Moradabad is a city and the administrative headquarters of Moradabad district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Located on the banks of the Ramganga river in the Rohilkhand region of the western part of the state, the city is widely known for its brassware industry, owing to which it is popularly referred to as the "Brass City" (Pital Nagri).
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Uttar Pradesh |
| Region | Rohilkhand |
| District | Moradabad |
| Division | Moradabad division |
| River | Ramganga |
| Known for | Brass handicrafts and metalware exports |
| Founded | 17th century, during the Mughal era |
The city was founded in the 17th century during the reign of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It is generally accepted that the settlement was established by Rustam Khan, the governor of Sambhal, and named after Shah Jahan's son, Prince Murad Baksh. After the decline of Mughal central authority in the 18th century, the area came under the control of the Rohilla Afghans and formed part of the historical region of Rohilkhand.
Following the Rohilla Wars of the late 18th century, the territory passed to the Nawab of Awadh, and was subsequently ceded to the British East India Company in 1801. Under British rule, Moradabad was developed as a district headquarters in the United Provinces. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the city saw episodes of unrest before British authority was re-established.
Moradabad lies in the upper Gangetic plain, on the western bank of the Ramganga, a tributary of the Ganges. It is situated approximately 165 km east of New Delhi and is connected by national highways and the Indian Railways' Northern Railway zone. The terrain is largely flat alluvial plain, suited to intensive agriculture, with sugarcane, wheat and paddy being the principal crops of the surrounding district.
Moradabad's economy is dominated by its handicraft and metalware sector, particularly brass items, which are produced in numerous small and medium workshops across the city. The industry exports decorative and utility items to markets in Europe, North America and West Asia, and Moradabad is recognised as one of the major handicraft export hubs of India. In addition to brass, artisans work with iron, aluminium, glass and bone for export-oriented products. The city is one of the centres covered under government cluster development and export promotion schemes for handicrafts.
Agriculture, agro-processing (notably sugar mills in the surrounding district) and trade also contribute significantly to the local economy.
Moradabad serves as the headquarters of both Moradabad district and Moradabad division, the latter comprising several adjoining districts of western Uttar Pradesh. Civic administration within the city is carried out by the Moradabad Municipal Corporation (Nagar Nigam). The city is represented in the Lok Sabha through the Moradabad parliamentary constituency and elects members to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from constituencies within the city and district.
Moradabad Junction is a major railway station on the Delhi–Lucknow main line and is the headquarters of the Moradabad railway division of Northern Railway. The city is served by National Highway 9 (formerly NH 24), linking it with Delhi to the west and Lucknow to the east. Regional connectivity is also provided through state highways serving towns such as Bachhraon, Sambhal, Rampur and Bijnor.
The city has a mixed Hindu and Muslim population, with a long tradition of artisanal craftsmanship that has shaped its cultural identity. Educational institutions in the city include Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad Institute of Technology, and a number of degree colleges affiliated with Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Bareilly.