Aligarh
India · Asia
About Aligarh
Aligarh is a city in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. It is the administrative headquarters of Aligarh district and lies 342 kilometres (213 mi) northwest of state capital Lucknow and approximately 130 kilometres (81 mi) southeast of the capital, New Delhi. The cities and districts which adjoin Aligarh are: Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Sambhal, Badaun, Kasganj, Hathras, Etah and Mathura, as well as Palwal district of Haryana. As of 2011, Aligarh is the 53rd most populous city in India.
The recorded history of Aligarh begins in the 12th century, under the name Kol. Kol was a major city of the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire, serving as both a political and economic centre. Beginning with a major rebuilding of the Aligarh Fort in the 16th century, the city was renamed several times before eventually settling on the current name, Aligarh, in the mid-1700s. It is notable as the seat of Aligarh Muslim University, which was founded here as Mohammadan Anglo-Oriental College in 1875, initiating the Aligarh Movement.
Written references to the city commence only from 12th century onward; however, archaeological...
Aligarh travel guide
Getting there
Aligarh is on a well-connected railway line from Delhi. One can get trains almost at a frequency of an hour after afternoon.
See
Aligarh Muslim University Campus. Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicine and Sciences, Tijara House, Dodhpur. Museum on Indian heritage and Library on History of Medieval Medicine Manglayatan temple, Aligarh-Agra highway (About 20 minutes ride from main city). Naqvi Park (On the approach to University Campus). Old fort (Near university law faculty).
Buy
1 Amir Nisha Market. Amir Nishan Market is a residential and commercial area in Aligarh. it's a top place for cheap but high-quality traditional Indian clothes for women. It's closed on Friday. Aligarh old city market. Quite clumsy and lack parking space but you can find practically anything of daily use and industrial purpose in this market. Locks. Aligarh is famous for its lock industry and one can spend some time buying and searching some new and attractive lock models in the local city market. 2 Centre Point. Closed on Tuesdays. Centre Point is a shopping center in Aligarh, it's a large area and not just a big mall, there are outlets of most luxury fashion brands. You can buy clothing, electronics, sweets, fast food & gold. There are also luxury salons, temples, mobile repair shops, and medical stores. It's the most posh area of Aligarh. (updated Apr 2024)
Eat
Being in the Nawabi state of Uttar Pradesh, you can find some really good non-veg dishes out here at very reasonable prices. The major restaurants are in centre point location which is considered as posh market of Aligarh. Meizbaan, Mughal Kareem, etc. But if you want to explore the local taste go for various road side dhabas such as near Tasveer Mahal and Purani Chungi area. And you can food almost round the clock in the Rasal Ganj area of Aligarh. You can also enjoy Ganpat's tikki and gulab jamun and Sibbu's kachori.
Sleep
Ananad Bhavan. Near the old bus stand. Gulmarg Guest House (Close to the University). Comparatively lowe prices. Kareem Lodge (Close to the University). Comparatively lowe prices. Ruby Palace. Near the old bus stand.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.