Haryana
| Haryana | |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Land of Gods |
| Capital | Chandigarh |
| Largest City | Faridabad |
| Country | India |
| Official Language | Hindi |
| Area | 44,212 km² |
| Population | 2.8 crore (approx.) |
| Districts | 22 |
| Founded | 1 November 1966 |
Haryana is a state located in northern India, known as the Land of Gods due to its deep association with Hindu mythology, epic literature and ancient religious traditions. Haryana surrounds the national capital New Delhi on three sides and is one of the most prosperous and strategically important states in India. It was carved out of the former Punjab state on 1 November 1966 on the basis of language, with Hindi-speaking areas forming the new state of Haryana while Punjabi-speaking areas remained with Punjab.
Geography
Haryana is landlocked and bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to the east, Rajasthan to the south and southwest, and Delhi to the east. The state lies in the fertile Indo-Gangetic plain and is drained by the Yamuna River in the east and the Ghaggar River in the northwest.
The Aravalli Hills form a natural boundary along the southern edge of the state. Haryana has no coastline and is entirely surrounded by other Indian states and the national capital territory.
History
Haryana has an extraordinarily ancient and significant history. The region is believed to be the birthplace of the Vedic civilisation and is mentioned extensively in ancient Hindu scriptures. The famous Kurukshetra in Haryana is the site of the legendary Battle of Mahabharata and the place where Lord Krishna delivered the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna — one of the most sacred events in Hindu tradition.
The region was part of several powerful ancient kingdoms and empires including the Mauryas, Guptas and the Delhi Sultanate. The three Battles of Panipat — decisive turning points in Indian history — were fought in Haryana in 1526, 1556 and 1761.
During the British period, Haryana was part of the Punjab province. After Indian independence, it remained part of the reorganised Punjab state until 1 November 1966, when it was established as a separate state.
Economy
Haryana is one of the most economically prosperous states in India, with one of the highest per capita incomes among Indian states. Key sectors include:
- Agriculture — Haryana is a major producer of wheat, rice, sugarcane, cotton and oilseeds; the state played a significant role in India's Green Revolution
- Automobile Industry — Gurugram and Manesar are major automobile manufacturing hubs; Haryana is one of India's leading automobile producing states
- Information Technology — Gurugram (formerly Gurgaon) is one of India's premier IT and corporate hubs, home to hundreds of multinational companies
- Real Estate and Infrastructure — Rapid urbanisation and infrastructure development, particularly in the NCR region
- Sports — Haryana has produced a disproportionately large number of India's Olympic and Commonwealth Games medal winners
Tourism
Haryana is home to several significant religious, historical and natural attractions:
- Kurukshetra — The sacred site of the Mahabharata war and the Bhagavad Gita, one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage destinations
- Panipat — The historic battlefield site of three decisive battles that shaped Indian history
- Sultanpur National Park — A renowned bird sanctuary near Gurugram attracting hundreds of migratory bird species
- Pinjore Gardens (Yadavindra Gardens) — Magnificent Mughal-era terraced gardens near Chandigarh
- Morni Hills — The only hill station in Haryana, offering scenic natural beauty
- Brahma Sarovar — A sacred lake in Kurukshetra where solar eclipses draw millions of pilgrims
Culture
Haryana has a vibrant and deeply rooted cultural tradition. The state is known for its folk music including Ragini and Saang performances, and folk dances such as Phag, Dhamal and Gugga. Haryana's wrestlers and sportspersons have brought the state tremendous national and international recognition.
Haryanvi cuisine features simple and wholesome dishes such as Bajra Khichdi, Kadhi, Rabri, Bathua Raita and the famous Haryanvi lassi. The state celebrates festivals including Teej, Gugga Navami, Lohri and Baisakhi with great enthusiasm.
Education
Haryana has several prominent educational institutions:
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kurukshetra
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Rohtak
- National Institute of Technology (NIT) Kurukshetra
- Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra
- Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak
Transport
Haryana has a well-connected transport network:
- Airports — Chandigarh International Airport; Hindon Airport near Faridabad
- Railways — Haryana is well connected by the Indian Railways network with major junctions at Ambala, Rohtak, Panipat and Faridabad
- Roads — The state has an extensive network of national highways; the Delhi-Chandigarh National Highway 44 and the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway 48 pass through Haryana
- Metro — Delhi Metro extends into Gurugram and Faridabad, providing rapid transit connectivity with the national capital