56

CHAPTER 3

TOWNSCAPE OF ALIGARH CITY

The present chapter has its purpose to explain natural and cultural circumstances in

which Aligarh city is exercising its influence on its countryside. The concept of urban

influence as illustrated in the thesis of urban gradients implies an isotropic surface.

By this surface is meant a homogenous plain without noise elements. To obtain such

a surface in the real world for spatial analysis of urban influence is impossible as

there are various natural and cultural sources of noise and aberrations present in

every place. Therefore, the present chapter is an introduction to the natural and

cultural environment of koil Tahsil in which milieu the population of the area lives,

accepts and rejects urban influence and makes decision about its urban environment.

3.1 EVOLUTION OF TOWNSCAPE OF ALIGARH CITY

The interplay of historical and socio economic factors of a city is helped to estimate

the physical and social basis of a modern city. The Aligarh district has produced a

unique social fabric which is potent and quite fascinating. Wave after wave of people

of various racial stocks, cultural traits, and philosophical and technological

paraphernalia and from within and outside the country, sometimes streaked and

sometimes merged with each other in the environmental framework of Ganga-

Yamuna interfluves in western Uttar Pradesh and have produced a complex yet

fascinating pattern(Aziz, 1989).

3.1.1 Historical Development

In this context, the history of Aligarh city is not only related with the rise and fall of

the cultural and political history of the middle Ganga-Yamuna Doab, but it

represented to in its townscape as well. Aligarh which originated in the long hazy

past is much more ancient than it is thought to be and as happens with ancient

settlement, its name and sometimes the more spelling changed from time to time. It is

very difficult to comment on the basis of archeology that when was Aligarh city

founded but it is a fact that today’s upper fort (Balai Qila) is locally known as upper

kot as settlement sites. Evidence to the conviction that, the early township evolved

from a growing village of functional diversity in its own esteem rather than the

creation of a settlement on a virgin site (Aziz, 1989). The early history of the region

57

is fragmentary and uncertain. The antiquity of the district itself is shrouded in

mystery as it does not mention in any epigraphically record before the 12th

century

A.D.

Historically and texturally the core of the city, this core is superimposed on

the site which dates back to pre Christian era and where debris of various cultures

layer after layer in vertical sequences has given height an antiquity. The early

township evolves from a growing village of functional diversity in its own esteem

rather than the creation of a settlement in a virgin site (Aziz 1989).

The early history of the region in which Aligarh city lies in frequently and

uncertain. The antiquity of the town itself is shrouded in mystery as it is not mention

in any epigraphically record be earlier than 12th

century A.D.

58

MORPHOLOGICAL GROWTH OF ALIGARH CITY

(Ancient, Medieval and Recent Periods)

Fig. 3.1

59

3.1.2 Ancient Period:

Aligarh is the most recent name for the 600 BC settlement that it was. The district

was a part of Pandava kingdom (Siddiqui, 1981) known by the names pelted as Kol,

Koil and Cole. Origin of this name is debatable for there are various views on it. In

Puranas Kol was malecha (dirty, mean) tribe, or a mixed caste, or aboriginal caste. In

some other ancient texts Kol is variously referred as a place name, mountain, sage,

demon and jhil (lake) (Siddiqui, 1981).

The most striking feature of koil was the balai Qila Upper Fort, i.e, a Fort

on the great Mound (Lelyveld, 1996). Accumulation of successive settlements is

far back as the Buddhist period during the 1st century B.C.

From 1194 to 1526, this region was ruled by four dynasties namely, the

slaves from 1194-1290, Khilji’s from 1290-1320, Tughlaq’s from 1320-1414,

and Lodhi’s from 1451-1526 (Qureshi, 1997). In the latter Medieval period it was

ruled by Mughals.

Kolis are a tribe of professional weavers. It is possible that a settlement of

these tribes, before Turkish conquest gave Kol its name, for in the Census of 1872

there were some 35,000 Kolis in this District (Siddiqui, 1981).7 The fact that this area

has been known for cotton cultivation throughout recorded history lends credibility to

the view of Kol being named after a weaver tribe.

Jhils and depressions abound in this area and in olden times very many more

depressions and jhils, which have silted up in the course of time, might have existed

and a settlement coming up at the bank or in the vicinity of a Kol (Jhil) is also likely

and that could have given the place its name. From medieval times onwards the name

Kol, Koil has stayed and even today one of the administrative unit (Tahsil) of Aligarh

District is called Koil. In medieval period it was renamed many a time as

Muhammadgarh, Sabitgarh, Ramgarh and ‘Aligarh’have been the different names

assigned to koil at different times.

The legend has it that Aligarh District was part of the pandav kingdom

(Mahabharat) who moved to Ahar in Bulandshahr district after the destruction of

Hastinapur. Atkinson is predisposed to regard Aligarh as a Buddhist settlement and

has referred to the discovery of buddhist remains at Balai Qila (Atkinson, 1875).

Nevill is also contends the existence of Buddhist habitation in and around the present

60

city (Nevill, 1909). Later from 2nd century A.D to 9th century A.D. this area was

ruled by Mauryas, Sakas, Kushans, Guptas and Gujar-Pratihars.

Archeological remains dated 465-66 AD Gupta period ranging from 5th to 9th

Century A.D. have come to light suggesting that Kol was under Gupta and later

under Harsha Empire. Besides this several ancient Hindu sites are found at Jalali,

Khera and Bajhera west of Akrabad, at Khera near Hathras and at Tappal (Nevill,

1928).From 9th century A.D. the Kol region was under the domain of Gujar-

Pratihars. One of the ancient localities identified in Aligarh city is Achal Taal (tank)

area in the south east. It is evident that this area dates back to the 10th

century AD

(Siddiqui, 1981).

3.1.3 Medieval Period

During Medieval Period From 1194 to 1526, this region was ruled by four

dynasties namely, the slaves from 1194-1290, Khilji’s from 1290-1320,

Tughlaq’s from 1320-1414, and Lodhi’s from 1451-1526 (Qureshi, 1997). In the

latter medieval period it was ruled by Mughals. In this period a considerable

change has occurred and the region experienced rejuvenation (Nevill, 1928). The end

of the 12th

century AD marks the beginning of Muslim invasions and administration

in this region and tilting of military balances. The fortress of Kol was controlled by

Qutubuddin Aibak in 1194 and Hisamuddin Ghulbak was appointed its governor

(Siraj) and constructed a minar (minaret) in 1253 at Kol to commemorate the victory

of Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud. The minar stood on a high ground of Balaiqila

(Atkinson, 1875).

It was in this period that Umar Khan who was given Kol by Sikandar Lodi

built the fort of Mohammadgarh in 1525, which was afterwards known as Aligarh

(Nevill, 1928).

Kol appears to be an important centre of wine making (around 1288 A.D.), for

its wines were good enough to be served to the king. The place also emerged as an

important centre of Muslim learning and one of its scholars was picked by Allauddin

Khilji for imparting education in Delhi. The mosque of Balai Qila was built during

this period and renovated four, five times by successive rulers. Ibne-Batuta who

strayed into Ko1 in 1342 described it as a fine town surrounded by mango groves and

noticed cotton cultivation, green plantations and castor oil trees in its hinterland

(Siddiqui, 1981and Nevill, 1909).

61

In the beginning of Lodhi period from mid 15th to early 16th century, Kali

mosque was constructed in Mohalla Bani Israilan and carried out whose opening

towards Delhi, Agra etc.names have survived to this day, viz. Delhi Gate, Madar

Gate (originally Budaon Gate), Turkman Gate and Sasni Gate. A portion of the wall

and a Gate can still be seen. A moat with existed circumscribed the rampart and the

name of locality called Khai Dora (Khai means ditch) reminds of its existence

(Siddiqui, 1981).

Throughout the early medieval period Kol appears as an important city. The

term khitta was used for Kol, a term which is commonly used for a large city or

metropolis (Siddiqui, 1981).

The second quarter of 16th century till the middle of the 19th century, Mughal

Empire established and flourished. Kol remained an important place through are -

Mughal period visited by Mughal kings. During Babar's period many buildings must

have been built for stone were cut daily for the purpose and there is no traces of these

buildings and Babri Mandi (market) is the only reminder of the period and Babur is

first Mughal emperor to visited this place (Siddiqui, 1981). The district remained in

hands of Humayun, the successor of Babur for quite some time.

During Akbar'stime Kol was the capital of an administrative sarkar which was

divided into four Dasturs (revenue circles) and twenty one Mahalas (parganas). Its

importance is testified by the fact that it had 4,000 cavalry and 79,000 infantry and

the District was in a high state of tillage (Nevill, 1928).

Three monuments of Akbar's period are situated in the Bagh-i-Gesu Khan,

now a general grave yard in Kol, one being the tomb of Mir Gesu Khan, a Shia who

had built the Idgah in 1553.The region was an important agricultural region and was

very thickly populated mostly produced foodgrains and cash crops particularly indigo

and cotton.

During Akbar's successors, Jehangir and Shahjehan (1605-1655) retained

administrative set up of Akbar's period. Towards the beginning of 18th century, after

the death of Aurangzeb, his successor appointed Nand Ram Jat as the faujdar (army

Commander) of Aligarh District. Mughal power started dwindling in Aligarh District

and Jats started emerging as a powerful zamindar caste of peasants.

62

For most of its medieval history, it was a walled city with gates. Jats emerged

as a powerful caste, displacing and dispossessing Rajputs from the area. The rise of

Jats was at the expense of Rajputs and there was bitter enmity between them as noted

by Smith.Aurangzeb’s death in 1707 marked the beginning of decline of Mughal

period.

At the same time, Sabit Khan, a Turani officer was appointed governor of

Koil by Mohammad shah. Sabit Khan played a very active role in the construction of

buildings at Koil.In the earlier half of eighteenth century, Sabit Khan was appointed

Governor of Kol by Muhammad Shah. He constructed a fort known as Sabitgarh,the

tomb of Allah Baksh (1717), reconstructed the Jama Masjid (1724), and constructed

a tank for water supply linked with Jama Masjid (through an underground channel.

He also constructed a market at Harduaganj. Kol during his time was a prosperous

and flourishing city, yielding revenue of about two crores annually (Siddiqui, 1981).

After the Maratha incursion, in 1754 Surajmal Jat took the fort of Sabitgarh

and made it his capital, changing the name to Ramgarh in 1757. In 1775 Najaf khan,

Mughal cammandar, assimilated the district and sent his lieutenant, Frasyab who laid

a sieze of Ramgarh Fort and got it vacated after a few months. It received its present

appellation of Aligarh in the time of Afsaryab Khan, who succeeded Safdar Jang, the

NawabVazir of Avadh, origin with of as Amir-ul-Umra in 1782.But finally the fort

was taken by Marathas in 1788.

3.1.4 British Period

Marathas appointed Count De Biogne, French as their commander in the region. De

Boigne made Aligarh his headquarters in 1791 with aview to look after his own and

that of Mahadji Sindhia's interests. During his administration Aligarh, in contrast to

neighbouring regions, enjoyed a period of comparative peace and stability. While

villages of Doab were deserted under condition of anarchy, villages under De Boigne

were engaged in cultivation. Princes of surrounding states paid respect to him to get

favours of the victorious General. De Boigne strengthened the bastions of Aligarh

Fort and established a cantonment outside the present Sulaiman Hall. In order to

improve the economic conditions of the District he allowed European indigo

cultivators to settle in his jagirs. Jourdan French settled at Khair, Orr at Mendu,

Thornton at Kol and Machhua, Long Croft at Kol and Jalali and Roberston and

63

Steward at Maloi and Allahdadpur. Indigo was chief exporting commodity and was

sent down the Ganges from Farrukhabad to Calcutta (Siddiqui, 1975).

After De Biogne, his trusted general Cullier Perron was sent by Marathas to

take his place. Perron reached the climax of his career in 1801 and received tributes

from various Rajput chiefs. Perron strengthened the Aligarh Fort and fortifications of

Kol city and also enlarged the cantonment. He also built a garden for his residence,

known as Saheb Bagh in 1802. He previously lived in a huge house outside the walls

of the Kol, on a site now occupied by Danpur house, Chhattari compound, Aligarh

District Hospital and Malaviya Pustakalaya (Siddiqui, 1981).

Aligarh Fort as it stands today is mainly the work of French engineers under

De Boigne and Perron. It had ten sides with a bastion at each angle, a1ld a moat 100'-

200' wide, 30 feet deep having always 10 feet deep water surrounding the fort. It was

situated in the midst of a plain interspersed with swamps and marshes getting water-

logged during monsoons making it completely inaccessible(Siddiqui, 1981).

At the same time the British had extended their frontiers in the North India

under the command of general Lake. They besieged the fort of Sasni, Bijairgarh and

Kachaura in February 1803. In September 1803 British army attacked Aligarh Fort

and captured it. Before the British took possession, Aligarh and its surrounding

countryside had declined considerably. British efforts to improve the situation,

notably construction of Ganga canal in 1840 were of dubious value(Atkinson, 1875).

The consolidation of British rule and fall of theMughals was a prelude to

some great tempest which came in the form of mutiny of 1857. The news of this

revolt reached Aligarh on 12th

may 1857. The first freedom fighter in Aligarh was a

Brahmin. After this the men broke into open mutiny and compelled the British civil

residents to quit Aligarh. On 29th

of May it was again occupied by the British. On

30th

June the Muslims of Koil raised up the green flag to relegate the Britishers to the

city gate. A new panchayat was established by Subedar Mohammad Ghaus khan with

Nasimullah Khan Incharge of the city. Mahbub Khan the tehsildar and Hasan Khan

the Kotwal (Nevill, 1928). The attempts of this mutiny eventually failed.

64

3.1.5 The Aligarh Movement

After the cataclysm of 1857, India was in a state of traditions from medievalism to

modernism. British, held Muslims responsible for therevolt and they were the target

of victimization and to reduce them to the lowest ebb of degradation. As a result, the

Muslim resisted the British. They did not embrace western education and had

confined themselves to their shells.

The second half of the 19th

century was the most critical period in the history

of Indian Muslims. They were steeped in ignorance,conservatism, traditionalism and

superstitions. The community lost all the vitality, vigour and the creative force of a

living nation. At this critical juncture SirSyed Ahmad khan, a judge appeared on the

social horizon of India. With the help of his colleagues he started the Mohammadan

Anglo Oriental college in 1877 at Aligarh which developed into the Aligarh Muslim

University in 1920 (Mohammad, 1999). The main Aspects of Aligarh Movement

were social reforms. This renaissance had changed the course of the Muslim

community.

3.1.6 Urban Morphology

The Aligarh city covers an area of 34.98 sq km of which only 61 per cent is

developed. Of the developed area 49.1 per cent is used for residential purposes, 28.1

per cent for transport, 9.4 per cent for industrial and commercial purposes, 7 per cent

for public utility, 2.1 per cent is under parks and open spaces and only 0.4 per cent is

used for recreational purposes. The city is divided into 70 wards which spread over

158 residential localities (mohallas).

Internal Structure of the city or Morphology of the city is an important aspect

of urban personality. It refers to the physical arrangement or structure of a city. Its

patterns of roads, streets and buildings, their functions, densities and layouts etc

(Brush, 1962).Two types of urban structures co-exist in a city, one organized round

the congested city centre and another round railway colonies and cantonments which

emerged under the British influence towards the then peripheries. Morphologically,

the city of Aligarh is situated in the central depression of the district. Figure shows

the major strategic location of Aligarh city. It also depicts the major and minor road

and railway network. On the basis of Morphology Aligarh city has been divided into

four distinct parts and four zones.

65

Fig. 3.2

66

Ward No.

Ward Ward No.

Ward Ward No.

Ward Ward No.

Ward

1 Indra Gandhi Khair Rd. 19 Nai Basti 37 Jamalpur 55 Usman Para-3 2 Sarai Garhi 20 Exhibition Grd. 38 Kala Mahal 56 Brahmapuri 3 Nagla Kalar 21 Slaughter House 39 Jiwangarh 57 Iglas Road P. St. 4 Sarai Lawaria 22 Sanicheri Penth 40 Badar Bagh 58 Medical College 5 Sarai Kaba 23 Kalideh 41 Shivpuri 59 Nagla Jamalpur 6 Pala Sahibabad 24 Kishanpur 42 Vikasnagar A.D.A Col. 60 University Area 7 Dori Nagar 25 Sarai Hakim 43 Rawan Tila 61 Kela Nagar 8 Nauner Gate 26 Sarai Nawab 44 Begum Bagh 62 Shahjamal Area 9 Naurangabad 27 Kanwari Ganj 45 Zohra Bagh 63 Manik Chowk

10 Delhi Gate 28 Bhamola 46 Jamalpuri 64 Khai Dora 11 Beema Nagar 29 Sudamapuri 47 Ashok Nagar 65 Bhujpura 12 Sarai Deen Dayal 30 Fire Brigade 48 Nagla Tikona 66 Sir Syed Nagar 13 Nagla Masani 31 Begpur 49 Lakh Raj Nagar 67 Tan Tan Para 14 Sarai Bala. 32 Gandhi Nagar 50 Rasal Ganj 68 Hamdard Nagar 15 Krishnapuri 33 Kishore Nagar 51 Ghanshyampuri 69 Badam Nagar 16 Durga Puri 34 Sarai Pakki 52 Firdous Nagar 70 Baniya Para 17 Chawni 35 Dodhpur 53 Maulana Azad Nagar 18 Gambhirpura 36 Avas Vikas Colony 54 A.D.A Colony

Fig 3.3

67

Fig. 3.4

68

i. Achal Tal Area

The first zone comprises south and south-eastern part of the city, dating back to 10th

century.it is largely inhabited by the Hindus. The most conspicuous landmark

structure is the temple of Achaleshwar, on the edge of the Achal tank, a reservoir of

considerable size filled with water the canal (Nevill, 1928). Evidence of a fully

fledged settlement are lacking in this area. In later periods development of this area

took place between the Manik Chowk and the Madar Gate. Achal Taal area is the

oldest settled part of the city. There are few remains of that period except Achal Tal

(tank), of masonry and a temple known as Achaleshwar whose antiquity is beyond

doubt. This part of the city is well described by Ibne-Batuta in his travelogue.

ii. The Upper Kot Area

The second zone of Aligarh city is the central and western part of the city.

Thegrowth pattern and consequent morphological components of Aligarh city are

rather distinct and are woven round the Upper Kot (Balai Qila) which historically and

texturally represents the core and centre of the city. Itwas themedieval history;when a

walled city with gates opening towards Delhi, Agra, Budaun etc. the city expansion

has experienced a concentric growth (Fig. 3.4). This core area has very dense land

use congestion and the highest residential density. In this area the household and

cottage industries have grown in the last 150 years. Ironically, there is acute shortage

of open spaces, parks, playgrounds, public health and educational institutions in this

locality. The antiquity of sequential occupation, contained within the wall has

produced a high level of congestion and a very high population density. Most of the

buildings are double storied and high. Larger havelis (mansions) were

compartmentalized by succeeding generations adding to residential congestion. Over

crowed residential areas are stacked within the framework of narrow circuitous lanes,

by lanes and blind alleys.

Aligarh city had expanded considerably by adding Sarais (inns),which were

lying outside the limits of the city, along the roads leading to the city have become

full-fledged mohallas and were drawn into the city matrix. Aligarh was an important

tagging post for merchants. They and their animals stayed in carrvan sarais. These

sarais have been drawn into the city web later on. There are still many mohallas in

the city whose names testify to this past, such as Sarai Rahman, Sarai Hakim, Sarai

69

Sultani, Sarai Qazi, Sarai Bhuki, Sarai Mian, Sarai Biwi, Sarai Bala, Sarai Qutub,

Sarai Kaba, Sarai Vrindaban etc.

This older part of the city is largely inhabited by Muslims these families mostly

belong to the working class and middle class people. Some of the families living here

since the medieval period and represent the social elites of the area. This area is

mostly dominated by business class people, who own household industries like locks,

biscuits, muttery, building; fitting and other hardware industries are very common.

This has improved the well being of the people, but on the other hand it has polluted

the whole environment and also led to the congestion in the area, which has affected

the health of the people.

iii. Civil Lines Area

The third zone or part of Aligarh city is civil line Area. This Area is a British period

constructed zone is a completely segregated zone from the first two zones. Its

remoteness from earlier areas of ancient and medieval sentiments speaks of the

British intentions of keeping a distance from commoners and from the people to be

governed. Development of railway line in the latter halves of the 19th century,

dividing the city into a western and eastern half, made the segregation of this area

more pronounced. This segregation, however, was overwhelmed by the post-

independence development of the city.

The principle lines of development were along the Marris road, University

road, Anupshahr road and Ramghat road. All the aforesaid roads have a north-south

orientation and seem to have been oriented with reference to the railway station. This

area has large spacious houses with lawns in front, kitchen and gardens in the

backyard. It represents a refreshing contrast to the congested area of the old city. But

now it is getting too congested.

The Civil Lines area as the third zone, developed after the British hegemony

over the city, was established in the early nineteenth century and though much

enlarged now, its basic layout is that which was established during the British period,

in the 19th century. This area was developed by the British in early 19th century. It

has a completely segregation in from the first two. The principal lines of

development were the Marris road, University road, Anupshahar road and the

Russellganj (now Rasalganj). The grain of this zone has a linear north-south bias. All

70

the aforesaid roads have a north-south trend and seem to have been oriented with

reference to the railway station.

The British brought to bear upon Indian scene their experience of town

building and made straight broad roads, buildings were set well back on them. Clock-

Tower, Press, Church, Collectorate bear the imprints of the British period. This area

is sparsely built. Large spacious houses with lawns in fronts and kitchen gardens in

the backyard, present a refreshing contrast to the congested and dilapidated areas of

old city.

Some areas in a well demarcated zone but appear in the form of small clusters

which have developed in the post-independence period. Most of them are residential

but some are industrial. These areas were well laid out on rectangular patterns. Many

of these areas were, till recent past, villages, well outside the city limits and its

infrastructure but then the sprawling city swapped their lands and occupations.

Villages like Kishanpur, Dodhpur, Begpur, Jamalpur, Bhamola and Nagla Baraula

witnessed in mute silence their transformation. New industrial and residential

colonies have developed in many of them, in post--independence period, like the

Industrial colony, Tube-well. Loco, Medical, Begpur, Kela Nagar, Dodhpur and

Jamalpur Colonies. They have developed on the northern circumference of the city.

On the southern, Jawalapuri, Mahendra nagar, Saheb Singh nagar and Nagla Masani

colonies have developed.

During 1970s and 1980s, Aligarh city got more importance with the

installation of Narora Atomic Power Station on the bank of Ganga, Radio

Transmission Center, Television Relay Center and Harduaganj Thermal Power

Station. Afterwards there was a long chain of constructions like F.C.I. Godowns,

Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) head quarters, CRPF and RAF head quarters,

Qasimpur colony, police colony, Dhanipur agricultural Market, Sarsol Fruit Market

etc. All these projects have swallowed thousands of hectares of productive lands in

the outskirts of Aligarh city.

iv. Peripheral Ring Area

Lastly are the most recently developed areas of the city lying on its peripheral ring.

Many of these areas are still with the villages. These are the areas marked with

dominance of one or the other functions. These areas are developing at a very fast

71

rate. Some of the new colonies developed are Dhorra, Hamdard Nagar, Maulana

Azad Nagar, Manzoorgarhi, Nagla Patwari, Firduas Nagar and Sarsol in the northern

fringe. Ramghat road in the eastern fringe, G.T. Road and Agra Road in the southern

fringe Mathura road and Khair Road in the western fringe of the Aligarh city (Asif

and Rahman, 2013).

Like other cities of the state, Aligarh too has a distinct demarcation between

the old and the new parts. Delhi-Kolkata Railway Line separates the old and the new

parts of the city. The old part of the city comprises 48 wards and the new part 22

wards. The old city presents the picture of decadence having narrow lanes and roads,

old and congested houses with improper educational and health facilities, and no

open spaces. The new area is much clean than the old part, which comprises of

Aligarh Muslim University, which spreads over thousands of hectares of land. But

new residential colonies and innumerable shopping centers have sprung up making

this part as congested. Gradually the outskirts of the city are expanding encroaching

upon rural areas and therefore, slums have emerged at a rapid rate (Asif and Rahman,

2013).

3.2 URBAN LAND USE

Like other cities of India, Aligarh has a distinct demarcation between the old and new

quarters. Delhi-Kolkata railway line broadly separates the old and the new parts of

the city. The urban land use of Aligarh city shows that the city covers an area of

about six thousand hectares of which only 67.48 per cent of the area is developed

while rest of the area is underdeveloped. The urban land use pattern shows that there

is no clear-cut demarcation between the land use patterns but the functions are mixed

(Asif and Rahman, 2013).

The Table 3.1 shows that, of the total developed area of Aligarh city

comprises 62.91 per cent and undeveloped 37.08 per cent. It is further seen from

table that out of the total developed area, 77.87 per cent under residential purposes,

8.55 per cent for educational, 1.42 per cent recreational, and 3.6 and 3.18 per cent for

transport and industries, respectively. In most of the areas industrial and business

activities are mixed with both residential and business activities in various

proportions. Some household industries are located in old parts of the city and

piecemeal production is carried out in houses extensively. There are exclusively

72

residential areas which have developed on the peripheral zones (Asif and Rahman,

2013).

Table 3.1 Developed and Undeveloped Area of Land Use in Aligarh City

Urban Land Use Area (in ha.) Percentage

A. Developed area 4654 62.91

Residential 3625 77.87

Educational institutions 398 8.55

Commercial 190 4.00

Transport 169 3.60

Industrial areas 156 3.18

Recreational areas 89 1.42

Play grounds 27 0.08

B. Undeveloped area 2743 37.08

Total area 7397 100.00

Source: Office of the Aligarh Development Authority (ADA)

3.3 PHYSICAL SETTING IN ALIGARH

3.3.1 Location

Aligarh city is located in the western part of the state of Uttar Pradesh (27˚ 53’ North

latitude and 78˚ 4’ East longitude). It is 126 kilometers from Delhi and 1,408

kilometers from Kolkata, the city is located in the Lodha blocks of Koiltahsiland it

lies almost in the centre of Aligarh district. It is the administrative headquarters of

Aligarh district in Uttar Pradesh. It is a second class city in the hierarchy of

towns/city and it city hasgrown to a big city from a very humble beginning due to its

site and situation.

3.3.2 Structure and Relief

The Ganga-Yamuna doab of which Aligarh forms a part in north India lies in a vast,

fertile and level alluvial plain, gently sloping from northwest to southeast. It consists

of the alluvium brought and deposited by the great Himalayan Rivers through

geological ages. The extensive deposits of very young age are the stratified alluvial

accumulations. The Gangetic trough, a cynclinorial depression between the

73

Peninsular India and the southern front of the Himalayas is of post-Tertiary formation

and filled up by Pleistocene alleviation (Oldham, Burrard and Glennie, 1938). The

great Austrian geologist Eduard Suess, holds that it is a ‘fore-deep ‘formed in front of

the resistant mass of the peninsula when the Tythyan sediments were thrust

southward and compressed against them. Burrard (1912) holds the view, that the

north Indian Plains represent a rift valley bounded by parallel faults on either side

with a maximum down-throw of 20 miles (Burrard, 1912). The depression perhaps

began to form in the upper Eocene and attained its greatest development during the

third Himalayan upheaval in the middle Miocene era. Since then it has been

gradually filled up by the sediments brought by the rivers, from northern and

southern sides, to form a leveled plain with a very gentle slope (Krishnan, 1956).

Aligarh district islocated in a shallow fluvial depression b/w the two major

rivers the Ganga and the Yamuna. The vast fertile, alluvial plain gently slopes from

north to the south and south-east. The ground elevation consists merely of slight

ridges of sand there are variety of minor landforms in this district due to the presence

of several depressions due to the fluvial action. The prominent among them is the

central depression where drainage is poor resulting in the foundation of jhils (lakes)

in which water gets collects. These ponds lead to salt encrustations on the surface

through capillary action and causing the formation of reh or Sajje (carbonate soda)

(Aziz, 1989).

The Aligarh city represents a shallow trough, lays in the central low lying

tracts b/w the Aligarh drain in the west and the stream Sirsa in the east. The Aligarh

city forms a part of the upper Ganga-Yamuna doab by river Ganga in the north east

and Yamuna in the north-west which is a plain of remarkable fertility. Slope of the

plain down gently from north to south and south- east. The district has elevation of

178 metres. The highest ground elevation is 195 metres at Chandaus and the lowest

173.8 metres in the south eastern part of the district. The surface is spotted with

several depressions formed by the river valleys and the natural vegetation, its

elevation consists of the simply slender ridges of sand. The most prominent of them

are three regular lines running from north to south. The first follows the boundary

between Tappal and Chandaus. The second may be seen along the right bank of a

stream Karwan, and the third which is more uninterrupted and less defined lies a few

kilometers in the east.

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3.3.3 Drainage:

The drainage pattern of Koil Tahsil is defective because of the few rivers found here.

The only two rivers are of some importance, the Kali and the Sengar Rivers.

Moreover, there is a network of canals which owing to the high banks obstruct the

surface flow of water and thus cause occasional inundation. Since the latter part of

the last century the canal department has made a large number of drains throughout

the Tahsil. In order to improve the drainage, at present 35 drains running more or less

parallel to the canals meander their way through a distance of no less than about 320

km. the Aligarh drain supplemented by the Jafri’s cut serves to drain off the central

swamps, while the Somna drain draws off the water of the south western depression.

The central portion of the Koil tahsil is drained by the Ganda nala, an

artificial channel. It is also called Bulandshahar district and flows southwards

through the Koil Tahsil to the west of Aligarh and runs through the Sasni and Hathras

Tahsils. In the upper part of its course it follows a natural line of drainage as far as

possible, but south of Aligarh it is merely an excavated drain.

In Koil Tahsil several important works have been undertaken. The oldest is

the palra drain which was constructed to improve the drainage system between the

Ganga canal and the kali nadi. This drain passes through the Pargana of Morthal for a

distance of 13.6 km before joining the Kali nadi lie the Jalali, Kanahla and Barotha

drains. The low country on the right bank of the Ganga canal is also well served. In

1864 Major Jeffery constructed a distributary drain from Aligarh fort to Adhwan jhil

(lake) covering a distance of 18.4 km, which is now known as Jafri cut. This been

supplemented by the Aligarh drainage cut which is also known as gandanala. This

nala was first connected with Jafri cut. But the latter was shut off when the northern

extension of the Aligarh cut was excavated. This action helped the process of a large

and long contemplated scheme of the improvement of drainage of Koil. In 1875, the

distributaries on the right bank were remodeled, with the object of opening out the

natural drainage obstructed by the canal and this cut was excavated along the main

depression above the Adhawan Jhil so as to connect the long chain of swamps. The

canal is small because it was feared that the Senger River could not hold the extra

water which passed into it but has since been proposed to deepen and widen the cut,

and also improve the bed of the river.

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The Aligarh city is not served by any stream but the district is well served by

a number of streams. There are 2 types of rivers, the dominating rivers have their

sources in snow covered mountain ranges of the Himalayas namely Ganga and the

Yamuna that are perennial other than perennial Himalayan rivers fringing eastern and

western border of Aligarh district, Kali nadi a non Himalayan perennial river

originating from the depression in Muzaffarnagar also radiates the district

overgrowing need of water. Nim, Chhoiya, Rind, Sengar, Karban and Patwahaare

seasonal rivulets which assist their perennial counter parts in draining the district.

The Aligarh drain flows through the central portion of the district passing through the

city. This networking of water channels helps in maintaining high level of water

table, a natural bounty for marginal farmers to carry on the intensive agriculture

(Nevill, 1928).

3.3.4 Climate

Climate forms an important part of the physical environment and influences human

life and its culture; it determines the life style, food habits and shelter. Two well-

marked features of climate condition of Aligarh city are the tropical monsoon type of

climate and continentally. Thus the seasonal rhythm is accentuated with the extremes

of the temperature variation. The city is hot and dry, temperature range b/w 46˚C to

4˚C. The coldest months of the year here are in December and January. When mean

temperature ranges between 15˚C and 12.2˚C. The hottest months of the year are

May and June when the mean temperature ranges b/w 32.2˚C and 33.8˚C. Mean

annual ranges from 65 cm to 75cm but variation of rainfall is considerable large.

Mild to moderate drought are common. 87 per cent of the total rainfall occurs in the

months of July and august by south west monsoon(Aziz,1989).

By the end of October rain almost ceases and winter conditions star

approaching the temperature is low during the winter season, through frosts are

neither of frequent occurrence nor of high intensity. Whereas only 11 days are

characterized with rain about 15mm, which effective to provide moisture to soil, the

climate of the city is similar to that of the Ganga-Yamuna Doab. In general the

climate pattern of Aligarh may be divided four distinct seasons (Aziz, 1989).

1. Cold weather season (December - February).

2. Hot weather season (March – mid June).

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3. Season of general rains (mid June- mid September).

4. Season of retreating monsoon (mid September - November).

The north east monsoon season from December to mid-June is characterized

by dry winds of continental origin and is marked by extremes of temperature. The

remaining period of the year i.e. from mid-June to November is influenced by humid

winds of oceanic origin, and its main characteristics are cloudy weather, occasional

heavy rainfall and high relative humidity. The prevailing direction of winds is

generally from west to east in the northeast monsoon season and from east to west

during the southwest monsoon season.

The period of the north east monsoons may further be sub divided into two

parts. One from December till the end of Februarywith low temperatures, and the

other from the beginning of March till mid-June this is a period of high temperatures.

Similarly the south west monsoon period is divisible into two parts. One from mid-

June to September a period of maximum rainfall, high humidity and comparatively

low temperatures; and the other from October till the end of November-a period of

retreating monsoons with slackening rains and when south westerly monsoons

gradually die and their place is taken by the dry north westerly winds.

From this discussion of the natural environment it should be noted that the

Tehsil is a gently sloping plain with a wide depression in the centre. There are no

impossible features functioning as impediment to transportation and communication.

Drainage is meager. There are only two rivers the Kali nadi and the Sengar which are

small and insignificant. Rest of drainage is based on the artificial drains. As such

drainage of the area is also of no consequence as regard impediment to

communication and transportation. As regard climate it is noticed that it is of sub

humid type of the upper Ganga- Yamuna doab. It is homogeneous throughout the

Tahsil and causes no variation in the agricultural practices. However, physiographic

conditions particularly occurrence of reh causes some variation in the intensity and

productivity of agriculture, since variation in the occurrence of reh is not great,

therefore, for all practical purposes the tahsil as a whole can be considered as

homogeneous with regard the agricultural production.

As such, natural conditions prevailing in the Tahsil do not cause much noise to

modify the general pattern of urban influence. They also do not cause much

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variationin the economic conditions to have a strong bearing on the fertility behavior

of the population.

All these conditions affect the agricultural fortunes and the overall economy

of the area(Aligarh District gazetteer, 1981).

3.3.5 Soils

In general the topographic layout of the Tahsil is very similar to that of the doab.

Since Aligarh district is bounded by the rivers Ganga and Yamuna, the level of the

plain rises from the extreme west of the Yamuna khadar to the high uplands towards

the centre which covers almost half of the western portion of the tahsil approximately

upto the grand trunk road and then finally in the further east the land descends into a

slight depression formed by the Kali nadi. Elevated sand ridges are also found a

result of the fluvial action coupled with strong westerly winds. In other parts of the

Tahsil similar ridges occur but the two parallel lines of the high sandy grounds

running from north to south in the west of Aligarh city to be mentioned.

The Koil Tahsil contains three distinct types of landform. All along the

eastern border, there is on the right bank of the Kali nadi narrow strip of good light

loam. The south west portion of the Tahsil also has a light loam soil which tends to

be sandy in some of the villages. The rest of the Tahsil consists of a lo lying plain

which has a firm rich loam soil adequate drainage towards the east, but deteriorates

on the west owing to the preponderance of usar and lack of sufficient drainage.

Geologically these deposits of clay, silt, sand and loam come under the alluvial

deposits which can again be further sub-divided into khaddar or newer alluvium or

sandy soils generally of light colour and secondly the bhangar or older alluvium

which is generally of dark colour and contains sufficient amount of kankar.

The bhangar lands are level plains above the flood level of the main rivers

and their tributaries. The bhangar deposits contain the remains of extinct species of

animals, and the important material in bhangar land is clay, which at places becomes

loam or sandy loam. kankar deposits of various shape and size are also found. The

presence of nodules of impure calcium carbonate or kankar in the bhangar lands is

due to the segregation of calcareous materials of the alluvial deposits into lump

somewhat like the formation of flint in the lime stones (Wadia: 394). Medlicott

(1879:393) believes that the kankar nodules and calcareous beds have been deposited

78

from water containing solution of carbonates of lime derived from the older rocks of

various kinds or else from fragments of limestone contained in the alluvium.

The rich agricultural tracts of bhangar lands in many areas have become

unsuitable for cultivation due to the presence of saline and alkaline efflorescence

namely, reh. The gentle slope of the land, clay or clay-loam composition of the soil

and lack of surface drainage and contributed to the infertility of this area. The salts

keep on accumulating by leaching from the neighbouring regions. During the dry

season the soluble salts are sucked up in solution by capillary action to the surface

and are deposited there in the form of reh or white efflorescence.

Khadar lands are confined to the terraces and the flood plains of rivers and

their tributaries. The older alluvium is eroded by the rivers and is deposited in their

vicinity which stands at generally lower level. The low level of the khaddar is in the

conformity with the principle that as a river becomes older in times, its bed sinks

gradually to lower levels and the alluvium that it deposits occupies lower positions

along its basin compared to the earlier deposits (Wadia, 1961: 394). The khaddar

deposits vary from sand siltsto mud and clay and are of light colour and poor in

calcareous content.

On the basis of the alluvium deposits, the koil tehsil may be broadly divided into

a. The upland or the bhangar lands and

b. The lowland or the khadar lands.

The general physical characteristics of the upland or the bhanger tract of Koil

Tahsil is that there is a good loam tract, a low lying clay tract and a sandy tract. Belts

of depressed lands are found in these uplands also, but they are formed by the mere

flow of surface drainage, the water finally finding its way into numerous channels.

Through the centre of the Tahsil a broad belt of low lying land runs north-west to

south-east. This broad low lying belt is a contamination of the belt which begins from

the district of Meerut and passing through Bulandshahar district enters Tahsil Koil in

the north. It is believed to be a part of a veryextensive low lying tract which runs

through the centre of the doab parallel to the Ganga and the Yamuna. The natural

drainage here is defective with the result that there are vast tracts of usar in which

there is efflorescence of reh and numerous jhils. The soil is generally stiff clay in the

79

depressions but improves to clay-loam or loam on the highland areas. The sandy soils

in the tahsil are as rule found only in the vicinity of rivers.

The khaddar tract is found in the vicinity of the kali nadi. This tract is

generally confined to the slopes of the river. The Kali nadi is the only river of this

Tahsil and flows along eastern border. It is a perennial stream running between the

narrow banks with more or less well defined course. Occasionally it overflows its

bank and makes more deposits of alluvial silt. The Kali nadi khadar, though on the

whole is fertile but inferior to the Ganga khadar. It contains a good deal of land

which suffers from reh. The Yamuna khadar is very low in fertility.

The traditional classification of soils inthe district are as follows (Aziz, 1989):

1. Matiyar- the darkish best class loam

2. Piliya- the yellowish sandy loam

3. Chiknot - stiff clay soil

4. Khadar – the younger alluvial silt.

5. Bur or Bhur – the coarse sandy soil.

The soils of the Aligarh are similarly the same in composition and appearance

as those of the doab. Due to the bowl shape topography with the rivers of Ganga and

Yamuna flowing on the relatively high land peripheries and a central low-lying tract,

therefore, most prominent among them is the alluvial deposits divided into two broad

types. The younger alluvium is khadar along the flood plains of Ganga and Yamuna

rivers. The older alluvium is known as bhangar who occupies the elevated grounds

above flood level.Aligarh soils have two distinctive form of the alluvium.

1. The older alluvium (bhangar)

2. The newer alluvium (khadar)

Bhangar found in upper reaches is a better drained and less calcarious soil, while

khadar is low-lying poorly drained alluvium soil. The soils differ very much in

texture and consistency ranging from the sands through loams and silts to heavy

clays that are ill drained and are sometimes charged with injures accumulation of

sodium salts producing a sterile deflocculated condition called usar. The south-

western part of the district has to pay for being in lower sloppy portion, resulting in

saline-alkaline efflorescence of medium to high pH value (Aziz, 1989).

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3.4 SOCIO-ECONOMIC

Aligarh city covers an area 38.29sq km out of which 64.5 per cent area of the city is

developed area 49.1 per cent is used for residential purposes, 28.1 per cent for

transport, 9.4 per cent for industrial and commercial purposes, 7.1 per cent is under

parks and open spaces and only 0.4 per cent is used for recreational purposes. The

city is divided into 70 wards which spread over 158 mohallas (2011 census).

Table 3.2 Population Growth in Aligarh City (1901-2011)

Census

Year

Total

Population

Decennial

Actual Increase

Decennial

Growth

(in percent)

1901 72,084 - -

1911 66,344 - 5,740 - 7.96

1921 66,963 + 619 + 0.93

1931 83,878 +16,915 +25.26

1941 1,12,655 +98,777 +34.31

1951 1,41,618 +28,963 +25.71

1961 1,85,020 +43,402 +30.65

1971 2,52,314 +67,294 +36.37

1981 3,20,861 +68,547 +27.17

1991 4,80,520 +1,59,659 +49.75

2001 6,69,087 +1,88,567 +39.24

2011 8,74,408 +2,03,488 +30.41

2021** 12,49,352 +3,76,777 +43.18

1901-2011 8,72,575 +8,00,491 +1110.50

Source: (a) Aligarh District Census Handbooks: Village and Town Directory,

1971, 1981, 1991 and 2001.

(b) ** Extrapolations made by Aligarh Development Authority (ADA)

In the first census, which was conducted in 1847, the population of Aligarh

city recorded as 36,181 persons and by 1853 the total population rose to 55,001

persons, though in 1865 it had fallen down to 48,403 persons. Since then, there has

been a considerable increase which started even before 1881 and continued to 1901.

Afterwards, the population of Aligarh continued to decline for two consecutive

decades of 1901-11 and 1911-21 (Table 4.1). Since 1921, the growth has been steady

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and it continued upto 1971 with a slight fluctuation in 1951. During the post-

independence period, Aligarh experienced a marked growth of industries in

residential areas. The 1961 Census categorized Aligarh as a service-cum-industrial

centre but, the 1971 Census reclassified it as industrial-cum-service centre (Siddique,

1975). As the city entered in 1990s, the census reports gave new records of the

population growth i.e. 49.75 per cent. In the subsequent census of 2001 there has

been a downfall in growth rate by 10 per cent i.e. 39.23 per cent at that time the

actual population was 6,69,087 persons. During the period of from 1901 to 2011 the

population of Aligarh city has been increased by 8,00,491 persons, which shows a

growth of 1110.50 per cent (Table 3.2).

As per the report of the Census of 2011, the total population of Aligarh city

was 8,74,408 (0.87 million) persons constituting 52.8 per cent males and 47.19 per

cent females, and shows a growth rate of 30.41 per cent from the Census of

2001(Table 3.2). The sex ratio in Aligarh city was 884 females per 1000 males

during 2011. Aligarh city is governed by Municipal Corporation which comes under

Aligarh Urban Agglomeration. Also the total urban population in the district was

9,09,559 persons. Aligarh has high population growth rate, as city grows by 2 per

cent naturally and 4 per cent by the migrant coming from different villages, the socio

economic compulsion have lead the rural labourers to migrate to the city. The

migration of the labourers has also affected the sex ratio to be 884 females per

thousand of males.

3.4.1 Education

Educational activity in Aligarh city is better segregated than other activities. There

are two areas under it, beside which few are compact but are small in size under

various institutions. A major educational area in terms of territory in terms of

importance is the Aligarh Muslim University and its allied institutions. Its area

spreads over an area of 4.3 sq km. The campus of the university has developed in the

north eastern part of the city, east of the railway line and fairly demarcated by the

Anupshahr road, University Road and the Medical College road and by Jawahar Park

which lies in the south. Some areas of the university campus are not contiguous and

lie outside the campus (Aziz, 1989).

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The core of the campus was founded as Mohammaden Anglo Oriental

College (M.A.O.) in 1877 in the most elevated land, on the site of Sir Syed Hall (S.S.

Hall). The M.A.O College was established in 1875 but the foundation stone for it was

laid in 1877 (Aziz, 1989).

A liberal grant of money and land came from nawabs (nobles), zamindars

(landlords) and charities of common people, and the university campus expanded

northwards and eastwards. Today, the university possesses a very large campus

having a number of faculties with different departments namely, Science, Life

Sciences, Arts, Theology, Social Sciences, Agriculture, Engineering, Commerce,

Law, Management and Medicine.

Having a distinction of being the largest residential universities in India, it draws

students from the nook and corner of the country and from abroad. The university has

a chain of residential hostels for both boys and girls, and a chain of play-grounds,

parks, open spaces, lawns, and wide streets, interspersed in the campus. Residential

complexes to accommodate the staff of the university have a separate space, in

several numbers. The oldest of them are the Nazeer Ahmad Road and Tar Bungalow

colonies, and the Medical Colony is the largest one. Faculty buildings are mainly

centered on the main building of the Maulana Azad Library, which is the central

library of the university (Aziz, 1989).

The whole campus is spacious and neatly laid outwith a number of beautiful

lawns and gardens, and these together with tree lined roads and avenues make it look

like a garden city (Aziz, 1989).

The other fairly segregated educational area is seen in a semi-circular form in

the south central part of the city along the railway line. Here are two old and

important postgraduate degree colleges – Dharam Samaj and Shri Varshneya College

and two intermediate colleges. There is large number of other educational institutions

but they are scattered over the city and do not make a clear cut area of urban land use.

However, two of them occupy considerable areas and form a small campus of their

own on the eastern side of the city. These are the Muslim University maintained

Womens’ College and the Tika Ram Girls’ College, the former on the Marris Road

and the latter on the Ramghat Road (Aziz, 1989).

83

In 2011 the distribution of educational services in Aligarh city innumerable

schools and colleges are inside the municipal boundary of the city. Higher numbers

of educational services were located along Ramghat road i.e. 18 total institution

including primary, intermediate and technical institutions followed by GT road of

Kanpur there are 6 primary, 4 high schools, the GT road of Delhi to Anupshahar road

bypass there are only 9 educational services i.e., 6 primary, 2 intermediate and 1

technical institutions and least educational services were located in Mathura road to

Khair road bye pass.

3.4.2 Residential Area

Residential areas of the city though occupying a large part of the city land do not

make separate zones, for nowhere, except in the small new colonies, they are

hundred per cent residential. They have been pulverised a great deal of trading and

industrial activities. At places they menacingly encroach upon it(Aziz, 1989).

Residential areas can be broadly separated into two, the eastern and the

western, with railway line making a divide. The western area consists of the old city

where houses are old and very old and by virtue of their age are more often than not

in dilapidated condition. Adding insult to injuries they have been arbitrarily

fragmented from father to son and from medieval to modern times. Narrow lanes

some more with dead ends are lined with petty shops. Rooms of houses are used as

workshops. There are no open spaces in such localities and if people are living a

normal life it is a tribute to their heroic fibre. In the outer parts of the old city a few

colonies have come up which are texturally and chronologically incongruous with

them (Aziz, 1989).

East of the railway line the civil lines and contiguous areas have become

residential areas of the urban elite. Elegant compact colonies with high quality

spacious houses have come up. Marris road from near Tika Ram Mandir upto Kela

Nagar is the example pre-excellence where some of the best houses have been built.

The final picture of the residential areas is made complete by the hutment

settlements. These settlements of the socially and economically down trodden people

are situated of the southern and southwestern edge of the city. There is only one

reason to develop the suburbs areas because of the huge number of institution,

hospitals and commercial are established in suburb areas.

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3.4.3 Commercial and Industrial

Commercial activity in the city is of high order, and there are wholesale, retail and

specialized markets. Wholesale markets are clustered round the Baradwari (city clock

tower), in the northern part of the old city. Here, there are wholesale markets of food

grains, gur (jaggery), spices, herbs, chuna (lime), bamboo, ghee (hydrogenated

cooking oil), khandsari (raw sugar), vegetables and fruits. These markets generate

heavy traffic in the congested parts of the city, and at the intersection of busy

thoroughfares and pose great hazards (Aziz, 1989).

Retail trade of does not occupy compact areas, but like in most Indian cities it

is in a ribbon pattern, crawling along the traffic arteries and lanes. A certain

commercial hierarchy has evolved in the city. Subhash Road, Mahavirganj and

Rasalganj are on top of the hierarchical system. They have high quality merchandise

with a large trade turns over. Lower down in hierarchy are the district

(neighbourhood) shopping centres which catering to the local shopping demands.

Some important ones among them are the Marris Road, Naurangabad, Vishnupuri,

Shamshad, Dodhpur and Nai Basti shopping centers. Still lower on the scale are the

shopping establishments in the lanes of residential wards, looking after the immediate

needs of the residents(Aziz, 1989).

There are few specialized retail markets such as the paper and stationery, gold

smithy, cloth, shoes and hardware. They look after the needs of the whole city

population are also of the people of hinterland (Aziz, 1989).

Industrial activity occupies a large area in old city, though they are not

exclusively industrial. Aligarh district and the city have a tradition of industrial

activity from medieval times when cotton, indigo, salt peter, glass and pottery

industries were developed. During the British period, the establishment of postal

workshop laid the bases and provided the technical skills which provided a base

subsequently to lock and other metal and fitting industries in Aligarh city. During the

Second World War, industrial activity got a fillip and manufactured badges, buckles,

monograms, whistles, locks etc. were manufactured for the army men. After

independence a spate of industries developed in the Aligarh city as well as in the

entire district. Presently there are over 3,400 industrial establishments in the district,

85

employing over 21,000 workers. Most of the establishments and work force are in the

city itself. Hathras and Sasni are two other important industrial places(Aziz, 1989).

Distribution of industrial establishment exhibits, two types of location pattern.

Location in old city is characterized with a dispersed pattern. Almost in all parts of

old city, in different mohallas generally small establishments are located. They are

commonly found in residential houses, in outer rooms opening on lanes. The

Buildings in which these household industries are located functionally unfit for

workers and are dark and damp(Aziz, 1989).

Lock industry is the most important industry of the town. One of the largest

concentrations of this industry is in the Upper kot area. Here power run factories,

employing a large work force have also come up. Locks of various types and

materials -iron, brass, spring and padlocks are made here and exported throughout

India and abroad to Pakistan, Burma and southeast and southwest Asian

countries(Aziz, 1989).

Besides lock, a host of other industries have developed in the course of time,

and most of them are widely spread in the old city. There is a large number of iron

foundries and other metal industries, and industries of insulated non-ferrous wires,

electrical goods, cutlery, building fittings, car door handles, steel furniture, iron safe,

geometrical instruments, knives, hair clips, decoration pieces, durrets and carpets. A

large number of agro industries are also to be found located in old city namely mills

of flour, pulses and a number of dairy, bread and biscuit factories(Aziz, 1989).

There are three areas which can be labeled as industrial. One is the newly

developed industrial area ITI Road, occupying an area of about 150,000 sq. meters in

the northwest of the city. This is the only compact industrial zone. Here large, power

run factories are situated. The other fairly segregated industrial area is on the Gular

Road on the north western fringe of the Old City. Here there are a few large factories

of hydrogenated and other vegetable oils. G.T. Road is third industrial area where

there is a distinct concentration of industries(Aziz, 1989).

3.4.4 Administration

Administrative area of the city does not make a compact functional zone even its

boundaries are clear cut. It is situated in Civil Lines in northeastern part of the city,

bounded in the east by the Anupshahr road and in the west, roughly by the Bareilly

86

Railway Line. Here are the Judges' court, Collectorate, District Jail, Police Line Club,

Public Works Department and its Inspection House, District Election Office (Jawahar

Bhawan) and Employment Exchange office are situated. Other offices are scattered

widely and defy any locational pattern. The reason why administrative offices are

situated in the Civil Lines, away from the Old City, that the present location is a

continuation of the British tradition, when they wanted to keep their administrators

away from 'natives' and in proximity to cantonment and in open areas (Aziz, 1989).

Hence, it can be summarized that Aligarh has produced a unique social fabric

which is potent and quite fascinating on part of its townscape. The character of a

place is determined through people’s perception of that place. As per the European

Landscape Convention “Landscape means an area, as perceived by people, whose

character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors”.

It is very important when seeking to provide a description of character that will be

acceptable and effective in the planning process. It is equally important to provide the

opportunity for people to contribute to a definition of character, both in terms of what

they perceive the character to be and also what they like and dislike about the

character of the place.

The growth pattern and consequent morphological components of Aligarh

City are rather distinct and are woven into a townscape, where urban land use,

physical or natural and socio-economic characteristics represents a geographical

texture. Thus, Aligarh through the vicissitude of history has become a microcosm of

entirety of urban environmental quality; admittedly it preserves its individual

features.

87

REFERENCES

Asif, K. and Rahman, H., 2013.Urban Encroachment on Agricultural Land in Urban

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