Race Course

Meerut Race Course is one of the oldest race courses in India and was established in 1867. It was built on the common parade ground of the two native infantry units posted here before its post-1857 reorganisation. This was the site of the beginning of the uprising of 1857 within the military section of Meerut cantonment. The Race Course has the distinction of having the longest 800-meter stretch of straight run anywhere in the country. On the evening of 10th May 1857 with the outburst of the great uprising having occurred within the Indian half of the Meerut Cantonment, the sepoys of 11th and 20th Native Infantry congregated here after taking control of their weapons. It was at this spot where the commander of the 11th Native Infantry Col John Finnis was gunned down by the sepoys when he tried to control the agitating soldiers. He was the first European officer killed in the Great Uprising of 1857.