SAHARANPUR

town, northwestern Uttar Pradesh state, northern India, situated at the junction of several roads and rail lines. Saharanpur was founded about 1340 and is named for Shah Haran Chishti, a Muslim saint. The town's industries include railway workshops, cotton and sugar processing, papermaking, and other manufactures. Saharanpur also has an active trade in agricultural produce. The Central Fruit Research Institute, the Government Botanical Gardens, an aviation training centre, and several colleges are located in the town. Principal crops of the surrounding region are grains, cotton, and sugarcane. Pop. (1981) 295,355.