Alīgarh, India
Region: Uttar Pradesh
Geographic Coordinates: 27.880000, 78.080000
Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 45.0°C (50°F to 113°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 1131160
Language: Hindi
Aligarh is a city located in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is situated approximately 130 km southeast of Delhi and 320 km northwest of Lucknow. The city has a rich history and cultural heritage that dates back to the Mughal era. Aligarh was founded by Muhammad Ali Khan, Who served as the governor of Awadh during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb. The city is known for its famous educational institutions, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) being one among them.
AMU was established in 1875 by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Who aimed to provide modern education to Muslims in India during British Raj. Today, AMU is considered one of the top universities in India and attracts students from all over the country. Another notable feature of Aligarh is its exquisite architecture which reflects a mix of Mughal and British styles.
The most famous monument in Aligarh is Sir Syed Masjid which was built by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan himself along with other buildings on campus like Victoria Gate – named after Queen Victoria – and Strachey Hall named after Governor-General Lord Strachey. Aligarh also boasts several beautiful parks such as Shekha Jheel Park, Mahavir Park, Etc where people can relax or take part in outdoor activities like jogging or playing sports. Apart from education and architecture, Aligarh has also made significant contributions to Indian literature with renowned authors like Ali Sardar Jafri hailing from this city.
Furthermore, It’s also home to several industries such as brassware manufacturing which has been an integral part since ancient times when metal artisans were patronized by Mughal Emperors for their skillful craftsmanship. In terms of food culture too, Aligarh offers some unique delicacies that are popular across North India such as kachori sabzi – fried bread stuffed with spiced lentils and potatoes, Aligarh ki chaat – a spicy snack made from crispy fried dough, And various types of biryanis. Aligarh is a city that is steeped in history and culture with a rich heritage that reflects the diversity of India.
It’s home to some of the best educational institutions in the country, Has exquisite architecture, Beautiful parks, Thriving industries and unique food culture. All these factors make Aligarh an interesting destination for tourists who want to explore India beyond its major cities.
- Aligarh Fort
- Sir Syed Academy Museum
- Maulana Azad Library
- Teerthdham Mangalayatan Temple
- Khereshwar Temple
- Shekha Jheel Lake
- Aligarh Muslim University
- Naqvi Park
- Jama Masjid
- Dor Fortress
- Lock Industry: Aligarh is famous for its lock industry, which is one of the largest in the world. The city produces more than 10 million locks every day.
- Handicrafts: The city has a rich tradition of handicrafts, including brassware, pottery, and woodwork.
- Agriculture: Aligarh is an important agricultural hub in Uttar Pradesh and produces crops such as wheat, sugarcane, rice, and mustard.
- Education: The city has several renowned educational institutions such as Aligarh Muslim University and many engineering colleges.
- Dairy Industry: There are several dairy farms located in the outskirts of the city that produce milk products like ghee (clarified butter) and paneer (cottage cheese).
- Manufacturing Industries: Other manufacturing industries include textiles mills producing cotton fabrics or synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon.
- Retail Business: There are many retail stores selling clothes, cosmetics, household items, etc.
- Sir Syed Ahmad Khan: He was a prominent Muslim reformer, educationist, and founder of the Aligarh Muslim University.
- Aligarh Movement: The movement was initiated by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in the late 19th century to promote modern education among Muslims in India.
- Battle of Aligarh: It was fought between British East India Company and Maratha Empire in 1803 during the Second Anglo-Maratha War.
- Maulana Shibli Nomani: He was an Islamic scholar, historian, and writer who played a significant role in promoting Urdu literature.
- Khwaja Altaf Hussain Hali: He was a poet, writer, and critic who is best known for his book Musaddas-e-Hali, which is considered one of the greatest works of Urdu literature.
- Nehru Stadium: It is a sports stadium located in Aligarh that has hosted several national-level sporting events.
- AMU Medical College: It is one of the oldest medical colleges in India that offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in medicine and surgery.
- Gandhi Park: It is a public park located near AMU campus that has become a popular recreational spot for locals over time.
- Bab-e-Syed Gate: This gate serves as an entrance to AMU campus which holds great historical significance as it marks the establishment of MAO College (which later became AMU) by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.
- Aligarh Fort: This fort dates back to 1524 AD when it was built by Ibrahim Lodhi but later came under Mughal rule after their victory over Lodhis at Panipat battle. It served as an important fortress during British rule too.
- Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)
- Maulana Azad Library
- Sir Syed Academy Museum
- Aligarh Fort
- Teerthdham Mangalayatan Temple
- Jama Masjid
- Dor Fortress
- Naqvi Park
- Shekha Jheel Lake
- Baba Barchi Bahadur Dargah
- I apologize, I am unable to provide any current updates or information.
- Aligarh is renowned for its cricket teams and has produced numerous notable players throughout the years.
- One of the most prominent cricketers from Aligarh is Mohammad Kaif, who played for the Indian team in the early 2000s and was a member of the squad that won the NatWest Trophy in 2002.
- Additionally, there are local football clubs such as Aligarh Muslim University Football Club and Aligarh Football Academy that participate in various tournaments across India.
- Sir Syed Day is celebrated on October 17th every year in honor of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the founder of Aligarh Muslim University.
- The Aligarh Literature Festival is an annual event held in December that brings together writers, poets, and literary enthusiasts from all over India.
- The Urs of Shah Jamal takes place every February to commemorate the death anniversary of Sufi saint Hazrat Shah Jamal.
- Holi, the festival of colors, is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Aligarh along with the rest of India.
- Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha are two Islamic festivals widely celebrated in Aligarh.
- Dussehra and Diwali are Hindu festivals also celebrated with pomp and show in Aligarh.
- Although not specific to Aligarh, the Kumbh Mela Hindu pilgrimage takes place once every 12 years at Allahabad (now Prayagraj), which is only a few hours’ drive from Aligarh.
- Independence Day and Republic Day are national holidays observed with flag hoisting ceremonies, parades, and cultural programs throughout India including Aligarh.
- Al-Baik Restaurant – famous for its chicken dishes and biryani.
- Khera’s Kebab Corner – known for its delicious kebabs and tikkas.
- Shri Ram Sweets – famous for its sweets like gulab jamun, rasgulla, etc.
- Janta Dhaba – known for its North Indian cuisine like parathas, chole bhature, etc.
- Bikanervala – famous for its snacks like samosas, kachoris, etc.
- Raja Ki Thali – known for its Rajasthani thalis.
- Royal Inn Restaurant – popular for Chinese and Continental cuisines.
- The Yellow Chilli by Sanjeev Kapoor- serves modern Indian cuisine with a twist.
- Shekha Jheel is a popular recreational spot in Aligarh, featuring a large lake surrounded by lush greenery and offering boating facilities.
- Maulana Azad Park is named after one of India’s prominent freedom fighters and serves as a popular destination for picnics and outdoor activities.
- Aligarh Fort, the historic fort in the city, also serves as a public park where visitors can enjoy scenic views of the city.
- Gandhi Park is another popular park in Aligarh with well-maintained gardens, walking paths, and a playground for children.
- Joggers’ Park is an ideal place for jogging or running enthusiasts with its dedicated paths and fitness equipment.
- Jawahar Bagh features beautiful floral displays, fountains, and seating areas making it an ideal place to relax or take a stroll.
- Khereshwar Temple Garden has beautiful landscaping with several small water bodies that add to its charm as a temple garden.
- Tala Nagri Wildlife Sanctuary located on the outskirts of Aligarh offers nature trails through dense forests where visitors can spot wildlife such as deer and peacocks.
- Naqvi Park is a newly developed park located at Banna Devi police chowki road having a good play area for kids, walking track, small lake, etc.
