Aligarh, Educational center in Uttar Pradesh, India
Aligarh is a commercial center in Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh, that spreads across the flat plains between the Ganges and Yamuna rivers. Wide main roads connect several residential neighborhoods with business districts where workshops sit beside markets and temples.
Until the mid-18th century, the place was known as Kol, before being renamed after the Sufi saint's tomb. During British rule, a major military base formed here, which later grew into a center for the education movement.
The city takes its name from the Sufi saint Ali Hasan Saheb, whose tomb draws pilgrims from across the region. In daily life, students and craftsmen shape the streetscape, while markets and workshops set the rhythm of the lanes.
The city center can be explored on foot or with cycle rickshaws, which are found at most intersections. Morning and early evening hours offer more comfortable temperatures for exploring, especially during warmer months.
More than 6000 small workshops and family businesses produce locks here using traditional methods passed down through generations. Visitors often see craftsmen sitting on the floor assembling tiny metal parts with simple tools.
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