Meerut
is one of the most important towns in the Northern part of India. The
town, situated in Western Uttar Pradesh has got a long history behind
it. The city 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. The city once again fell in the eyes of storm during mid 19th century when it became the catalyst to the famous Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. It was in Meerut Cantonment that the 24th Native Infantry of British Army revolted against a range of grievances. The mutiny later turned into a full-fledged revolt that shook the British Empire. The Cantonment still exists.
The city has also been notorious because of its Hindu-Muslim sibling rivalries that have turned in to communal riots every now and then. There have been major riots in every decades apart from minor strives and skirmishes that takes place every now and then. In spite of remaining in the eyes of storm every now and then, the city has been successful in shedding the baggage of past. The city has slowly turned itself in to a major commercial town in the Northern India. The city is one of the largest centers of smelting and agriculture works in India. Besides, it is also the largest producer of sports goods and musical instruments in India.
