.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Interior of the 'Basilica of Our Lady of Graces', Sardhana.]]
{{As of|2001}} India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Sardhana had a population of 47,970. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Sardhana has an average literacy rate of 48%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 55%, and female literacy is 40%. In Sardhana, 18% of the population is under 6 years of age.

The main communities in sardhana are [[Brahmins]], [[Rajput]], [[Gurjar]], [[Jainism|Jains]], [[Jat people|Jats]], [[Tyagi]]s, and [[Muslims]].

==Mahapanchayat==
There is called a mahapanchayat (great council) of 40 villages on 29 September 2013 to protest against the [[Uttar Pradesh]] government charging the local [[BJP]] MLA [[Sangeet Singh Som]] under the stringent [[National Security Act (India)|National Security Act]] AT KHERA. The crowd becomes violent when the police began to brandish sticks. The situation turned tense when a rumour spread that a youth injured in police action had died. Crowd set fire police jeeps and other vehicles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-30/india/42534627_1_police-clashes-police-action-mahapanchayat|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003024713/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-30/india/42534627_1_police-clashes-police-action-mahapanchayat|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 October 2013|title=20 injured in police clashes over Meerut mahapanchayat|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=30 September 2013 }}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.npsin.in/place/Mahadeo Nearest Old Village Mahadeo]
* [http://www.sardhana.org.uk/ Sardhana Project]
* [http://sardhana.tripod.com/ Sardhan History and Genealogy]
* [http://www.sardhanachurch.org/ Sardhan Church]
* [https://jatland.gadgetsark.com/index.php?title=Sardhana Sardhana] - [[Jatland Wiki]]
*[https://jatpedia.gadgetsark.com/index.php?title=Sardhana Sardhana] - [[Jatpedia]]
{{Meerut district}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Meerut district]]
[[Category:Princely states of India]]