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Meerut History, India

There are many tourist places in Northern India. Meerut is one of the largest and prospering cities in Northern India especially in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It has a huge population of more than 1.2 million inhabitants. The city is ancient and has a tremendous historical significance. It is found between two Indian rivers called “Ganga” and “Yamuna”. This city played an important role during the time of British rule and forever holds an eminent position in history. It continues to be the epicenter of economics and commerce of India.

The history of Meerut is lively. The native inhabitants are the key groups that have ensured the continued success and development of Meerut. Its closeness to Delhi also contributed a lot to the development of Meerut.

Meerut is the root of many freedom fights and grass root movements during the period of British rule. The British Government had occupied Meerut since 1836. Meerut offered excellent support for the freedom fighters and most of the mutinies that were held. This gave these freedom fighters the courage to defend themselves and their rights against the East India Company. The mutiny of 1857 (which was called the Sipahi Mutiny) has a deep root in the history of Meerut. It was the 24th of April, 1857 when eighty five people were imprisoned and riots broke out for their release.

Meerut was not influenced as much as other regions of India during the socio-religious movement in the nineteenth century. Reformers like Dayanand Saraswati, Annie Besant, Colonel Olcott and Sir Sayed Ahmed Khan visited Meerut but did not leave a heavy influence upon Meerut. Nevertheless, one movement that Meerut history undeniably reveals is the popularity of the Arya Samaj Movement. There is also a lot of influence from the more ancient civilizations such as the Harappan civilization during the Mauryan period upon Meerut’s culture.

Lastly, Meerut is rapidly progressing especially in the latest modern technological advances for the region. It is endowed with modern education and it is rising to be the most important business center of the Western Uttar Pradesh.

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