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Coordinates: 28.99° N 77.70° E

Meerut
Meerut
State  - District(s)	Uttar Pradesh  - Meerut
Coordinates	28.99° N 77.70° E
Area  - Elevation	2564 (of district) km²  - 225 m
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Population (2001)  - Density	1,167,399  - 419/km²
Mayor
Codes  - Postal  - Telephone  - Vehicle	- 2500xx  - +0121  - UP-15
Website: http://meerut.nic.in/

Meerut(Hindi: मेरठ, Urdu: میرٹھ)IPA: pronunciation (help·info) is an ancient city located 72km (44 miles) north-east of New Delhi in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Meerut also has one of the major army garrisons/cantonments in this part of the country. Meerut can also refer to the district in which Meerut is located.

Contents 1 Name Etymology 2 History 3 Geography 4 Climate 5 Economy 6 Civic Administration 7 Transport 8 Utility Services 9 Demographics 10 People and Culture 11 Media 12 Education 13 Sports 14 Mythological significance 15 Trivia 16 See Also 17 External links

Ravana's wife Mandodari (in Ramayana) hailed from Meerut. The town may have derived its name from "Maya Rashtra", the capital of the kingdom owned by Mandodari's father Mayadanava.

Meerut is famously associated with the Indian Rebellion of 1857 against the British East India Company when chants of popular Hindi-Urdu slogan "Dilli Chalo" (दिल्ली चलो چلو دہلی lets march to Delhi) were first raised here. Meerut cantonment is the place where the revolution started when Hindu and Muslim soldiers were given rifle cartridges with a coating made of animal fat. The bullet wrapping was to be opened by mouth before use, which affected religious sensibilities of both Muslims and Hindus as the animal coating was alleged to be composed of pork and beef.

Meerut was also the place of severe religious strife between Hindus and Muslims in 1987. The city was afflicted with more communal violence in the late 80s and early 90s. Things have somewhat calmed down since the early 90s and there have been no major communal skirmishes between Hindus and Muslims for over a decade now.

Meerut is also believed to have been an important centre of Buddhism during the time of Ashoka. This and the fact that Meerut was inhabited in very ancient times is attested by one of the pillars of Ashoka, that now stands at the ridge at Delhi. The pillar inscription states that the pillar was removed from Meerut to Delhi by Firuz Shah Tughluq in 1206 A.D. It is believed that the pillar was built by the great Buddhist emperor in 3rd century BC.

City young graduates are also contributing to Indian IT industry boom. Many of the graduates from the city are working for the topmost companies around the world.

• Timur in Meerut

In 1398 AD Timur made a ferocious attack on Bharat (India) with 92,000 horsemen. On receiving the news of Timur's total and open looting and destruction, in Vikram Samvat 1455 (1398 AD), kartick badi 5, Raja Devpala (who was born in the village of Nirpradha, District Meerut in a Jat family), who was in charge of the of the Haryana Sarv Khap Panchayat, called a Mahapanchayat in the jungles in the middle of the villages of Tikri, Doghat, and Daha.

The chief committee passed the following resolutions: -

1. All villages would be emptied.
2. The elders and women, and children would be taken to safe places
3. All able-bodied men would join the army of the SarvKhap
4. The young women would also take up arms like the men.
5. The army of Timur, which was advancing from Delhi to Haridwar, would be fought with Guerilla warfare, and the water in his way would be poisoned.
6. 500 young horsemen would follow Timur and report his whereabouts to the SarvKhap army

The Panchayat Army: Under the flag of the Panchayat, 80,000 warrior soldiers (Mulls) and 40,000 young women joined together. These heroes also handled all the arrangements of the war materiel. From hundreds of miles around Delhi Heroic warriors came to the battlefield ready to sacrifice their lives. All the young men and women took up arms. Dharampal Dev a Jat warrior, who was 95 years old, played a great part in gathering together this army. He travelled day and night on horseback to encourage men and women and gather the army. His brother Karan Pal helped arrange money, grain, and clothing for the army.

The choosing of the Supreme General, the deputy general and the other generals.

In this endeavour of the Sarv Khap, the hero warrior Jograj Singh Gujar was chosen Supreme General. He was of the Clan Khubar Parmar, and hailed from a village near Haridwar called Kunja. Later this Village was uprooted and destroyed by the Mughals. The clan of the Hero Jograj Singh escaped from this village and reached Lundora, Detract of Saharanpur, where they settled. Here they established the Lundora Gujar Kingdom. Jograj Singh was a celibate and renowned wrestler. He was 7 feet, 9 inches tall, and weighed 8 maunds. His daily diet was four seers of grain, 5 seers of vegetables and fruit, one seer of cows' s ghee (Clarified butter) and 20 seers of Cows milk. (Approximately: 1 seer = I kilogram, I maund + 40 seers = 40 kilograms).(citation needed)

The general chosen from among the heroic maidens were 1) Rampiari Gujar, 2) Hardai Jat, 2) DeviKaur Rajput, 3) Chandro Brahmin, and 4) Ramdai Tyagi. All of them took a vow to lay down their lives in defence of their nation.

Deputy Generals - 1) Dhula Bhangi ( Valmiki), and (2) Harbir Singh Gulia Jat, were chosen.

Dhula Bhangi was a resident of the Village of Hansi, near Hissar. He was a strong and powerful brave warrior. An expert in guerilla warfare, a great raider, his weight was 53 Dharis (I dhari = 5 seer. Approx. 160 kilograms). On being chosen as Deputy general, he gave a speech, " In my life I have made many raids your giving me respect has made my blood boil. I take a vow before all the warriors, that I will spill my blood for the defence of my nation, and will not let the pure flag of the SarvKhap be lowered. I have taken part in many wars, and will sacrifice my life in this one". Having said this he took some blood from his hip, and sprinkled it at the feet of the supreme general. He then unsheathed his sword and said" This will drink the blood of the enemy and will not go back to its sheath." Hearing the speech of this heroic warrior, a wave of enthusiasm and courage ran through the army of the Panchayat, and every cried out slogans of the motherland.

The second deputy general was Harbir Singh Jat, of the Gulia Clan. He was from the village Badli, district Rohtak I Haryana He was 22 years old, and weighed 53 Dharis (approx. 160 kilograms). He was strong and brave warrior,

The names of the generals were 1) Gaje Singh Jat Gatwala, 2) Tuhiram Rajput, 3) Nedha Rawa, 4) Sarju Brahmin, 5) Umra Taga (Tyagi), and 6) Durjanpal Ahir.

The deputy generals chosen were 1) Kundan Jat, 2) Dhari Gadariya, who was a Dhari, 3) Bhondhu Saini, 4) Hulla Nai ( barber),5) Bhana Julaha (dhanak) 6) Aman Singh Pundir ,rajput 7) Nathu Pardar, rajput 8) Dhulla ( Dhandi) Jat, who would lead raids from Hissar, to Dadri, to Multan.9) Mamchand Gujar 10) Phalwa Kahaar.

Assistant generals. 20 assistant's generals were chosen from the various jatis (castes).

The hero Bard: the Eminent Scholar Poet Chandrabhutt (Bhat) as chosen as the official Bard. He wrote an eye witness account of the war with Timur.

• • Some excerpts from the speech of the supreme general Jograj Singh

' Viroh (Heroes), reflect on the sermon given by Lord Krishna to Arjun in the Gita. For us the door t heaven (moksha) has been opened. That moksha, which the Rishi Munis achieve by doing Yoga, the hero warriors achieve by sacrificing their lives on the battlefield. Save the nation, that is- sacrifice yourselves, the world will honour you. You have chosen me leader. To my last breath I will not withdraw. I salute the Panchayat, and take oath that until my last breath I will defend the soil of Bharat. Our nation has been shaken by the crimes and attacks of Timur. Warriors arise and do not delay. Fight the enemy army and throw them out of the nation."

On hearing this speech a wave of heroism ran through the assembly. 80, 000 warriors and 40,000 maiden warriors kissed their swords and took an oath, ' O General, while we breathe we will obey your orders, and sacrifice our lives for our country'.

The Troops. - the Panchayat Army, spread out from Delhi, to Meerut, Muzzafarnagar, Saharanpur, and Haridwar. On reaching these places they tangled with the armies of Timur, and using Guerilla warfare, they did not them sit still. The enemy army had to escape by the route of the hills and the enemy was chased up to Ambala, and expelled out from the land of Haryana.

• • The Battle of Delhi

At the time that Timur was looting Delhi, and putting the population to the sword.

20,000 warriors of the Panchayat army, made a surprise attack on the 52,000 strong army of Timur in the middle of the night, and killed 9,000 of them, and let their corpses be swept away in the river Yamuna. As soon as dawn came these heroic soldiers of the Panchayat returned to outside the city walls. The battle carried on like this for three days.

Timur Lung got frustrated , left Delhi and advanced toward Meerut.

• • The Battle of Meerut

Timur, with his numerous and powerful army, with much weaponry, advanced towards Meerut. In this land, Timur's army was given no space to breathe. The battles continued all through the day. Wherever the Army of Timur would stop for the night, the Panchayat army would attack, and uproot them. The heroic Devis (goddesses- women) would deliver food and war material to their soldiers wherever they were. The warrior maidens would attack and loot the supplies of the enemy. The 500 horsemen were doing their duty by keeping everyone together and bearing information.

As supplies were not reaching them, the army of Timur started to go hungry. Whichever village came in its path would be destroyed.

Becoming frustrated Timur advanced towards Haridwar.

• • The Battle of Haridwar

Beyond Meerut, to Muzzafarnagar and Saharanpur, the Panchayat armies fought fiercely with Timur and did not let his army take hold (grip). The Supreme General,. the Deputy Generals and the Generals were handling their armies well. The army of Timur reached Tuglakpur- Pathrigarh, which is 5 Kos south of Haridwar.

In this land the army of the Panchayat fought three major battles with the army of Timur.

The Deputy Commander Harbir Singh Gulia, along with 25,000 warriors of the Panchayat army, made a fierce attack on a big group of Timur's horsemen, and a fierce battle ensued where arrows and spears were used (There over2, 000 hill archers joined the Panchayat Army. One arrow pierced Timur's hand.). Timur was in the army of horsemen. Harbir Singh Gulia charged ahead like a lion, and hit Timur on his chest with a spear, and he was about to fall under his horse, when his commander Khijra, saved him and separated him from the horse. (Timur eventually died from this wound when he reached Samarkhand). The spearmen and swordsmen of the enemy leapt on the Harbir Singh Gulia, and he fainted from the wounds he received and fell.

1. At that very time, the Supreme Commander Jograj Singh Gujar, with 22,000 Mulls (warriors) attacked the enemy and killed 5000 horsemen. Jograj Singh himself with his own hands lifted the unconscious Harbir Singh and brought him to the camp. But a few hours later, the hero warrior Harbir Singh achieved martyrdom. Jograj Singh suffered a big blow from the martyrdom of the warrior.
2. In the Jungles of Haridwar, the guard of Timur, made up of 2805 soldiers was attacked by the Deputy commander, warrior Dhula Dhardi and 190 soldiers. The killed many enemy soldiers and all 190 soldiers achieved martyrdom.
3. In the third battle the Supreme Commander Jograj Singh and his heroic warriors fiercely attacked the army of Timur and forced him to flee towards Ambala. In this battle the hero Jograj Singh suffered 45 wounds but he kept his senses. The heroic warriors of the Panchayat army did not let Timur's army reach the Banks of the holy Ganga (Har Ki Pauri).

Timur fled towards Ambala by way of the Hills. This fleeing army of Timur was chased up to Ambala by the army of the Panchayat, and expelled from their nation of Haryana.

The heroic warrior Durjanpal Ahir achieved his place in heaven in the battle of Meerut, at Delhi Gate, with 200 of his soldiers.

In these battles the generals who were wounded or killed would be replaced. One warrior Rajput of the Kachwaha Clan took over the post of Deputy Commander. One Rawa and one Saini took up the post of Senapati (general). Only 5 senapatis (generals) survived this war, the rest achieved martyrdom.

In these battles of the 250,000 soldiers of Timur, our warriors sent 160,000 to the banks of river of death, and the dreams of Timur were swept away. (The information available above needs a citation)

S.No. Item Units Duration Value

1.GEOGRAPHICAL AREA SQUARE KM 1999 2564.00

2.POPULATION MALE IN THOUSAND 1991 1301.26

FEMALE IN THOUSAND 1991 1116.26

TOTAL IN THOUSAND 1991 2417.51

CLIMATE

GENERAL RAINFALL MM 2000 768

ACTUAL RAINFALL MM 2000 719

MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE °C 2000 41.6

MINIMUM TEMPERATURE °C 2000 0.4

• Business

Meerut has seen a boom in its construction business for the past decade and the city is now aflush with new high rise shopping complexes, apartment buildings and businesses. Meerut is the largest manufacturer of Musical Instruments in India and is also one of the largest suppliers of sports goods. Meerut is one of the foremost Centres of Sports Good Manufacturing in India and is most famous for its Cricket Gear. Also in recent times some major Pharmaceutical houses have also begun here and Meerut also boasts of at least 2 WHO-GMP certified Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plants (Perk Pharmaceuticals Limited and Win-Medicare) in Northern India.

In Electronic and Telecommunication products; 'Accord Comunications Ltd ' ,'PEP Infotech Ltd' are the pioneer organization which produce many Telecommunication related devices for export to several western and eastern countries.

• Industry

According to new industrial policy of Government of India , district industries centre Meerut was established in 1979 to speedup industrial development. The DIC was started as this infrastructure.

General Manager, District Industries Centre

   * Technical Officer
   * Manager (Technical)
   * Manager (Hathkargha)
   * Manager (Khadi & Gramoudyog)
   * Manager (Marketing and Economic Survey)
   * Asstt. Accounts Officer
   * Assistant Managers
   * Statistical Assistant
   * Investigators
   * & Other Employees.

To provide latest information to the beneficiaries this centre was computerised in 1997-98 among the 10 districts selected in the first phase in Uttar Pradesh. Also dialup connectivity provided by the National Informatics Centre, Meerut Unit. From July-2000 the internet facility is also provided to this centre.

Main Schemes Running at District Industries Centre, Meerut

                   * Eakul Mej Vayvastha
                   * Prime Minister Rozgar Yojna
                   * Udhmita Vikas Prashikhan Karyakram
                   * Zila Stariya Udyog Bandhu
                   * Niryat Protsahan
                   * Laghu Udyog Adhunikikarn Yojna
                   * Rugn Evam Bimar Ekaiyon ka Punarvasan
                   * Prakirya Saha Uthapadan Vikas Kendra
                   * Hastshilp Udyog
                   * Laghu Udyog Poshan ki Karya Yojna

Main Industrial Area of Meerut District

                   * Major Industrial Area, Partapur

Major Industrial Area was established at Partapur, Meerut over 40 acre of land. The 86 plots and 31 shades were developed there , All are allotted now and various units are working there.

                   * Industrial Area

This industrial area was also setup near to major industrial area Partapur, having 32 Plots/Shades, various units are working there.

                   * Sports Goods Complex

Sports Goods Complex was established on Delhi road, Meerut on 5.04 hectare area. There are 51 plots, all are allotted and various sports goods units are working there.

Main Industries of District Meerut

  1. Major Industries

               There are 36 units in the district those comes under major & medium scale industries, they are located in the area like

       * Delhi Road  ,Kankerkhera, Sadar Bazar, Modipuram, Daurala, Mawana, Partapur, Baghpat Road and Dhirkhera etc.

           They produces

               * Alchohal
               * Straw Board
               * Transformers
               * Automobiles  
               * Tyre Tubes
               * Cotton Yarn     
               * Sugar
               * Chemicals
               * Milk Products
               * Paper etc.

   2. Small Industries

       In this category ,15000 units are working at Meerut, those produces

               * Electrical Equipments
               * Flour, Suji Etc.
               * Eatable Items.
               * Sports Goods
               * Electronics Items
               * Engineering Items etc.

Meerut City is also the headquarters of Meerut district which consists of 1025 villages with a population of around (3.44 million) according to the 1991 census. The majority of the population of Meerut District is Hindu with a substantial Muslim population. In a way, the city of Meerut is composed of almost equal population of Hindus and Muslims. Meerut is the oldest military cantt of India. The cantt is scattered and not concentrated in one place. According to Census 1991, the area of Meerut district is 3911 km², where rural area is 3665.73 km² and Urban Area is 245.27 Sq. km.

 District     Male     Female     Total

 Urban        681209       595348     1276557

 Rural        1180533      990822     2171355

Total District 1861742 1586170 3447912

Meerut is becoming a big education hub in Western U.P. Students from all over U.P and other states come to Meerut to study BSc, MSc, BCA, MCA, MBBS, BDS, MBA, B.Ed and B.Tech courses. Meerut is having a large number of government & private institutes providing education in these fields.

EDUCATION

PRIMARY SCHOOLS NUMBER 2000-01 1580

JUNIOR SCHOOLS NUMBER 2000-01 585

HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS NUMBER 2000-01 243

DEGREE COLLEGES NUMBER 2000-01 21

UNIVERSITY NUMBER 2000-01 1

INDUSTRIAL TRAINING INSTITUTE NUMBER 2000-01 2

POLYTECHNICS NUMBER 2000-01 2

ENGINEERING COLLEGE NUMBER 2000-01 1

• Lakshyagrah (home of lac) described in Mahabharata & mdash; designed in conspiracy to burn Pandavas alive by Kauravas & mdash; was situated here.
• Shravan Kumaar carried his parents on his shoulders to all the pilgrims in INDIA, but it is believed that when he passed through Meerut, he was filled with evil feelings and put down his parents for some time saying that he is thirsty and needs some rest.

• On December 21, 2005, Meerut gained notoriety when a video showing police officers physically abusing men and women (Yahoo News) as part of Operation Romeo surfaced in the national media. This so called 'operation', specifically targeted young couples out on a date, ostensibly to "prevent the sexual harassment of women".
• Mall Road is a wide road in Meerut near what was originally a British Military cantonment. Raghbir Sarang was known to have raced horse Buggies on this road and was whipped for having beaten up an Englishman.
• In 1940s Meerut movie theatres had a "Don't Move" policy during playing of British national anthem. Violators were beaten up by British soldiers.
• Meerut is famous for its sweets especially Gazaks and Rewri.
• In 2006 a fire in Meerut killed over 225 people at a consumer electronics fair, held in Victoria park stadium.This was followed by fire at Multiplex Cinema named as PVS Mall.

• Indian Rebellion of 1857
• 2006 Meerut fire

• Official Meerut district site

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Major cities	Agra • Allahabad • Kanpur • Lucknow • Meerut • Varanasi •

Nanakchand Anglo Sanskrit college Meerut