History of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh

History of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh

Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh was established in 1600 by prince Murad, the son of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan; as a result the city came to be known as Moradabad. It is situated at a distance of 167 km from the national capital, New Delhi, at the bank of River Ram Ganga (a tributary to the great Ganges).

From Ancient History -

Moradabad was an important territory of the Panchala Kingdom, Nanda, Maurya, Gupta and Maukharis Empires. When it was captured by Rustam Khan, the Governor of Sambhal, in 1624, it was called as Rustam Nagar. Moradabad became a province of Rohilkhand State in the early 1700s. Later it was named as Moradabad after Prince Morad Bux, the son of Mughal Emperor Shahjahan.

Moradabad was ruled by the Nawabs of Awadh during 1774 - 1800. When the State of Rohilkhand was annexed to the British Empire in 1801, it was divided in to Bareilly and Moradabad districts. The city also witnessed a great uprising during the First War of Indian Independence that took place in 1857.

Moradabad is renowned for brass work and has carved a niche for itself in the handicraft industry throughout the world. The brassware is exported to countries like USA, Britain, Canada, Germany and to the Middle East and Asia. Therefore Moradabad is also called "Brass City" or Peetal Nagri..

The brassware industry in Moradabad bloomed in early 19th century and British took the art to foreign markets. Other immigrating artisans from Benaras, Lucknow, Agra and many other places formed the current cluster of brassware industry in Moradabad. In 1980's various other metal wares like brass; iron, aluminum etc. were also introduced to the art industry of Moradabad. New technologies like Electroplating, lacquering, powder coating etc. also found its way to the industry.