History of Haryana

Haryana is a state in India. The state houses several sites from the Indus Valley Civilization, which was a cradle of civilization. In the Mahabharata, Haryana is mentioned as Bahudanayak Region.

Haryana has been ruled by various non-native polities including the Gupta Empire, Pushyabhuti dynasty, Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty, Tomara Dynasty, Chahamanas of Shakambhari, Ghurid dynasty, Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Durrani Empire, Maratha Empire, (George Thomas), Gwalior State, Company Rule in India and British Raj.

The Jats significantly ruled the Haryana region which was earlier Punjab. Some Jat states in Haryana state were Jind, Kaithal, Hisar, Ladwa, Ballabgarh and others. Jats in Mughal period were ruling under Khap panchayat heads. And in later medieval period , they were ruling under Misls and Sikh Empire.

During Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire, Haryana was known as Delhi Subah. Many historically significant battles have been fought in it such as Battle of Tarain, Battle of Panipat, and Battle of Karnal.

After the Mughals, Haryana became Maratha Empire possession. After the treaty of Surji-Anjangaon of 1803, Haryana was annexed by the British Empire and was later merged with North West Provinces. After revolt of 1857, in April 1858 Haryana, then known as Delhi Territory, was merged with Punjab Province as a punishment.

During the British Colonial period, from 1858 to 1947 it was administered as a part of the Punjab province. It became a separate administrative state of India in 1966. Chandigarh is the joint capital for the states of Punjab and Haryana.

Chronological history

Paleolithic

History of human presence in Haryana dates back to 100,000 years ago. Archaeologists discovered cave paintings and tools in Mangar Bani hill forest in May 2021; the cave paintings are estimated to be 100,000 years old. These are believed to be the largest in the Indian subcontinent and possibly the world's oldest.

Neolithic

Neolithic are numerous in Haryana, specially the pre- IVC phases found at Bhirrana, Siswal, Rakhigarhi, Kunal,The Harappan Civilisation: Its Sub-cultures
Daily Pioneer, 10 May 2018. etc.

Indus Valley Civilisation

Indus Valley civilisation evolved on the banks of Rigvedic rivers Indus and Sarasvati rivers. Sarasvati and its tributary Drishadvati river ( Ghaggar) flow through north and central Haryana and there are numerous IVC sites in haryana along paleochannels of these rivers, notable among those are the Rakhi Garhi, Banawali, Bhirrana, Farmana, Jognakhera, Mitathal, Siswal, and IVC mines and smelter at Tosham. Haryana govt is undertaking projects to revive Saraswati and Rakhigarhi Indus Valley Civilisation Museum has been constructed for the conservation of the artifacts.

Vedic period

During the Vedic era, there were janapada in Haryana from 1500 BCE 6th century BCE, which evolved into mahajanapadas which lasted from 6th century BCE to 4th century BCE. During Janpada period Kuru janpada covered most of Haryana and their area was called Kurukshetra, except South Haryana where Matsaya janpada (700–300 BCE) covered Mewat in Haryana (and Alwar in Rajasthan) and Surasena janpada covered Braj region including parts of Haryana near Barsana (such as Punhana and Hodal). After mahabharta and subsequent ashvamedha yagna, Kuru janpada evolved into a mahajanapada which sovereignty over other janpadas. The sandy bagar tract in northwestern and westcentral Haryana on Haryana-Rajasthan border was part of the larger jangladesh which also covered thar area of Rajasthan. Lord Krishna revealed Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna at Jyotisar. Śrauta were codified in Haryana during Kuru mahajanpada era, and notable sites in Haryana related to rishi authors are Bilaspur (Vyas Puri) and Kapal Mochan both related to Rishi Ved Vyasa who wrote mahabharta on the banks of Saraswati at hish ashram