Why Bareilly
Bareilly is a major metropolis situated in western Uttar Pradesh along the fertile Indo-Gangetic Plains. Positioned on the left bank of the Ramganga River and surrounded by several minor tributaries, the city sits roughly 252 kilometres northwest of Lucknow and 265 kilometres east of New Delhi. It serves as the regional headquarters for the Bareilly division and is historically celebrated as the central hub of the Rohilkhand region.
The city's origins trace back to 1537, when it was founded by a local chieftain before coming under Mughal rule. Modern Bareilly was established in 1657 by Mughal governor Mukrand Rai. The surrounding region holds deep historical and archaeological significance, most notably at the nearby ancient site of Ahichchhatra in Northern Panchala. Associated with Mahabharata lore as well as early visits by Gautama Buddha and Jain Tirthankara Parshva, the district has yielded historic coins, painted grey ware, and famous terracotta artwork spanning thousands of years.
Bareilly subsequently became the capital of the Rohilkhand Kingdom, later passing to the State of Oudh and the British East India Company. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the city emerged as a major center of resistance under Khan Bahadur Khan. In cultural terms, Bareilly is widely recognized as the origin of the Barelvi movement, a Sunni Islamic movement established by scholar Ahmad Raza Khan. His shrine, the Bareilly Dargah, draws millions of pilgrims every year during the Urs-e-Razavi festival.
Nicknamed "Nath Nagri" due to its collection of ancient Shiva temples, Bareilly is also known as "Jumka City." Historically famous for crafts like lac bangles, glasswork, and wire drawing, the modern urban center has grown into a major hub for furniture manufacturing as well as the trade of sugar, cereals, and cotton. The central area revolves around the bustling Kutubkhana intersection, while the wider city encompasses historic military cantonments, older core quarters, and expanding northern suburbs.
Bareilly experiences a humid subtropical climate characterized by hot summers and cool winters, with the highest temperatures occurring in June and the lowest in January. Monsoon rains bring the majority of the annual precipitation between July and August. Travelers can reach the city via Bareilly Airport, which offers direct flights to major destinations including Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Bangalore, or through the prominent Bareilly Junction railway station and Izzatnagar rail hub.
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