MORADABAD, Uttar Pradesh

Main Attraction: BRASSWARE INDUSTRY

Moradabad popularly known as “Pital Nagari” assumes significance in brass industry since long. The brassware and carved brassware goods are most important products manufactured and exported from this city to other parts of the country and abroad. Keeping in view rapid growth of this industry, state government had established U.P. State Brassware Corporation in 1972 in this city. This establishment is helping in procurement of raw material as well as marketing of their products at remunerative rates in India and abroad. To improve the brassware production in the district a Pital Nagri complex is under construction.

The brass art objects, utility articles and utensils are exported to U.S.A., West Germany, Canada, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, U.K. and other European and South East countries. The manufacture of brass articles occupies the prominent position in the manufacturing activities of the district accounting for 60 per cent of the total industrial production. These industries are located mainly in Moradabad city but also these are spread over the outskirts of Sambhal and Chandausi towns. Besides the brassware, stainless steel and alluminium utensil industries are also growing very fast in the city. The utensils of the alloy brass were carved and embodied in the city like, tumblers, pots, kitchen utensils, flower pots, ‘surmadani’ and other decoration pieces are famous all over the country and abroad prominently known as ‘Moradabadi product’ which has its own particular influence for the lovers of art and crafts.

Brief History:

Moradabad district, aptly nicknamed “Pital Nagri” (Brass Town), was in ancient times a part of kingdom of north Panchala Desh with its capital at Ahichhatra (Now in Bareilly district). It is said that during the regin of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the governor of Sambhal, Rustam Khan built a fort and compelled traders and agriculturist to settle around it. Initially, he named it as Rustam Nagar but later on in order to avoid the annoyance of the emperor, he renamed it as Moradabad after the name of young Prince, Murad. It was established in 1600 by Murad, the son of the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan; as a result the city came to known as Moradabad. Physical development of the city was started after the construction of Jama Masjid by Rustom Khan in 1632.In almost all the tahsils of district, there are old mounds, which are said to be the ruins of ancient buildings or habitations.

Panchala rulers who then held dominance over this region were thrown away by the Kurus of Hastinapur but subsequently towards the middle of fourth century BC, the entire Panchala region including this district was annexed to Nanda empire and continued as such for a quarter of a century later, before they were also overpowered by Maurya empire. The Mauryas then ruled over this region for the next century and a half. After the downfall of Kushans, Nanda dynasty also occupied this region but they were subdued by Samudra Gupt. The dominance of Gupta empire over this regin remained for the next two centuries and then the district came under the control of Maukahri kings of Kannauj after the downfall of Gupta empire and there after it remained under the reign of Harsha’s during 606 to 647 AD. After the death of Harsha, as in whole of the northern region, in this district also, prevailed anarchy and confusion for quite some time. However, at later stages, Tomors and Clans of Gahadvala’s also ruled over this region. Again due to the defeat of the valiant King Prithvi Raj and later Jai Chandra at the hands of Shahab-uddin Ghauri, there was a state of confusion and lawlessness. Ultimately Katehriyas, Bargujars, Gaurs, Tomars and other clans of Rajputs united together with the sole objective of facing Muslim invasion and they continued their efforts for quite some time even after the establishment of Muslim outposts in some parts of the district. The Mughal invasion has, however, succeeded lateron when Babar became king of Delhi in 1526. After the accession of Humayun to the throne, the region was captured by Afghans under the leadership of Sher Shah for a short period but again during the reign of Akbar, the district was part of Sarkar of Sambhal. Rohilas also held their dominance in this region from time to time and Marathas too invaded this region quite frequently but were driven away by Shuja-ud-daula’s troops.

Moradabad district has played an important role in India's freedom struggle. On May 13, 1857, when news of struggle for independence broke out, people in this district did not lag behind in joining freedom struggle. In fact freedom fighters in this district formed their own government. Later on in 1930, the civil disobedience movement launched by Gandhiji and Quit India Movement in 1942 got strong support from the local people and both Hindus and Muslims marched together for the cause of country’s independence.

Moradabad has the credit for giving the final shape to Mahatma Gandhi's Non - Cooperation Movement. This land has produced several brave soldiers of freedom struggle and the prominent amongst them are Amba Prasad, Prof. Ram Saran, Maulana Mohd. Ali, Maulavi Abdul Salam, Dau Dayal Khanna and Pandit Shankar Dutt, & Amba Prasad etc. spent his whole life in freedom struggle and jailed for about one and half year in 1897. Prof. Ram Saran Known as Gandhi of Moradabad district was born in 1894 in a middle class family. He was the first person of Moradabad who left this Vakalat during Non-Cooperation Movement. In 1923, he became a Professor of Economics in Kashi Vidyapeeth. Lal Bahadur Shastri, Kamla Pati Tripathi, and T. N. Singh were his main students. Maulana Mohd. Ali was a great man born in Moradabad whose fame crossed international borders and he was a complete patriot. He had the privilege of presiding over an open convention of Indian National Congress and scarified his life for country's independence. Maulana Mohd. Ali started Khilafat movement against the British in 1918. This movement was so popular that everybody became familiar with Maulana's name. Maulavi Abdul Salam was a frontline patriot of Moradabad district born on 22nd Sept. 1888. His whole life was devoted to Congress. All important national leaders used to stay at his residence Darul Salam to prepare line sketch of different movements. Despile being a Zamindar, he always favoured landless and small farmers. He was a strong supporter of Hindu Muslim unity. The credit for revolutionary events which took place in Moradabad district goes to Dau Dayal Khanna born on 19 Nov.1910. He left his studies in 18 years of age to participate in the freedom movement and established Moradabad Youth League. Other prominent freedom fighter from Moradabad includes Pandit Shanker Dutt Sharma, Banwari Lala Rahbar, Zafar Hasan, Wasti Vakil, Lala Bhaqwat Saran, Dr. Narottam Saran, etc.