Roorkee got its name from Ruri, the wife of a Rajput tribal chief. This is supported by the fact that Roorkee was once spelled as Rurki. During Akbar’s reign, Roorkee was the headquarters of the Mahal or Pargana. Its status, however, diminished with the founding of Skaruda, the estate of Rao Qutb-ud-Din during Zabita Khan’s time. 

In the eighteenth century, it was incorporated into the Landhaura estate, which was ruled by the Gurjars. It remained with them until 1813, when their king, Raja Ramdaval, died. It was a small village until work on the Ganga Canal began. The canal's construction marked this village's transition into a planned and developed town. Col. P.T. Cautley, a British Army officer, played a key role in building the canal. According to the Department of Hydrology, the canal, still regarded as an engineering marvel, was completed in 1853, with water first released on April 8, 1854. 

Roorkee also holds the distinction of being the first place in the country where a railway engine was first run. The honor goes to a locomotive that ran in 1846, and its model can still be seen outside Roorkee station. 

The town also witnessed the upheavals of the freedom movement. Trees around Roorkee still stand where freedom fighters were publicly hanged—particularly in the village of Sunehra, beside the K.L. Polytechnic hostel. 

Visitors can also see the historic government irrigation workshop, located in the tunnel shelter used by British officers, civilians, and their families during the 1857 revolt. 

It’s worth noting that the renowned IIT has its origins in Roorkee College, established in 1847 as the country’s first engineering college. This institution was later renamed Thomason College of Civil Engineering in 1854. In 1946, it expanded to include electrical and mechanical engineering, and the name was changed to Thomason College of Engineering. In 1949, it became India’s first independent engineering university, and on September 21, 2001, it was elevated to the status of IIT. 

Another landmark is the Roorkee Cantonment, one of the oldest in India, serving as the headquarters for the Indian Army’s Bengal Engineering Group and Centre, popularly known as the Bengal Sappers. The Bengal Sappers originally trace their origins back to the Bengal Pioneers, which were formed in Kanpur by Captain Tom Wood in 1803, with the Bengal Sappers officially established in 1819. Later, the two groups merged and relocated their headquarters to Ludhiana. In 1853, the headquarters was relocated to Roorkee, where it remains today. For more info, visit: 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

Promote your business for free

Roorkee is a small town located in the northern state of Uttarakhand in India. It is situated on the banks of the Ganges river and is known for its rich history and cultural heritage. The town was founded in the 18th century by the British East India Company and was an important center of trade and commerce during the colonial era.

Roorkee is also known for its educational institutions. The town is home to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, which is one of the premier engineering institutes in the country. The town is also home to the University of Roorkee, which is one of the oldest technical universities in Asia.

The town is also famous for its historical monuments and temples. Some of the popular tourist spots in Roorkee include the Roorkee Cantonment, the Roorkee Aqueduct, and the Jama Masjid. The town also has a number of temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Hindu deities.

Roorkee is also known for its proximity to the Himalayas. The town is a popular base for trekkers and hikers who want to explore the beautiful mountain ranges of Uttarakhand. The town is also popular among adventure enthusiasts who come here to indulge in activities like rock climbing, paragliding, and bungee jumping.

In conclusion, Roorkee is a small town with a rich history and cultural heritage. Its educational institutions, historical monuments and temples, natural beauty, and proximity to the Himalayas make it an attractive destination for tourists and visitors.

The famous Ganga Canal which was constructed more than 150 years ago can well be said to be the identity of the place. And a very important one too, after all it was from here that Roorkee started its march towards glory and prosperity

IIT is another reason that makes Roorkee a globally recognizable face. It would be of great interest to know that the famed IIT has its genesis in Roorkee College constituted in 1847 with the purpose of providing survey and technical training to the locals for the construction of Ganga Canal.

The institute was elevated to the status of Independent India’s first engineering university in 1949. And on September 21, 2001 Government of India elevated this institute to the level of IIT. It would not be a misnomer to state that IIT Roorkee is a jewel not only for Roorkee or Uttarakhand, but a pride for the entire nation.

No description of Roorkee can be complete without the mention of Roorkee Cantonment. One of the oldest cantonments in the country, it is the headquarter of Indian Army’s Bengal Engineering Group and Centre, also popular as Bengal Sappers. War memorial is another highpoint of Roorkee. Replica of Mahmood’s tower, it is one of the attractions of Roorkee and was built to commemorate the bravery of Subedar Devi Singh and his men who stormed the Ghazni fort in Afghanistan.

Roorkee is also home to several important research centers. Some of the important ones are:

Central Building Research Institute (Government of India)

National Institute of Hydrology (M/o of Water Resources, Government of India)

Irrigation Research Institute (Under State Government)

Irrigation Design Organisation (Under State Government)

Government Irrigational Workshop (Under State Government)

Roorkee is also famous for its Drawing and Survey Instrument Industry. Right from the time of British, Roorkee has remained an important place for the manufacture of survey instruments. Construction of Ganga Canal, coming up of the engineering college, and later the shifting of Bengal Engineering Group and Centre gave much needed boost to the survey instrument industry. Today there are 75 big, small survey and drawing instrument units which are into production of instruments worth crores of rupees annually. With the export-oriented industry expecting a boom, the annual export of the industries of Roorkee is expected to touch a whopping Rs. 70 crore mark. 

About the Town

The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee, formerly the University of Roorkee, is a public university located in Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India. Established in 1847, it was given university status in 1949 and, in 2001, was converted into an IIT, thus becoming the seventh Indian Institute of Technology to be declared.

IIT Roorkee is not a university but a replacement for the University of Roorkee. The name University of Roorkee appears in all the official documents till 2001, when it was closed. IIT Roorkee has 18 academic departments covering engineering, applied sciences, humanities & social sciences, and management programs. It claims to be the technical institution with the most significant number of academic units in India.

IIT Roorkee offers academic programs in Engineering, Technology, Applied Sciences, and Management. It runs eleven undergraduate (UG), five integrated dual degrees, three integrated M.Tech., three integrated M.Sc., sixty-one postgraduate (PG), and several doctoral programs.

The institute admits students to B.Tech., B.Arch., and integrated M.Tech/M.Sc courses through the IIT-Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) are conducted at centers all over India. Before being converted into an IIT, the university selected students through the Roorkee Entrance Exam (REE) conducted on an All-India level. The selectivity of REE was close to 2%. After IIT-JEE, it was considered India's second most challenging engineering entrance examination.[citation needed] Admission to PG programs in engineering and architecture is based on a GATE score and/or a written test and interview. For PG programs in fundamental sciences, admission is based on the Joint Admission Test (JAM).

Along with the engineering courses, the institute offers a two-year residential MBA program for which the admissions, starting from 2011, will be done based on Common Admission Test, thus replacing Joint Management Entrance Test (JMET) previously conducted by IITs.[8] The institute also offers an interdisciplinary program in computer applications leading to a degree in Master of computer applications (MCA). The MCA program is a three-year course, and admission for the course is through JAM

According to statistics published by the institute in 2007-08, 4137 students were enrolled in the institute across all programs. The student-to-academic-staff ratio was 2.6:1, and that of UG/PG students was 1.4:1.

As in other IITs, the institute follows a credit system for evaluating academic performance. The grade point average (GPA) is on a scale of 0 to 10. Courses are allotted the number of credits according to their importance. Each academic year is divided into two semesters, and teaching programs are organized around the credit system. Teaching includes lectures, tutorials, practicals, projects, seminars, dissertations, and field and industrial training. 