Rampur is a city and the administrative headquarters of Rampur district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Located in the Rohilkhand region of western Uttar Pradesh, the city lies on the banks of the Kosi river and is well known for its historical association with the former princely state of Rampur, its Indo-Islamic cultural heritage, and the Rampur Raza Library, one of the most important repositories of Indo-Islamic manuscripts in South Asia.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Uttar Pradesh |
| Region | Rohilkhand |
| District | Rampur |
| Type | City and Municipal Corporation; district headquarters |
| Languages | Hindi, Urdu |
| Notable institution | Rampur Raza Library |
Rampur is situated in the Indo-Gangetic plains of north India, in the western part of Uttar Pradesh. The terrain is generally flat and alluvial, well suited to agriculture, with the Kosi river flowing past the city. Rampur lies on the route connecting Moradabad to Bareilly, and falls within the broader Rohilkhand cultural and geographic zone.
Rampur came to prominence in the 18th century as the seat of a Rohilla principality. The princely state of Rampur was founded by Nawab Faizullah Khan in 1774, following the conclusion of the Rohilla Wars and an arrangement with the Nawab of Awadh and the British East India Company. It became one of the few Rohilla-ruled states to survive into the colonial period.
Under successive Nawabs, Rampur developed as a centre of Urdu and Persian scholarship, classical music, miniature painting, and Islamic learning. After India's independence in 1947, the state of Rampur acceded to the Indian Union; it was formally merged with the United Provinces (later Uttar Pradesh) in 1949, and the Nawab's territories were reorganised as Rampur district.
Rampur has a long association with Urdu literature and the Rampur–Sahaswan gharana of Hindustani classical music. The city's culinary traditions are noted for their refined Mughlai and Awadhi influences, and Rampuri cuisine is recognised as a distinct regional style.
The Rampur Raza Library, established by the Nawabs in the late 18th century and now an institution under the Ministry of Culture of the Government of India, houses an extensive collection of Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Urdu, Hindi, Sanskrit and Pashto manuscripts, miniature paintings, astronomical instruments, and rare specimens of Islamic calligraphy. It is housed in the historic Hamid Manzil within the Rampur Fort complex.
The economy of Rampur is based on a mix of agriculture, agro-processing, and traditional crafts. The surrounding district is a producer of sugarcane, wheat, and paddy, and supports sugar mills and allied industries. The city is historically known for handicrafts including Rampuri knives, zari and patchwork embroidery, and chikan-style needlework, though several of these crafts have declined over time.
Rampur is connected by the Northern Railway, with Rampur Junction lying on the Moradabad–Bareilly section, providing rail links to Delhi, Lucknow and other major cities. National Highway 530B and other state highways pass through the district, linking Rampur with Moradabad, Bareilly, and Nainital. The nearest major airport is at Pantnagar, with international connectivity available via Delhi.
Rampur city serves as the headquarters of Rampur district and is administered by a municipal body responsible for civic services. The district is part of the Moradabad division of Uttar Pradesh and sends representatives to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly and to the Lok Sabha through the Rampur parliamentary constituency.