History

Roorkee is of some antiquity and is said to derive its name from RURI, the wife of a rajput chieftain. Roorkee was spelled as RURKI in 1887 edition of the Saharanpur Gazetteer. According to Ain-i-Akbari (Author – Abul Fazal), RURKI or ROORKEE was the capital of a Pargana (Mahal) in the time of Emperor Akbar, but was reduced in stature in the time of Zabita Khan with the formation of Sakrauda, the estate of Rao Qutb-ud-Din. From about the middle of 18th century, it was included in the estate of Gurjars of the small estate of Landhaura (Near Roorkee), and remained in their possession till Raja Ramdayal died in 1813. In British occupation, it was a mere mud-built village. The growth of Roorkee as it exists today can be said to have started in 1840 when construction of Ganga canal was undertaken. Thereafter, the things moved very fast with establishment of Engineering Workshop, Churches, Schools, Engineering College and Cantonment etc. Solani Aqueduct constructed more than 150 years ago to take the Ganga canal across Solani River, is less than one km. away and is considered a brilliant engineering fiat.