Meerut was the part of Hastinapur Empire of Kaurvas that ruled the Vedic India and was the protagonists of Hindu Epic of Mahabharata. The city again rose to prominence in medieval times when it defended itself vehemently but unsuccessfully against Timor The Lame.
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The city is said to be associated with earliest traditions of the Hindus according to which Maya, the father-in-law of Ravana, founded this place which has, therefore, been call Maidant-ka-Khera. According to another version Maya, a distinguished architect, got from king Yudhishther the land on which the city of Meerut now stands and he called this place Mayrashtra, a name which in course of time became shortened to Meerut. Tradition are so has it that the district formed part of the dominions of Mahipal, king of Indraprashta and the word Meerut is associated with his name.
Meerut was conquered by Muslims in 1192, ravaged by Timur in 1399, and became part of the Mughal empire. An important town of the Jat Bharatpur kingdom (mid 18th cent.), it subsequently fell to the British, who made it a major military cantonment. Meerut has always been known as a place for the revolutions, be it the 1857 mutiny or The Quit India Movement. It is the Meerut cantonment where the revolution for the freedom first began.
Meerut is famously associated with the Indian Revolution of 1857 against the British East India Company, when chants of popular Hindi slogan "Dilli Chalo" ("Let's march to Delhi!") were first raised here. Meerut cantonment is the place where the rebellion started when Hindu and Muslim soldiers were given rifle cartridges with a coating made of animal fat.
Meerut is famously associated with the Indian Revolution of 1857 against the British East India Company, when chants of popular Hindi slogan "Dilli Chalo" ("Let's march to Delhi!") were first raised here. Meerut cantonment is the place where the rebellion started when Hindu and Muslim soldiers were given rifle cartridges with a coating made of animal fat.
Air: Meerut is situated very close to New Delhi, the seat of Indian Government. Delhi Airport is 60 odd Kilometers from Meerut. Delhi is in turn well connected to rest of India and world through a range of flights operated by various private and public carriers. From Delhi, one can hire a cab and reach Meerut in an hour and half via National Highways 24 and then NH 58.
Rail: The nearest railway station is Meerut Cantonment Station that falls on the busy Delhi-Dehradun line of North Central Railways. Several Passenger as well as super fast trains connect Meerut to other popular towns and cities in Uttar Pradesh and rest of India. It has direct connectivity to cities like Delhi, Ghaziabad, Agra, Jaipur and Lucknow.
Road: Meerut is well connected to the cities like Mathura, Delhi, Chandigarh, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Jhansi and Agra etc. Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation plies several buses to these cities. Various privately run luxury buses are also available.
Meerut is the largest producer of musical instruments in the country. Do buy a few good ones if you are a real lover of music. Meerut is also one of the major suppliers of sports goods in the world. It ranks among the top cities producing and exporting sports goods in Asia. Don't forget to get hold of Studs; it's a steal. Shopping in Meerut can be real fun.
Meerut is one of the most famous commercial centers in the Northern part of India. The city for long has been a major center of Agriculture, Engineering and Smelting works. The city is the largest supplier of agriculture equipment in India. Hans Engineering works is the largest player. A visit to its workshop at Surajkund Road is worth it.
Apart from that, Meerut is the largest producer of musical instruments in the country. Do buy a few good ones as the same instruments when exported to Europe and America cost quite a sum. Meerut is also one of the major suppliers of sports goods in the world. It ranks among the top cities producing and exporting sports goods in Asia. Do buy a good pair of Studs; it's a steal.
Meerut is well known for its sweet shops. The city is famous for its 'Revri' and 'Gazak'. Gokul Revri Shop at the Budhana Gate area is the most famous joint in the town. Do taste its mouth melting stuff during your visits.
Meerut had have an image makeover in recent years that has led to a sudden spurt in number of modern Malls and commercial complexes all over the city. These are the best place for shopping along with traditional bazaars.