Meerut
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Meerut is a city to the north west of New Delhi. Its claim to fame lies in the fact that the famous chant of "Dilli chalo" (Move to Delhi) was taken up first from here during the Indian rebellion of 1857 against the British East India Company.
It is one of the biggest cantonment in India as it holds a strategic advantage of being close to the national capital, New Delhi.This is actually debatable as it existed before Delhi became the Capital . (The statement also shows inadequate distinction between a Garrison and a Cantonment. Cantonments contained Britishers from all walks of life and always had a garrison to provide protection to them. They were also not exclusively for British occupation.)
Meerut is a district with 1025 villages and a population of around 2.5 Million. However the population in city itself is 1,074,229 according to the 2001 Census (http://www.censusindia.net/results/millioncities.html).
The majority of the city are Hindus, with the minority Muslims.
Notes about the history of Meerut:
1. From Ramayan, Ravana's wife Mandodsi, lived in Meerut. The town is named after her. Megnath was her son and Kumkaran her brother.
2. Meerut people, like Hathiwalla's, Lallawalla's and Pattharwalla's are all people of Lalla Ke Bazaar. (Lalla Ke Bazaar is the old city in Meerut)
3. 1857, 1st war of Independence was started here. Current day Kalipaltan Mandir is where the Kalipaltan (dark skin soldier) troops were housed. At this location the british gave them rifle cartridges. The wrapping was opened by the teeth, the British told the Hindu's that there was beef fat on the cartridge and Muslims were told that pork fat was on the cartridge. Correction - there was an unconfirmed rumour that this was the case . Thus hurting both religious sentiments.
No matter, both Muslim and Hindu knew that the cartridges were made in England. (What were the British thinking)
4. Mall Road is a wide road in Meerut near what was originally a British Military cantonment. Raghbir Sarang was known to have raced horse Buggies on this road and was whipped for having beaten a Brit.
5. 1940's--Meerut Movie Theaters had a "Don't Move" policy during playing of British national anthem. Or else you will get hit by a British Soldier.
6. Hasitnapur - The seat of the Kaurav/ Pandav's had their Sena (Gaurds) come from Meerut
7. Lakshgarh - The Mahabharat Laksh house that burned "Parnavah" Town. Kaurav's wanted to burn down the Pandav's. Home/site is in Meerut .
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More information can be found on here (http://meerut.nic.in/). As well as here (http://meerutup.tripod.com).