A b o u t   S a h a r a n p u r

History of Saharanpur

The physical features of the district has proved that Saharanpur region was fit for human habitation. The archaeological survey has proved that the evidence of different cultures is available in this area. The excavations were carried out in different parts of the district, i.e. Ambakheri, Bargaon, Hulas, Bhadarabad and Naseerpur etc. A number of things have been found during these excavations, on the basis of which, it is established that in Saharanpur district, the earliest habitants were found as early as 2000 B.C. Traces of Indus Valley Civilization and even earlier are available and now it can be definitely established that this region is connected with Indus valley civilization. Ambakheri, Bargaon, Naseerpur and Hulas were the centres of Harappa culture because many things similar to Harappan civilization were found in these areas.

From the days of the Aryans, the history of this region is traceable in a logical manner but it is difficult at present to trace out history and administration of the local kings without further exploration and excavations. With the passage of time it's name changed rapidly. During the reign of Iltutmish Saharanpur became a part of the Slave Dynasty.

Muhammad Tughlaq reached northern doab to crush the rebellion of Shiwalik Kings in 1340. There he came to know about the presence of a Sufi saint "Shah Harun Chisti" on the banks of 'Paondhoi' river. He went to see him there and henceforth the place is known as 'Shah-Harunpur' or " Saharanpur" by the name of Saint.

Akbar was the first Mughal ruler who established civic administration in Saharanpur and made it ' Saharanpur -Sarkar' under Delhi province and appointed a Governor. The Jagir of Saharanpur was honoured to Raja Sah Ranveer Singh who founded the city of Saharanpur. At that time Saharanpur was a small village and served as army cantt area. The nearest settlements at that time were Shekhpura and Malhipur. Most of the part of Saharanpur was covered by forests and Paondhoi' 'Dhamola' and 'Ganda Nala (Kregi Nala)' were swampy/marshy.

The city which Sah Ranveer Singh founded was surrounded by 'Nakhasa' 'Rani Bajar' Shah Bahlol' and ' Lakhi Gate' along the 'Paondhoi' River. Saharanpur was a walled city and had four gates -

1. Sarai gate
2. Mali gate
3. Buria gate
4. Lakhi gate

Physical and demographic profile

Saharanpur forms the most northerly position of the Doab land that stretches between the holy rivers of the Ganges and the Yamuna, the Shivalik hills rise above it on the northern frontier. The portion of Doab in which Saharanpur is situated was probably one of the first region of upper India occupied by the Aryans colonisers as they spread eastward from the Punjab.

As regards its physical features, the north and the north east of the district is surrounded by Shivalik hills and separates it from the Dehradun district in the recently created state of Uttranchal. The river Yamuna forms its boundary in the west that separates it from Karnal and Yamunanagar districts of Haryana. In the East lies the district of Haridwar which was the part of district Saharanpur before 1989 and in the south lies the district Muzafarnagar. At the time of the British Rule District Muzafarnagar was also a part of district Saharanpur. The district is in a rectangular shape and it lies between 29 degrees 34 minutes 45 seconds and 30 degrees 21 minutes 30 seconds north latitude and 77 degrees 9 minutes and 78 degrees 14 minutes 45 seconds east longitude. Its total area is 3860 sq. Kilometers. According to 1991 census the population of Saharanpur is 2309029.

The district presents more appearances than any other portion of the Doab and Gangetic plain as a whole. It is true that most of the varieties of features and differs in general area belongs to the upland Bangar which stretches in a continuous line unto Allahabad i.e. junction of the two great rivers and on the either side is the broad and low lying valley full of swamps and back waters with wide open grass plains and Tamarisk jungle but in the north, there are the steep hills of Shivalik chain which appear in a far more marked form in Saharanpur than any other district of Uttar Pardesh while below the hills are to be seen in a modified form the prevailing characteristics of the Bhabar and Tarai region. The main characteristics of the district can be divided into four parts.

1. Shivalik hill tract
2. The Bhabar land
3. Bangar land
4. Khadar land (Yamuna, Hindon)

Yamuna is the important river of the district. Apart from this Solani, Hindon, Ratmau, Nagdev have also played an important role in the physical reconstruction of the district. All the rivers of the district submerge either in Yamuna or in the Ganges.

Climate

The climate of Saharanpur resembles the average climate of Uttar Pardesh in general but its northern position and its proximity to the hills give its on peculiarity. Though the region lies well outside the tropics yet its climate like that of the rest of North India is essentially tropical because of Himalayan chain. It belongs to the uppermost part of the upper Ganga plain which is a sub-humid region between the dry Punjab plain and the humid middle Ganga plain within the monsoonal region of the great plains and naturally partakes the characteristics of the to adjoining regions.

The average temperature recorded is 23.3 degree centigrade June being the hottest month while January is the coldest one. The highest percentage of humidity i.e. 72 to 85 % is found during the rainy season at the lower range of humidity between 29 to 51.5 % is recorded in the summers. The eastern part of the region is more humid then the western part and relative humidity tends to increase in the winters. Pressure of the region is inversely related to the temperature-July recording the lowest while December recording the highest pressure. The average pressure of the district is found to be around 979 lbs.

Industries

Eventhough Saharanpur district does not have enough mineral resources many agro-based industries have developed in the region. Many cottage industries have also developed. Here sugar industry and paper, paperboard industry is found. The large-scale production of sugarcane encourages the sugar industry. Saharanpur is famous for its wood carving industry. The Shivalik range provides the raw material for the industry. Woodwork is exported to countries like Germany, U.K., USA, Canada, Kuwait, Sweden, Singapore and many others.

Transportation

The development of transport system depends on the physical features and economic utility of the region. Transport system in the Bhabar region has not developed much due to mountainous rivers and uneven topography. In the Bangar region the roads and railway lines are developed due to favourable conditions like fertile land, high density of population and topography.

Trade

From the viewpoint of industries and trade the region has great importance. The region produces agro-based and industrial goods, which are sent to the various parts of the country. The trade flourishes and can be divided into three categories:
a. Food-grains, Vegetables and fruits. Milk and milk products.
b. Agro-based industries: the most important industries are - sugar, gur, (cotton) textile and cigarettes.
c. Industrial goods- paper, sugarcane, hosiery material & wood carving.

Besides exporting goods from here the region also imports coal, iron - ore, cement, salt, petroleum products, fertilizers, oil - seeds and leather from Punjab, Haryana, Rajsthan, Delhi and Bihar.