Shamli
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
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.
Shamli
Town in the Kairana tahsil of Muzaffarnagar District, United Provinces, situated in 29 degree 27' N. and 77 1 8' E., on the metalled road from Muzaffarnagar town to Kairana. Population (1901), 7,478. It was originally known as Muhammadpur Zanardar, and formed part of the grant made to Mukarrab Khan, physician to Jahangir and Shah Jahan, The town was built later by a follower of Mukarrab Khan's called Shyam. In 1794 it was the residence of a Maratha commandant, who was suspected of intriguing with the Sikhs. Lakwa Dada, the Maratha governor, sent George Thomas against the town. Thomas stormed it, and killed the commandant and his principal adherents. In 1804 Colonel Burn was surrounded near this place by an overwhelming force of Marathas, who were joined by the inhabi- tants, but he was relieved by the opportune advance of Lord Lake. During the Mutiny the tahsildar of Shamli gallantly held the town and kept communications open for several months, but was defeated and slain by the Shaikhzadas of Thana Bhawan in September, 1857. The head-quarters of the tahstl and munsift have been removed to Kairana, owing to a terrible epidemic of fever. The place was once a municipality, but decayed, and is now administered under Act XX of 1856, with an income of about Rs. 2,500. Four schools are maintained.
