Victoria gate, a part of Aligarh University campus

Aligarh (Hindi: अलीगढ़) is a city in the Uttar Pradesh state of India. Aligarh has a population of half a million. It is most famous for being the home of Aligarh University. The city is located about 100 miles from New Delhi.

The city was originally established as a fort in the 12th century, and was known as Koil. The name was changed to Aligarh in 1776 upon the building of an important fort there. It was taken by the British in 1803. Its garrison mutinied in 1857. The remains of the ancient fort still stand 3 km north of the town. Mohammedan Anglo Oriental College that eventually became Aligarh University was established in 1864. Many railway lines pass through the city connecting it to most of the important destinations in the region.

The city is located on a plain between the Ganges and Jumna Rivers. The Grand Trunk Road passes through the city.

A church in Naqvi Park, a lesser known part of Aligarh.

External link

• Official website of Aligarh District