Aligarh is a city in Aligarh District in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The city is located about 90 miles (140 km) southeast of New Delhi. It is the administrative headquarters of Aligarh District, Aligarh Police Range and Aligarh Division, and has a population of half a million. It is mostly known as a university town where the famous Aligarh Muslim University is located. The Aligarh division includes Aligarh, Etah, Hathras, and Kanshi Ram Nagar districts. Aligarh has one of the best educational institutes in India. It is popularly known as the 'Mecca of Education'.

Important places

There are two popular landmarks in Aligarh. One is Aligarh fort and another is Sir Syed Masjid in Aligarh Muslim University's campus. Another old fort, the Dor fortress (1524), now in ruins, lies at the city's centre; its site is located in the area now called Upper Kot and is occupied by an 18th-century mosque. The city also contains tombs of Muslim saints.

Aligarh has a very renowned tomb (Baba Barchi) at Kath Pula. One famous Jainism Teerth Dhaam "Mangalayatan Teerth Dhaam" has been built at Agra Road. Another old Jain temple with fresco painted ceilings is located behind Khirni Gate Police Chowky at Agra Road in the main City.

"Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicine and Sciences". at Tijara House is another site-seeing place where one can see a huge library on history of medicine and history of science. and a museum on Indian heritage and culture. It was built by a Unani Physician and philanthropist Hakim Syed Zillur Rahman.

The Annual Cultural Exhibition, popularly known as numaish, held at the Exhibition ground is held in January and February. Aligarh is also famous for Sherwanis, especially the Mehndi Hasan's shop reportedly frequented by former Prime Minister of India Pandit Nehru.

There are few churches in Aligarh. Quite famous are Church Of Ascension, Christ Church and The Methodist Church.