Revision as of 13:55, 28 January 2015

Rampur City

Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value. Capital of the State of Rampur, United Provinces, situated in 28 49' N. and 79 2' E., on the left bank of the Kosi or Kosilla, on a road from Moradabad to Bareilly and on the Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway, 851 miles by rail from Calcutta and 1,070 from Bombay, Population is increasing slowly but steadily. The numbers at the three enumerations were as follows : (1881) 74,250, (1891) 76,733, and (1901) 78,758. In 1901 the population included 58,870 Musalmans and 17,371 Hindus. Rampur first became of notice as the residence of Faiz-ullah Khan, younger son of All Muhammad. For a time it bore the name Mustafabad It is enclosed by a broad, dense, bamboo hedge, about six miles in circumference, which was formerly pierced by only eight openings and formed a strong defence. Within recent years dealings have been made in two places. In the centre of the city stands the new fort, surrounded by a wall 5,000 feet in circuit.

It is built entirely of brick and is entered by two lofty gateways. The interior of the fort is a large open space, containing palaces and other buildings. A fine library contains an exceptionally valuable collection of manuscripts. West of the fort are the public offices, in an impos- ing range of buildings completed in 1892. The large Jama Masjid was built by Nawab Kalb All Khan at a cost of 3 lakhs. Other buildings for the use of the Nawab and his family include the Khas Bagh palace, the Khusru Bagh palace, and commodious stables for horses, camels, and elephants. The chief public buildings are the jail, police station, high school, tahsili) and male and female dispensaries. Houses are maintained for the European officials outside the city, and the canton- ments he beyond these.

Municipal administration was introduced in 1890. Up to 1903 the only income raised by specific taxation consisted of a tax for watch and ward, which brought in about Rs. 4,000 or Rs 5,000. Octroi has now been introduced. In 1903-4 the expenditure was Rs. 61,000, including public works (Rs. 20,000), conservancy (Rs. 18,000), and lighting (Rs. 13,000). The city produces pottery, damask, sword-blades, and cutlery, and is the chief trading centre in the State. It is also the chief educational centre, and contains 43 schools with 2,254 pupils. The principal institutions are the high school, where English education is provided, a technical school with 100 pupils, and an Arabic college/ There are five girls' schools with 130 pupils.