Meerut is a metropolitan city and a municipal corporation in Meerut district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is an ancient city located 56 km (35 mi) north-east of New Delhi. It is a part of the National Capital Region of India. It is the 16th largest metropolitan area in India and the 17th largest city in India. It ranked 292 in 2006 and 242 in 2010 in the list of largest cities and urban areas in the world. It is the fastest developing city of Uttar Pradesh after Noida and Ghaziabad. It is spread about 172 square km. The total metropolitan area is 198 km which is third in Uttar Pradesh after Lucknow and Kanpur. It has the 2nd largest army cantonment of the country.

Tourist destinations

Meerut, with its imminent history and luxuriant picturesque backdrop, has a well-developed tourism sector. The notable tourist destinations include:

Jain temples of Hastinapur - According to Jain tradition, Hastinapur was one of the earliest Indian cities like Ayodhya and Kashi and came into existence during the time of Rishabhadeva (the first tirthankara) whose grandson, Somaprabha, was the first ruler of the place. It is also said to be the birth place of three Jain tirthankars, Shantinatha, Kunthnnath and Arahanatha.

Jain Temple at Mohalla Teergaran - It is the oldest Jain temple of Meerut amongst 40 Jain temples. Its main statue is of Jain tirthanker Shantinath, which was built at the same time when the main statue of Jain Temple, Hastinapur was built. This temple is preserved by the Indian government for its old art work. The Digumber statues in the temple are really fascinating. Its full name is 'Shri Shantinath Digamber Jain Madir - Teergaran (Meerut)'.

St. John's Church - This church was established by Chaplin Reverend Henry Fisher on behalf of the East India Company in 1819 in the cantonment area and was completed in 1822. It is considered one of the oldest churches in North India. The Church was dedicated to the people by Bishop Wilson. It has a seating capacity of 10,000 people. During the war of 1857, this church was the scene of heavy fighting between Indians and the British forces.

Augarnath Temple - This grand temple is located at the site where the soldiers of the war of 1857 planned their operations. The old temple has been replaced by a modern version.

The Jama Masjid was built by Hasan Mahdi, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi's Wazir (chief minister) in 1019 AD (older than the Qutb Minar). That makes it the first Masjid in North India. And although it was restored by Humayun, it is one of the oldest Muslim mosques in India. The Tomb of Shah Pir was erected by the empress Nur Jahan in honour of a local Muslim saint. Qutb-ud-din Aybak is believed to have built the Maqbara of Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masud (Baley Miyan). There are other mausoleams and mosques indicating the strong Muslim presence in Meerut.

* Martyr's Memorial (Shaheed Smarak)
* Gandhi Bagh (Company Garden)
* Suraj Kund
* Chandi Devi Temple
* Mansa Devi Temple
* Bale Miyan ki Dargah
* Shahpeer Sahab ki Dargah
* Jama Masjid (Built in 11th Century)
* Shahi Eid Gaah (Capacity of 1,00,000 Namazi)
* Basilica of Our Lady of Graces, Sardhana (Sardhana Church)
* Parikshitgarh
* Baleni
* Barnawa

Meerut cantonment - It is second largest cantt of India after Kanpur. It has a population of 96,989 and covers the city from almost three sides. Meerut cantonment railway station was built in 1865.