Amroha is situated about 120kms east of Delhi on the way to Moradabd.

There are three explanations for the name "Amroha".

First is that it was settled during the time of Raj Amarjoda when sanskirt was common. Amroha is driven from the sanskirt word Amarwanam which means “place of aam(mangoes)”. In those days Arya people places were often named after trees, rivers and grains etc. According to Ahmad Husain Siddiqi this suggests that Amroha is about 2,500 years old.

Second, is that Maharajah Pirthiviraj named it after his sister Amarwanam.

And third, is that Sayed Sharfuddin Shahwilayat named it “Amrohu” because of the abundance of aam (mango) and rohu(type of fish) which became Amroha.

The British government accepted the name as Amroonam which eventually became Amroha.

People of all religions(Hindu, Muslim,Sikh and Christian) live and practice their religion freely in Amroha. According to 1991 census of the 1,29,560 population there were 65% Mos lams,35% Hindus and others. There are many temples, gurduaras, mosques, imambaras and mausoleums.

The biggest procession for Shia Muslims is Moharram for six days when the procession visits seventy Imambaras in the town.

Moharram commemorates the death of Imam Hussain, grandson of Mohammad.



The oldest mosque was built in 1287 in Mohalla Saddo.

HINDU

There are many mandirs(temples) but the most well known are as follows:

Mandar Baba Ganga Nath: This is in Mohalla Bazar Jat. Miracles are attributed to the power of Baba Ganga Ram Das.
(Image courtsey of Ahmad Husain Siddiqi.)

Riyasat wala Mandir: Sahu Devki Nand built this temple.The procession of Bhagwan Ramchand starts from here.

Mandir Basdev

There is water in the middle of this temple.The date of construction is not known but it is considered to be the oldest Mandir in Amroha. Some people say that its roots go back to Bhagwan Krishan.


Ram Unaj Mandir: This was built in 1880. It belongs to the Vishnu Sampar sect. Bhandara and Kathakeertan takes place every year.

Jaidargashio Mandir:This belongs to Kayasts caste. It is in Mohalla Mandichob .Keertan and Hawan takes place yearly.

Main Hindu processions are for Holi and Ramdol

SIKH

There is no credible proof about the first date of Sikh arrival in Amroha but living families suggest the following.

Sardar Budh Singh came to Amroha in 1939 from district Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan. Among his family Sardar Gurchara Singh is particularly respected.

Sardar Jagat Singh: Also came from district Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan in 1942.

Sardar Amar Singh: Arrived in Amroha in 1947

Sardar Bhagat Tarachand: Came in 1947. Sardar Sunder Singh (gheewale) is a successful businessman

Sardar Gurcharan Singh Rajpal: Came to Amroha in 1944 and settled in Amroha before 1947. He is very well respected man in Amroha.

There are two Gurduaras (temples) in Amroha.

First one was built in 1940 at Basdev Park. The other one was built on Station Road in 1989.


The main Julus(procession) takes place on Gurunank’ birthday

ISLAM

Earliest arrival of Moslams in Amroha is by Sultan Mohammad Ghaznavi is in 1192.


The oldest mosque in mohalla Saddo was built in 1287. Earliest arrivals of Mughals in Amroha was in 1305.
(Image courtsey of Ahmad Husain Siddiqi.)

Arrival of Sharf-ud-din, better known as Shah Wilayat from Iraq via Multan is given variously as 1271.

He died in 1381.

His Dargah or tomb stands in a large enclosure filled with graves of his descendents. The tomb is a most interesting place as within the temple area scorpions inflict no harm.

One of his sons Abdul Aziz married the daughter of Feroz Shah. The descendent of the elder son rose to posts of some distinction under the Moghal Emperors.

The Chief was Qazi Syed Amir Ali, who was made chief Qazi by Akbar.

In the foreground of the picture to the left is the grave of Squadron Leader Intezam Naqvi, whose portrait can be seen below.


Ahmad Husain Siddiqi in his book "Kishaware Oliya" gives a comprehensive details with photos of other tombs of religious leaders.

Mr Siddiqi also gives details of many famous Amroha people. The list is very impressive considering the small size of the community.
For example Amroha has produced Sadeqain (The work Saga Of Labour by Sadeqain is reproduced here)

and Iqbal Mehdi (pictured left), Raees Amrohi (Poet), Kamal Amrohi (Film director & producer), Sqdn Ldr Intezam Naqvi (National Hero), Babu Bhagwati Sahai (Lawyer), Bhagwati Sahae (Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh).
(Image courtsey of Ahmad Husain Siddiqi.)

Squadron Leader Intezam Naqvi (National Hero).


Source: mainly from a most comprehensive book “Kishware Oliya” by Ahmad Husain Siddiqi, published in 1999, and research by Bhavanesh Kumar Sharma, Dr Imam Murtaza Naqvi, Gopal Kisohre Saxena and Dr Donald.