MORADABAD

city, administrative headquarters of Moradabad district, Uttar Pradesh state, northern India, on a ridge along the Ramganga River. Moradabad was founded in 1625 by Rustam Khan (a Mughal general), who built the fort north of the city as well as the Jami' Masjid, a large mosque. Located at a major road and rail junction, it is a trade centre for agricultural products. Industries include cotton milling and weaving, metalworking, electroplating, and printing. Moradabad district, 2,288 sq mi (5,946 sq km) in area, consists of a level plain bounded by the Ganges River (west) and drained by the Ramganga. Grains, cotton, and sugarcane are grown. Sugar milling and cotton weaving are the principal industries. Moradabad, Sambhal, Amroha, and Chandausi are the major urban areas. Pop. (1981) town, 330,051; metropolitan area, 345,350; district, 3,149,406.