Bareilly, the administrative headquarters of Bareilly District
, is situated on the banks of
, in central Uttar Pradesh
. It is a prominent center for the trade of agricultural produce in the district. Bareilly is 250 km northwest of Lucknow
The town, which was founded in 1537, was built mainly by the Mughal governor Makrand Ray. It later became the capital of the Rohillas, a migrant tribe, which had gained control of the town. The ruler of Oudh defeated them with the aid of the British in 1774, only to cede the territory to the East India Company in 1801. The uprising of 1857 against the British had its center in this small town.
Bareilly has a number of small-scale industries that include sugar processing, cotton ginning. The largest camphor-making unit in the world is situated here.
The Bareilly College (1837) and the Rohilkhand University housed here are reputed educational centers. There are many old mosques in the town. The ancient fortress city of Ahicchattra in the outskirts is another place worth visiting.
Bareilly is equidistant from New Delhi and Lucknow. It is served by both Indira Gandhi International Airport and Amausi Airport. Bareilly Railway Station is on the
Moradabad- Shahjanapur line. The
National Highway 24 passes through Bareilly.