The Hindoo temples on the plains near Meerut

This is plate 6 from AE Scott's 'Simla Scenes'. Meerut was an old town whose establishment could be traced to ancient times. It had been a centre of Buddhism in the age of Emperor Ashoka, and of sufficient importance in Akbar's period to be a mint for copper coins. By the early 19th century it was depopulated, however, with little trade. The establishment of British cantonments here in 1806 sparked a recovery. Soon the population expanded and trade flourished and Meerut became the centre of an important cotton-growing district.