Meerut Travel Guide
Meerut town
in northwestern Uttar Pradesh state lies northeast of Delhi. Meerut is a
major trade centre for agricultural products and has a considerable
amount of industry, including manufacturing, smelting, handicrafts, and
the milling of sugar, cotton, flour, and oilseeds. Meerut University
(1965) is located in the town apart from Meerut College (1892) and
several other colleges are affiliated with the university. The town also
has a 12th-century mausoleum and a number of old temples and mosques.
Meerut is an important army headquarters. The initial uprising of the
1857 Indian Mutiny occurred there. Modinagar, a sprawling industrial
township establish by the Modi industrial group, is closeby. Meerut is
fabled for its scissor-making.
Getting There:
By Air
Nearest airport is Pantnagar, 62 km.
By Rail
Nearest railhead is Ramnagar, 78 km and Khatima 15 km.
By Road
Well connected by road. Bareilly, 124 km Nainital, 121 km.
Tourist Attractions
St. John's Church
Established in 1819 in Meerut Cantonment this church was completed in
1822. Seat up by Chaplin revered Henry Fisher on behalf of the East
India Company, this Church was dedicated to the people by Bishop Wilson.
The church has a seating capacity of 15,000 people. During the 1857
uprising this church was the scene of heavy fighting between the rebels
and the British forces. The church also has the honors of being oldest
church in North India.
Baba Vishwanath Temple
The town has Baba Vishwanath temple, another ancient temple of Lord
Shiva probably built around 1887. The temple draws thousands of pilgrims
every year during festive seasons and is among the most visited Shiva
Temples in Uttar Pradesh
Dargah of Shah Pir
Situated near Shah Pir Gate, the Moghul mausoleum, the red stone
construction was built in 1620 A.D., by Noor Jehan. .
Sardhana:
19 km northwest of Meerut lies the fascinating town of Sardhana with a
romantic and historically significant past. In the late 18th century the
French adventurer Walter Reinhardt came to India and soon became popular
as 'Samru'. He received Sardhana from Najaf Khan of Delhi for
successfully supporting his troops and in 1773 the principality of
Sardhana was formally established. After his death in 1778 his
formidable widow Begum Samru who converted to Roman Catholic Faith in
succeeded him 1781.
