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The [[Battle of Aligarh]] was fought on 1 September 1803 during the [[Second Anglo-Maratha War]] (1803–1805) at [[Aligarh Fort]]. The British [[76th Regiment of Foot|76th Regiment]], now known as the [[The Duke of Wellington's Regiment|Duke of Wellington's Regiment]] besieged the fort, which was under the control of the French officer [[Pierre Cuillier-Perron|Perron]], and established British rule. In 1804, the Aligarh district was formed by the union of the second, third and fourth British divisions with the addition of Anupshahr from Muradabad and Sikandra Rao from Etawa. On 1 August 1804, [[Claude Russell]] was appointed the first Collector of the new district.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=O54IAAAAQAAJ&dq=aligarh+russell&as_brr=1&pg=PA348&ci=131,1035,783,115&source=bookclip |title=DESCRIPTIVE AND HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE ALIGARH DISTRICT By EDWIN T. ATKINSON, p. 348 |publisher=Google Books |date=8 June 2007 |accessdate=13 October 2011}}</ref>
The [[Battle of Aligarh]] was fought on 1 September 1803 during the [[Second Anglo-Maratha War]] (1803–1805) at [[Aligarh Fort]]. The British [[76th Regiment of Foot|76th Regiment]], now known as the [[The Duke of Wellington's Regiment|Duke of Wellington's Regiment]] besieged the fort, which was under the control of the French officer [[Pierre Cuillier-Perron|Perron]], and established British rule. In 1804, the Aligarh district was formed by the union of the second, third and fourth British divisions with the addition of Anupshahr from Muradabad and Sikandra Rao from Etawa. On 1 August 1804, [[Claude Russell]] was appointed the first Collector of the new district.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=O54IAAAAQAAJ&dq=aligarh+russell&as_brr=1&pg=PA348&ci=131,1035,783,115&source=bookclip |title=DESCRIPTIVE AND HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE ALIGARH DISTRICT By EDWIN T. ATKINSON, p. 348 |publisher=Google Books |date=8 June 2007 |accessdate=13 October 2011}}</ref>


===Historyof Aligarh Muslim University (1875)===
===History of Aligarh Muslim University (1875)===
The university grew out of the work of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan who in the aftermath of the Indian War of Independence of 1857 felt that it was important for Muslims to gain education and become involved in the public life and government services in India. Raja Jai Kishan helped Sir Syed in establishing the university.
The university grew out of the work of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan who in the aftermath of the Indian War of Independence of 1857 felt that it was important for Muslims to gain education and become involved in the public life and government services in India. Raja Jai Kishan helped Sir Syed in establishing the university.
The British decision to replace the use of Persian in 1842 for government employment and as the language of Courts of Law caused deep anxiety among Muslims of the sub-continent. Sir Syed saw a need for Muslims to acquire proficiency in the English language and Western sciences if the community were to maintain its social and political clout, particularly in Northern India. He began to prepare foundation for the formation of a Muslim university by starting schools. In 1864, the Scientific Society of Aligarh was set up to translate Western works into Indian languages as a prelude to prepare the community to accept Western education. Sir Sultan Mahommed Shah, The Aga Khan III has contributed greatly to Aligarh Muslim University with financial support.
The British decision to replace the use of Persian in 1842 for government employment and as the language of Courts of Law caused deep anxiety among Muslims of the sub-continent. Sir Syed saw a need for Muslims to acquire proficiency in the English language and Western sciences if the community were to maintain its social and political clout, particularly in Northern India. He began to prepare foundation for the formation of a Muslim university by starting schools. In 1864, the Scientific Society of Aligarh was set up to translate Western works into Indian languages as a prelude to prepare the community to accept Western education. Sir Sultan Mahommed Shah, The Aga Khan III has contributed greatly to Aligarh Muslim University with financial support.

Revision as of 18:08, 21 July 2013

This article is about the municipality in Uttar Pradesh, India. For its namesake district, see Aligarh district.

Aligarh
अलीगढ़ علی گڑھ
City
Nickname(s): 
City of Locks ; The Mecca of Education[1]
LandIndien
StateUttar Pradesh
DivisionAligarh
DistrictAligarh
Area
 • Total200,000 km2 (80,000 sq mi)
Elevation
178 m (584 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total1,209,732
 • Density6.0/km2 (16/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialUrdu Hindi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
20200x
Telephone code0571
Vehicle registrationUP-81
Websitealigarh.nic.in

The city of Aligarh ⓘ is the administrative headquarters for Aligarh district, in the Northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and 181 miles (291 km) north-west of the largest city of state i.e. Kanpur. It is notable for being the seat of Aligarh Muslim University, and for its local lock industry. Aligarh is located approximately 90 miles (140 km) south-east of the capital city of New Delhi.

History

Moat at the Aligarh Fort

Before the 18th century, Aligarh was known as Kol or Koil.[2]caste, the name of a place or mountain and the name of a sage or demon. Study of the place-name indicates that the district was once fairly well covered by forests and groves. The history of the district through the 12th century AD is obscure.[2]

According to Edwin T. Atkinson, the name Kol was given to the city by Balarama, who slew the great Asura (demon) Kol there and, with the assistance of the Ahirs, subdued this part of the doab.[3] In another account, Atkinson points out a "legend" that Kol was founded by the Dor tribe of Rajputs in 372 A.D. This is further confirmed by an old fort, the ruined Dor fortress, which lies at the city centre.

Some time before the Muslim invasion, Kol was held by the Dor Rajputs. In the time of Mahmud of Ghazni, the chief of the Dors was Hardatta of Baran.[3] Statues of Buddha and other Buddhist remains have been found in excavations where the citadel of Koil stood, indicating a Buddhist influence. Hindu remains indicate that the citadel probably had a Hindu temple after the Buddhist temple.[3]

In 1194 AD, Qutb-ud-din Aibak marched from Delhi to Kol, "one of the most celebrated fortresses of Hind".[3] Qutb-ud-din Aibak appointed Hisam-ud-din Ulbak as the first Muslim governor of Koil.[3]

Koil is also mentioned in Ibn Battuta's Rihla, when Ibn Battuta along with 15 ambassadors representing Ukhaantu Khan, the Mongol Emperor of the Yuan dynasty in China, travelled to Kol city en route to the coast at Cambay (in Gujarat) in 1341.[4] According to Ibn Battuta, it would appear that the district was then in a very disturbed state since the escort of the Emperor's embassy had to assist in relieving Jalali from an attacking body of Hindus and lost an officer in the fight. Ibn Batuta calls Kol "a fine town surrounded by mango groves". From these same groves the environs of Kol would appear to have acquired the name of Sabzabad or "the green country".[3]

In the reign of Akbar, Kol was made a Sirkar and included the dasturs of Marahra, Kol ba Haveli, Thana Farida and Akbarabad.[3] Both Akbar and Jahangir visited Kol on hunting expeditions. Jahangir clearly mentions the forest of Kol, where he killed wolves.[2]

During the time of Ibrahim Lodhi, Muhammad, son of 'Umar, was the governor of Kol. He built a fort at Kol and named the city Muhammadgarh, after himself, in 1524–25. Sabit Khan, who was then the governor of this region, of Farrukh Siyar and Muhammad Shah, rebuilt the old Lodhi fort and named the town after himself: Sabitgarh. The ruler of Koil was Bargujar Raja Rao Bahadur Singh whose ancestors ruled it from A.D 1184 after the marriage of the Raja of Koil, Ajit Singh's daughter to Raja Pratap Singh, a Bargujar Rajput.

In early 1753, the Bargujar Chief rose against the destruction of Hindu temples. The Jat ruler, Surajmal, with help from Jai Singh of Jaipur and the Muslim army, occupied the fort of Koil. TheBargujar Rajput, Raja Bahadur Singh, continued the battle from another fort and died fighting in the "Battle of Ghasera". All the women committed Jauhar. Koil was renamed Ramgarh and finally, when a Shia commander, Najaf Khan, captured it, he gave it its present name of Aligarh. Aligarh Fort (also called Aligarh Qila), as it stands today, was built by French engineers under the command of French officers Benoît de Boigne and Perron.[2]

Battle of Aligarh (1803)

General Lord Gerard Lake who oversaw the Battle of Ally Ghur

The Battle of Aligarh was fought on 1 September 1803 during the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805) at Aligarh Fort. The British 76th Regiment, now known as the Duke of Wellington's Regiment besieged the fort, which was under the control of the French officer Perron, and established British rule. In 1804, the Aligarh district was formed by the union of the second, third and fourth British divisions with the addition of Anupshahr from Muradabad and Sikandra Rao from Etawa. On 1 August 1804, Claude Russell was appointed the first Collector of the new district.[5]

History of Aligarh Muslim University (1875)

The university grew out of the work of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan who in the aftermath of the Indian War of Independence of 1857 felt that it was important for Muslims to gain education and become involved in the public life and government services in India. Raja Jai Kishan helped Sir Syed in establishing the university. The British decision to replace the use of Persian in 1842 for government employment and as the language of Courts of Law caused deep anxiety among Muslims of the sub-continent. Sir Syed saw a need for Muslims to acquire proficiency in the English language and Western sciences if the community were to maintain its social and political clout, particularly in Northern India. He began to prepare foundation for the formation of a Muslim university by starting schools. In 1864, the Scientific Society of Aligarh was set up to translate Western works into Indian languages as a prelude to prepare the community to accept Western education. Sir Sultan Mahommed Shah, The Aga Khan III has contributed greatly to Aligarh Muslim University with financial support. In 1875, Sir Syed founded the Muhammadan Anglo Oriental College in Aligarh and patterned the college after Oxford and Cambridge universities that he had visited on a trip to England. His objective was to build a college in tune with the British education system but without compromising its Islamic values. Sir Syed's son, Syed Mahmood, had studied at Cambridge and contributed a proposal for an independent university to the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College Fund Committee upon his return from England in 1872. This proposal was adopted and subsequently modified. Mahmood continued to work alongside his father in founding the college. It was one of the first purely residential educational institution set up either by the government or the public in India. Over the years it gave rise to a new educated class of Indian Muslims who were active in the political system of the British Raj. When viceroy to India Lord Curzon visited the college in 1901, he praised the work which was carried on and called it of "sovereign importance".[4]

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan

The college was originally affiliated with the University of Calcutta and was transferred to the Allahabad University in 1885. Near the turn of the century it began publishing its own magazine, The Aligarian, and established a law school. It was also around this time that a movement began to have it develop into a university. To achieve this goal, expansions were made and more programs added to the curriculum. A school for girls was established in 1907. By 1920 the college was transformed into Muslim University. The first chancellor of the university was Sultan Shah Jahan Begum. In 1927, a school for the blind was established and, the following year, a medical school was attached to the university. By the end of the 1930s, the university had developed an Engineering faculty. Syed Zafarul Hasan, joined the Aligarh Muslim University in early 1900s as head of Philosophy Department, dean Faculty of Arts. He was a pro-vice chancellor before his retirement. Before 1939, faculty and students supported an all-India nationalist movement. After 1939, political sentiment shifted toward support for a Muslim separatist movement. University Students and faculty mobilised behind Mohammed Ali Jinnah and the University hence became an epicenter of Pakistan Movement.[5][6]

Kennedy House, museum (left); auditorium (right)

Geography

Standort

Aligarh is located at the coordinates 27°53′N 78°05′E / 27.88°N 78.08°E / 27.88; 78.08.[6] It has an elevation of approximately 178 metres (587 feet). The city is in the middle portion of the doab, the land between the Ganges and the Yamuna rivers. The G.T.Road passes through.

Towns and villages

Aligarh's neighborhoods include dhanauli near sikandra rao (by vikram singh faridabad)

Tehsil Khair

Tehsil Iglas

Tehsil Gabhana

Tehsil Kol

Tehsil Atrauli

Climate

Aligarh has a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate, typical of north-central India. Summers start in April and are hot with temperatures peaking in May. The average temperature range is 28–33 °C (82–91 °F). The monsoon season starts in late June, continuing till early October, bringing high humidity. Aligarh gets most of its annual rainfall of 800 millimetres (31 in) during these months. Temperatures then decrease, and winter sets in December, and continues till early February. Temperatures range between 12–16 °C (54–61 °F). Winters in Aligarh are generally mild, but fog and cold snaps sometimes occur.

Climate data for Aligarh
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 21
(70) 		24
(75) 		30
(86) 		37
(99) 		40
(104) 		39
(102) 		34
(93) 		32
(90) 		33
(91) 		32
(90) 		28
(82) 		22
(72) 		31
(88)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 7
(45) 		9
(48) 		14
(57) 		20
(68) 		25
(77) 		27
(81) 		26
(79) 		25
(77) 		24
(75) 		19
(66) 		12
(54) 		8
(46) 		18
(64)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 15
(0.6) 		14
(0.6) 		7
(0.3) 		5
(0.2) 		13
(0.5) 		48
(1.9) 		230
(9.1) 		235
(9.3) 		144
(5.7) 		48
(1.9) 		2
(0.1) 		7
(0.3) 		768
(30.5)
Source: IMD

Demographics

Religions in Aligarh
Religion Percent
Hindus
 
 48%
Muslims
 
 50%
Jains
 
 1%
Others†
 
 1%
Distribution of religions
†Includes Sikhs (0.2%), Buddhists (<0.2%).

The provisional data of 2011 census showed the Aligarh urban area with a population of 12,09,559. Males outnumber females 482,828 to 426,731. The literacy rate was 70.54 per cent.[7]

Economy

The city is an agricultural trade centre.[8] Agricultural product processing and manufacturing are important.[9]

Aligarh is an important business centre of Uttar Pradesh and is most famous for its lock industry. Aligarh locks are exported across the world. In 1870, Johnson & Co. was the first English lock firm in Aligarh. In 1890, the company initiated production of locks on a small scale here.[10]

Aligarh is also famous for brass hardware and sculpture. Today, the city holds thousands of manufacturers, exporters and suppliers involved in the brass, bronze, iron and aluminium industries.

Harduaganj Thermal Power Station (also referred as Kasimpur Power House) is 15 km from the city. Narora Atomic Power Station is located 50 km from Aligarh. Despite its proximity to two large power stations, frequent power cuts are normal in Aligarh.

Aligarh hosts Heinz-sauce manufacturing unit in Manzurgarhi, Satha sugar factory on the Aligarh-Kasimpur Power House route and a cement factory.

Locations of note

Cultural landmarks

Aligarh has several popular landmarks. One is Aligarh fort. The Dor fortress (1524), now in ruins, lies at the city's centre; its site is in the area now called Upper Kot and is occupied by an 18th-century mosque.

The Annual Cultural Exhibition, popularly known as Numaish, is held at the exhibition ground in January and February.

Many cultural-based institutes are in Aligarh city. Examples include Sangeetika at Centre Point, Durga Sanskratik Kala Kendra, and the Sanskar Bharti(Cultural wing of Rastriya Swyamsevak Sangh).

Places of worship

Another landmark is Sir Syed Masjid in Aligarh Muslim University's campus.

SS Masjid beside Strachey Hall, AMU Aligarh

The city contains tombs of Muslim saints.[11] Aligarh has a very renowned tomb, Baba Barchi Bahadur, at Kath Pula. Another old Jain temple with fresco painted ceilings is located behind Khirni Gate Police Chowky at Agra Road in the main City.

One famous Jainism Teerth Dhaam "Mangalayatan Teerth Dhaam" was built at Agra Road.

Islamic Culture

There are Two main holidays in Islam: Eid Al-Fitr, Ramadan and Eid Al-Adha. Eid Al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan (a month of fasting), and Muslims usually give zakat (charity) on the occasion. Eid Al-Adha is celebrated at the end of Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca), which is one of the Five pillars, and Muslims usually sacrifice an animal and distribute its meat among family, friends and the poor. All Islamic holidays follow the lunar calendar, and thus move each year relative to the solar calendar. The calendar has 12 months and 354 days on a regular year, and 355 days on a leap year.

Markets and shopping

Notable markets of Aligarh include the Centre Point Market, Railway Road Market, Phool chorha, Jamalpur Market, Shamshad Market, Mahavir Ganj, (Houseking Locks) Mohammad Ali Road,Upper Fort (known as Uppar Kot),is the best place for shopping for brand Locks.Tasweer Mahal and Amin-Nisha. Centre Point Market is the best place for shopping for brand enthusiasts.

Railway Road and Amin-Nisha markets are the major shopping hubs. Shamshad Market and Achal Tal Market are noted for educational book stores. Mahavir Ganj has a grocery focus.

Media

Aligarh currently has 2 FM Radio stations:

Hindi Newspapers include Dainik Jagran, Pravada, Hindustan, Crime AND police, Amar Ujala, Avadh Nama, Punjab Kesari, DLA. . HT Media Ltd has recently come out with printing facilities in Aligarh.

Organisations

Social organisations in Aligarh city, include Rotary Club, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh at Dwarikapuri, Vishwa Hindu Parishad at G.T. Road, Manav Upkar Samiti, Bharatiya Sewa Sansthan, Aligarh, Chetana Jagrati Punj, Kala Jagriti Samiti, Golden Group and Welfare Trust and Sanskar Bharti Ekta at Sasni Gate,

Transport

Aligarh is well-connected to other cities. The Grand Trunk Road, passes through Aligarh on its way to Bengal.

The two main bus terminals are the Masoodabad Bus Terminal and Gandhi Park Bus Terminal. Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) buses serve cities all over the state and cities in Uttranchal, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana. Aligarh railway station is the primary railway station for Aligarh city and is a major stop on the Delhi-Kolkata route. It connects Aligarh to the states of West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, north-east and most of Uttar Pradesh, and important cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bhopal, Gwalior, Lucknow, Jhansi, Puri, Kanpur, Agra, Varanasi and Jaipur. The station runs about 70 Mail/ Express/ E.M.U Trains daily. A third railway line between Aligarh and Ghaziabad has development. The 106.15-km line cost Rs 400 crore. City buses, tempos and rickshaw are convenient commuting options.

Approved projects

An international airport has been approved by the Government in Bldev (Mathura) about 70 km from the city centre.[12]

Notable personalities

References

  1. ^ www.ideamarketers.com/?Aligarh_–_The_Mecca_of_Education...
  2. ^ a b c d "History of Aligarh". Aligarhdirectory.com. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g 294, 804, 89&source=bookclip DESCRIPTIVE AND HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE ALIGARH DISTRICT By EDWIN T. ATKINSON, page 484. Google Books. 8 June 2007. Retrieved 13 October 2011. {{cite book}}: Check |url= value (help) Cite error: The named reference "atkins" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  4. ^ The Adventures of Ibn Battuta, by Ross E. Dunn, p. 215
  5. ^ DESCRIPTIVE AND HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE ALIGARH DISTRICT By EDWIN T. ATKINSON, p. 348. Google Books. 8 June 2007. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  6. ^ "Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Aligarh". Fallingrain.com. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  7. ^ "Urban Agglomerations/Cities having population 1 lakh and above" (PDF). Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  8. ^ "India9.com". India9.com. 7 June 2005. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  9. ^ "Britannica". Britannica. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  10. ^ Pawan JainPawan Jain (3 June 2003). "Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 13 October 2011. {{cite web}}: Text "3 Jun 2003, 01.26 am IST" ignored (help)
  11. ^ Britannica India, by Dale Hoiberg, Indu Ramchandani. Google Books. Retrieved 13 October 2011. {{cite book}}: Text "Students'" ignored (help)
  12. ^ http://www.news.vrindavantoday.org/2012/05/agras-new-airport-may-be-built-nearer-to-vrindavan/

http://www.mediabharti.com and http://www.agratoday.in and many more...

Further reading

  • Aligarh in My Days (Interviews of former Vice Chancellors of Aligarh Muslim University), Ed. Syed Ziaur Rahman, Non-Resident Students' Centre, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 1997.
  • Atkinson, Edward (1875, reproduced 2010). Descriptive And Historical Account Of The Aligarh District. Nabu Press. ISBN 1-147-42719-4. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)

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