India Tourism » Shaheed Smarak Meerut

RASHTRIYA SHAHEED SMARAK – MEERUT
About 72 km northeast of New Delhi, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, lies the city of Meerut. As famous for its revadi (sesame-seed-coated, jaggery-based hard candies) as its dal-moth (deep-fried lentil savouries), Meerut is the quintessential small Indian town flirting with rapid modernisation. It has grown into a major manufacturing hub for sports goods, agricultural and oddly enough musical instruments. Meerut University (now known as Chaudhury Charan Singh University), attracts scholars from across the country who come to the city as much for the education, as they do for its history.

History says
When people speak of the Indian Independence Movement, the city of Meerut is named as the place where the seeds of this rebellion were first sown. According to historians, Indian soldiers in the British garrisons were given rifle cartridges rumoured to be greased with animal fat made from the carcasses of pigs and cows. The cartridges had to be opened with the teeth before use and this offended the religious sensibilities of both the Muslims and the Hindus the cow being a sacred animal for Hindus and the pig being considered unclean by Muslims. On April 24, 1857, eighty-five troopers of the Third Cavalry refused to touch the cartridges and after a court martial, were sentenced to 10 years in prison. As the mutiny blossomed into a countrywide movement, Meerut echoed with shouts of -Dilli cholo” (onwards, to Delhi).

Although the district still houses a major army cantonment, Meerut today is a far cry from the tumultuous city it once was.

Getting there
Jet Airways has daily flights to New Delhi from across the country. From here one can either take a bus, or drive down to Meerut.