Roorkee got its name from Ruri, the wife of a Rajput tribal chief. This information is attested to by the fact that Roorkee was once spelled as Rurki.
During Akbar’s reign, Roorkee was the headquarters of Mahal or Pargana. Its position, however, was reduced with the inception of Skaruda, the estate of Rao Qutb-ud-Din in Zabita Khan’s time.
In the eighteenth century, it was merged into the estate of Landhaura, ruled by Gurjars. It remained with them until 1813 their king, Raja Ramdaval, died.
It was a small village until work on the Ganga Canal was not undertaken. This canal's construction started this small village's journey into a planned and developed township.
Col. P.T. Cautley, an officer in the British Army, was most instrumental in constructing the canal. According to the Department of Hydrology, the canal, still considered a marvel of engineering, was built in 1853. However, water was released in the canal on 8th April 1854.
Roorkee also holds the distinction of being the place where a railway engine ran for the first time in the country. The honor goes to a locomotive engine that ran in 1846, the model of which can still be seen outside Roorkee station.
Roorkee also witnessed the upheavals of the freedom movement. There are still trees around Roorkee where freedom fighters were hanged in full public view. One can still spot such trees, especially in the village of Sunehra, beside the K.L. Polytechnic hostel.
One can also witness the famous government irrigation workshop in the tunnel where British officers, civilians, and their families took shelter when the revolt of 1857 broke out.
It would be worth mentioning that the famous IIT has its genesis in Roorkee College. Constituted in 1847, it was the only engineering college in the country.
This institute was later rechristened Thomason College of Civil Engineering in 1854. In 1946, electrical and Mechanical Engineering were included in the curriculum, and the name was changed to Thomason College of Engineering.
In 1949, the institute was elevated to the status of Independent India’s first engineering university. On September 21, 2001, the government of India elevated this institute to the level of IIT.
Another significant landmark of Roorkee is the Roorkee Cantonment. One of the oldest cantonments in the country, it is the headquarters of the Indian Army’s Bengal Engineering Group and Centre, also popularly known as the Bengal Sappers.
Bengal Sappers' genesis is Bengal Pioneers, raised in Kanpur by Capt. Tom Wood in 1803. Bengal Sappers was founded in 1819. Later, both these organizations were merged and headquartered in Ludhiana.
1853 saw the headquarters being shifted to Roorkee, where it is currently situated. For more info, click: http://www.bsoaroorkee.org/ 

http://www.bsoaroorkee.org/

Town History

To visit Roorkee, a town in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, you would first need to plan your trip by deciding on your mode of transportation and booking any necessary travel arrangements. Some options for getting to Roorkee include:

By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is around 70 km away from Roorkee. From there, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Roorkee.

By Train: Roorkee has its own railway station, which is well connected to major cities in India via the Indian Railways network. Trains such as Shatabdi Express, Jan Shatabdi Express, and many other express and passenger trains connect Roorkee to major cities like Delhi, Haridwar, Dehradun, Varanasi, and more.
You can check the schedule and book the tickets from the Indian Railways website or the local bus station for more accurate and updated information.

By Bus: Roorkee is well connected by road, and there are regular bus services from major cities in the region. State-run and private buses connect Roorkee with cities like Delhi, Haridwar, Dehradun, and more.

By Car: Roorkee is well connected by road, and one can hire a car or drive to Roorkee from nearby cities like Delhi, Haridwar, Dehradun, and more.

Once you have arrived in Roorkee, you can explore the town and its surroundings. Some popular attractions include the Roorkee Cantonment, the Roorkee College of Engineering, and the Roorkee Aqueduct

You may also ask the local tourism office for more information and help.

You can find various accommodation options depending on your budget and preferences. Some options include:

Hotels: Several hotels in Roorkee offer comfortable accommodations at different price ranges. From budget-friendly options to luxury hotels, you can find various hotels in Roorkee that provide amenities like air-conditioning, wifi, and more.

Guesthouses: Many guesthouses in Roorkee offer basic accommodation at affordable prices. Local families usually run these and can be a great way to experience local culture.

Homestays: Homestays are popular for travelers who want to experience the local culture and lifestyle. You can find many homestays in Roorkee that offer comfortable accommodations with meals that include

Hostels: There are also hostels in Roorkee that offer budget-friendly accommodation. These are ideal for backpackers and budget-conscious travelers.

You can book the accommodation in advance through various online booking platforms or check with the local tourism office for more information.

How to Visit Roorkee

The National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) in Roorkee is a premier institute for research and education in the field of hydrology and water resources management in India. The institute was established in 1988 by the government of India's Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

The NIH in Roorkee conducts research on various aspects of hydrology, such as surface and ground water resources, water management, floods, droughts, and water quality. The institute also conducts research on the impact of climate change on water resources and how to adapt to it.

The institute is equipped with state-of-the-art research facilities and equipment, including a hydrological observatory, a water quality laboratory, and a remote sensing laboratory. The institute also has a field station for conducting research on river systems in the region.

The NIH in Roorkee also offers undergraduate and graduate-level programs in hydrology and water resources management. These programs provide students with a strong foundation in the scientific and technical aspects of hydrology, as well as the policies and practices related to water resources management.

The institute also provides training and consultancy services to government agencies, non-government organizations and private sectors on various aspects of hydrology and water resources management.

In conclusion, the National Institute of Hydrology in Roorkee is a premier institute for research and education in the field of hydrology and water resources management in India. It conducts cutting-edge research and provides education and training on various aspects of hydrology and water resources management to students and professionals. The institute plays an important role in providing scientific and technical support for the sustainable management of water resources in India.

The National Institute of Hydrology (NIH)

Roorkee.org is a website that provides information about the town of Roorkee and its surrounding areas. The website covers many topics, including history, culture, education, tourism, and more. If you are interested in becoming a contributor for Roorkee.org, there are a few steps you can take to make it happen.

First, you should familiarize yourself with the website and its content. Browse through the different sections and get a sense of the types of articles and information that are featured on the site. This will give you an idea of the type of content that is in demand and what kind of articles would be a good fit for the website.

Next, you should consider your areas of expertise and interests. If you have a background or interest in a specific topic related to Roorkee, such as history, culture, or education, you can use that knowledge to write informative and engaging articles for the website.

Once you have an idea of the type of content you would like to contribute, you can reach out to the website's editor or administrator to inquire about becoming a contributor. Be sure to include a brief introduction of yourself, your qualifications, and your areas of expertise.

If you are accepted as a contributor, you will likely be asked to submit a writing sample or pitch for your proposed article. This will give the editor an idea of your writing style and the quality of your content. Once your writing is accepted, you will be given guidelines and deadlines for submitting your content.

In conclusion, becoming a contributor for Roorkee.org is a great way to share your knowledge and passion for the town of Roorkee with a wider audience. By familiarizing yourself with the website, identifying your areas of expertise, and reaching out to the editor, you can take the first step towards becoming a valued contributor to the website.

Become a Roorkee.org Contributor

If you have a business in Roorkee that you want to promote online, then look no further.

Roorkee.org allows users to create posts and publish them for free, the post can contain details and one picture about your business

Posts can be created by going to "My Account" Link, logging in with your google account, then clicking the pink "plus" icon and filling in the form.

If you run into challenges feel free to send me an email at admin AT roorkee.org

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