Culture and Religion
According to 2011 census, Amroha had a population of 197,135, out of which males were 102,804 and females were 94,331. The literacy rate was 63.88 per cent. 66% of the population were Muslims, 33% were Hindus 0.5% were Jains and 0.5% were others. There are many temples, gurduaras, mosques, imambaras and mausoleums.
Muslim culture
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.
The earliest arrival of Muslims in Amroha was Sultan Mohammad Ghaznavi in 1192. The oldest mosque in Mohalla Saddo was built in 1287. The Mughals arrived in Amroha in 1305.
Hindu culture
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.
Riyasat wala Mandir: Sahu Devki Nand built this temple. The procession of Bhagwan Ramchand starts from here. 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.
The main Hindu processions are for Holi and Ramdol
Christian culture
The earliest camp meeting conducted in Amroha was in November 1865 and nearly 110 Christians attended this meeting.
Photos of Century old Methodist church in Mohalla Mandichob, Interior of Methodist Church, and the Reverend Daniel Masih reading from the Bible. There is a century old Methodist church in Mohalla Mandichob and the Christian graveyard is on the side of the cross road (previously known as Parker Road) near Krishna Bal Mandir School. Dr. H.B. Ram wrote in his article “The First Indian Presiding Elder of the Methodist Church ZAHUR UL HAQQ (1834-1896)” that Janab Zahur Ul Haqq was appointed in 1882 as the Presiding Elder of Amroha district and thus he became the first Indian Presiding Elder of the Methodist Episcopal Church in India. Amroha District of the Methodist Mission covered the following area i.e. Sambhal, Baijoi, Shahpore, Rasulpore, Sharifpore, Gangeshri, Hasanpur, Narainiya, Durala, Raepore, Dhanaurah, Babu Khera, Joa and Ahchola. In October 1885, the total number of Christians in Amroha District was 827. There were seven churches, 21 vernacular Schools for boys and 11 for girls. By the end of December 1892 there were 37 vernacular schools for boys and 16 for girls mostly up to middle standard. The church did commendable work in the field of education though Christians were a miniscule community and women’s education was not accepted at that time in society.
Though the Christian community in Amroha remains very small in number, they have made a significant contribution to the town. Many Christians have served this town in the field of health and education and in other service fields. Of particular note is famous Urdu poet Janab D.A. Harrison ‘Qurban’ who was born on 12 March 1919 in Amroha. He was a great scholar of Urdu and Persian languages and contributed regularly in many Urdu magazines. He was honoured by U.P. and Bihar Urdu Academy. Another prominent Christian Amrohvi is Dr. C.L. Donald. He came to Amroha in 1952 after the closer of Salvation Army Hospital in Moradabad. He is a well known face of the Christian community in Amroha. He was associated with Pulse Polio program for many years. Recognizing his contribution he was honoured by Rotary Club.
Sikh culture
There is no official record of when Sikhs first arrived in Amroha but Sikh families in Amroha suggest that 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 and Sardar Bhagat Tarachand both arrived in Amroha in 1947. Sardar Gurcharan Singh Rajpal came to Amroha in 1944 and became a very well respected man in Amroha. There are two Gurduaras (temples) in Amroha. One was built in 1940 at Basdev Park. The other one was built in 1989 on Station Road. The main Julus (procession) takes place on Gurunank’s birthday.