The Haryana Junction

This weekend, I visited three major archaeological sites of Haryana: Thed Sirsa, Agroha, Rakhigarhi and some heritage points of Jind district. New excavations have begun at Agroha and Rakhigarhi, while the Sirsa archaeological mound, which had been illegally occupied by people, has been converted into houses. The administration performed a remarkable job in 2018-19, not only clearing the mound but also protecting it by building a boundary wall around it. According to historians, this mound once housed the Sirsa Fort.

Agroha, located in the Hisar district, is deeply woven into the cultural fabric of India as the legendary capital of King Agrasen and the traditional origin of the Agrawal community. Excavations here have unveiled a remarkable, continuous settlement dating from the 4th century BCE right up to the 14th century CE. Digs have unearthed fascinating artifacts, including coins from the ancient Agrodaka republic, a hoard of Indo-Greek currency, and the structural remains of a significant Buddhist stupa and Hindu temples.
Further west lies Thed Sirsa, a prominent archaeological mound right in the heart of modern-day Sirsa. This site is widely believed to be the ancient city of Sairishaka, which finds mention in the epic Mahabharata. The layers of earth here tell a story of virtually uninterrupted human occupation. Findings start from the Painted Grey Ware (PGW) culture of the early Iron Age and stretch all the way into the medieval period, making it a crucial site for understanding the region’s continuous historical timeline.
Perhaps the most globally recognized of the three is Rakhigarhi, also situated in the Hisar district. This site completely rewrote the history books when it was identified as one of the largest known metropolises of the Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilization. The site reveals a highly organized ancient world, complete with sophisticated drainage systems, paved streets, terracotta toys, and granaries. More recently, excavations in its necropolis have provided groundbreaking DNA evidence, offering unprecedented and vital insights into the ancestry and lives of the Harappan people.

बसंत पंचमी का त्योहार और हरियाणा की धरती की खूबसूरती - यह मेल सच में बहुत शानदार है। जब हम दक्षिणी और पश्चिमी हरियाणा की तरफ जाते हैं, खासकर फतेहाबाद से हिसार, भिवानी, चरखी-दादरी, महेंद्रगढ़ और रेवाड़ी की तरफ, तो नज़ारा मनमोहक होता है।

जहां तक ​​नज़र जाती है, बसंत के चमकीले पीले रंग में डूबे सरसों के खेत हवा में झूम रहे होते हैं। ऐसा लगता है जैसे प्रकृति ने धरती पर पीले मखमल का कालीन बिछा दिया हो। ये लहराते हुए खेत सिर्फ़ एक फसल नहीं हैं, बल्कि हमारे किसान भाइयों की कड़ी मेहनत और आने वाली खुशहाली का प्रतीक हैं।

हवा में सरसों के फूलों की मीठी खुशबू फैली होती है और खेतों में खिलता यह 'पीला सोना' मन को एक अनोखी शांति देता है। देवी सरस्वती आप सभी के जीवन को ज्ञान और खुशियों की रोशनी से भर दें।

आप सभी को बसंत पंचमी की बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएँ!...🌼🌼

हरियाणा के महेंद्रगढ़ ज़िले में बसा नारनौल सिर्फ़ एक कस्बा नहीं है; यह भारतीय इतिहास की एक परतदार कहानी है। अक्सर ज़्यादा मशहूर टूरिस्ट सर्किट की वजह से नज़रअंदाज़ किया जाने वाला नारनौल और उसके आस-पास के गाँव हज़ारों साल पुरानी एक दिलचस्प, परतदार कहानी पेश करते हैं, जिसकी जड़ें महाभारत काल तक जाती हैं।

इसकी रणनीतिक जगह ने इसे मध्यकाल में एक अहम केंद्र बनाया, जो दिल्ली सल्तनत, सूरी वंश और मुगलों के समय फला-फूला। यह समृद्ध अतीत शहर भर में फैले शानदार स्मारकों की श्रृंखला में साफ़ दिखता है। वास्तुकला का सबसे शानदार नमूना निस्संदेह इब्राहिम खान सूरी का मकबरा है, जिसे उनके पोते, सम्राट शेर शाह सूरी ने बनवाया था। यह विशाल, अष्टकोणीय मकबरा पठान वास्तुकला का एक मास्टरपीस है, जो मुगल शैली से पहले का है और अपने जटिल बहुरंगी टाइल के काम के लिए मशहूर है।

पास ही शांत जल महल (वॉटर पैलेस) है। 1591 में अकबर के नारनौल के गवर्नर शाह कुली खान द्वारा बनवाया गया, यह एक बड़े तालाब में अकेला खड़ा है, जो उस युग की परिष्कृत मनोरंजन वास्तुकला का प्रमाण है। आसमान में 'चोर गुंबद' की शानदार इमारत दिखाई देती है। मूल रूप से तुगलक-युग की संरचना, यह "नारनौल का साइनबोर्ड" के नाम से मशहूर हो गई, जो मीलों दूर से दिखाई देती थी, और प्राचीन व्यापार मार्गों पर यात्रियों को शहर की मौजूदगी का संकेत देती थी।

विरासत के निशान शहर की सीमाओं से कहीं आगे आस-पास के गाँवों तक फैले हुए हैं। थोड़ी ही दूरी पर धोसी पहाड़ी है, जो कुलताजपुर और थाना गाँवों के पास स्थित एक विलुप्त ज्वालामुखी है। यह जगह ऐतिहासिक रूप से बहुत महत्वपूर्ण है, जिसे च्यवन ऋषि के वैदिक आश्रम के रूप में पूजा जाता है, जो आयुर्वेदिक फ़ॉर्मूला 'च्यवनप्राश' का कथित जन्मस्थान है। पहाड़ी पर प्राचीन मंदिर परिसर, गुफाएँ और एक किले के अवशेष हैं, जहाँ से ग्रामीण परिदृश्य के मनोरम दृश्य दिखाई देते हैं, जो अभी भी ऐतिहासिक बावड़ियों (बावली) से भरा हुआ है।

I’ve had countless chances to explore the heritage sites of Farrukhnagar and Jhajjar, as I’ve passed through this area hundreds of times for work and family reasons. Farrukhnagar, a town founded in 1732 by Faujdar Khan, a governor of Emperor Farrukhsiyar, has experienced many transformations over time. It has witnessed the rule of the Mughal Empire, the reign of Raja Surajmal of Bharatpur, the British era with its salt trade, and the prosperous businesses of the Jain community. Initially, Farrukhnagar was a small town, a village-like settlement within the fort walls. During the Emperor’s reign, merchants from surrounding villages were invited and settled here for trade. They built hundreds of havelis (mansions) and mansion-like shops, many of which remained until 1996. However, in the last decade, due to the arrival of private companies and its proximity to Gurgaon, the town has expanded far beyond the fort walls, stretching for several kilometers. Once renowned for its fort, Sheesh Mahal, gateways, havelis, chhatris (cenotaphs), stepwells, and old shops, Farrukhnagar has now forgotten its past. These heritage structures are gradually disappearing. When I recently passed through, I learned that the western gate of the fort has now been demolished. Additionally, the nearby blacksmiths’ mosque and three large, artistic havelis were permanently erased in 2025. Because the fort gate was located in a secluded lane, few people besides locals knew about it. Even today, several important historical sites remain hidden within a few kilometers of Farrukhnagar, unknown to history enthusiasts, perhaps because their interests lie elsewhere. The Farrukhnagar railway station, built during the British era for salt transportation, is the second oldest station in Haryana and remained in its original form until a few years ago. The Sheesh Mahal, once used as a court and later as a school, has begun undergoing restoration and will soon be seen in its renewed form.

The history of Hisar, a prominent city in the diverse landscape of Haryana, is a narrative woven through centuries of imperial ambition, strategic fortification, and resilience. Located in the semi-arid region of the Indian subcontinent, the town’s origins are distinctly medieval, though the surrounding region shares a lineage with the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. The story of the town proper begins in 1354 AD, when Firoz Shah Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi, envisioned a fortified settlement to supervise the trade routes connecting Delhi to Khorasan and to provide a respite in the dry hinterlands. 
Originally named “Hisar-e-Firoza,” which translates from Persian and Arabic as the “Fort of Firoz,” the town was established as a walled city. The Sultan, known for his architectural patronage, constructed a massive wall surrounded by a deep ditch. The city was accessible through four imposing gates, each named for the direction it faced or the destination it led to: the Delhi Gate to the east, the Mori Gate, the Nagori Gate to the south, and the Talaqi Gate to the west. To sustain the population in this water-scarce region, Firoz Shah engineered an extensive canal system, bringing water from the Yamuna river, a feat that transformed the arid soil into arable land and laid the foundation for the region’s agricultural future.  Central to the town’s medieval identity is the Gujri Mahal, a palace complex built by Firoz Shah for his beloved Gujri, a local milkmaid who captured the Sultan’s heart but refused to accompany him to Delhi. The palace stands as a testament to Tughlaq architecture, characterized by its use of red sandstone and grey stone, massive sloping walls, and intricate pillars. Unlike many other monuments of the era which were exclusively for royalty, the complex remains a unique symbol of the intersection between imperial power and local folklore. The Lat ki Masjid, also located within the fort complex, features a distinct pillar (Lat) reminiscent of Ashokan edicts, further highlighting the layering of history in the town’s architecture.  Continue in Comments……👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

On 12 November 1996, one of the deadliest mid-air collisions in aviation history occurred near Charkhi Dadri, a town in the Indian state of Haryana. The tragedy involved Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight 763, a Boeing 747 en route from New Delhi to Dhahran, and Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907, an Ilyushin Il-76 cargo aircraft approaching New Delhi from Shymkent, Kazakhstan. The collision resulted in the deaths of all 349 people on board both aircraft, making it the world’s deadliest mid-air collision and one of the worst aviation disasters ever recorded.

The Saudi Boeing 747 had taken off from Indira Gandhi International Airport and was climbing to its assigned altitude of 14,000 feet, while the Kazakh Il-76 was descending to 15,000 feet in preparation for landing. At around 6:40 p.m. local time, radar controllers in New Delhi lost contact with both aircraft. Moments earlier, the two planes had collided at an altitude of approximately 14,000 feet over the village of Charkhi Dadri. The impact caused both aircraft to disintegrate in mid-air, scattering wreckage and bodies across several square kilometers of farmland.

Last week, I embarked on an enriching two-day heritage tour through the historic towns of Hansi, Barwala, Tohana, Kheri Jalba, Jind, Kalayat, and Kaithal. This journey proved to be a tapestry of emotions, where I encountered two pieces of heartbreaking news alongside two uplifting stories in the charming town of Kaithal.

The sorrowful news struck me like a thunderclap: both the grand and intricately designed Jain Havelis, proud sentinels of Kaithal's architectural heritage, have been tragically reduced to rubble. Situated prominently in the bustling market area, the remnants of these exquisite mansions were sold off to a contractor for a mere few lakh rupees. The plans to pave over this sacred ground with a shopping complex stand as a glaring reminder of the relentless march of modernization. The loss of these mansions, especially following the recent destruction of the main structure of Kaithal Fort, is a profound blow to the city’s artistic legacy.

Yet, amid the shadows of this loss, a flicker of hope emerges: restoration work has commenced on the neglected stepwell in Kaithal, which had long been a silent witness to the passage of time. While the true elegance of its restoration remains to be seen, this endeavor offers a glimpse of revival amidst the sorrow.

In a contrasting turn of events, I learned that the restoration of poet Santokh Singh's mansion is progressing rapidly under the diligent efforts of the Virasatana organization. This project, which has been ongoing for several months, represents a pioneering effort in Haryana, showcasing meticulous care and dedication to preserving our rich heritage.

However, a sense of despair lingers over Tohana, where the state of its stepwell hangs precariously in the balance. Enclosed on all sides and condemned to serve as a trash dump for the nearby colony, this once-grand structure cries out for attention. I fervently hope that one day the local administration and government will prioritize the preservation of such invaluable sites.

Additionally, during this sixth visit to Kaithal, I sought to acquire a precious 18th-century Persian manuscript chronicling the history of Kaithal and its surroundings.

हरियाणा के कैथल ज़िले में बसा कलायत इतिहास और आध्यात्मिकता से ओतप्रोत एक ऐसा शहर है जिसकी जड़ें वैदिक युग से जुड़ी हैं। प्राचीन काल में कपिलायत के नाम से प्रसिद्ध, यह शहर पूज्य कपिल ऋषि से जुड़ा माना जाता है, जिनके बारे में कहा जाता है कि उन्होंने यहाँ तपस्या की थी। शहर का नाम भी उन्हीं के नाम पर पड़ा है, जिसका अर्थ है "कपिल का निवास"।

कलायत के मध्य में ऐतिहासिक कलायत तीर्थ स्थित है, जो पुराणों में वर्णित महत्वपूर्ण तीर्थस्थलों में से एक है। भगवान विष्णु और अन्य देवताओं को समर्पित पवित्र सरोवर या कुंड और प्राचीन मंदिर शहर की समृद्ध धार्मिक विरासत को दर्शाते हैं। इनमें सबसे उल्लेखनीय है प्रारंभिक मध्यकाल में, लगभग 7वीं-8वीं शताब्दी में निर्मित प्राचीन ईंटों के मंदिरों का जोड़ा। उत्तर भारतीय नागर शैली में निर्मित ये मंदिर हरियाणा के सबसे पुराने जीवित ईंटों के मंदिरों में से हैं, जो जटिल शिल्प कौशल और स्थापत्य कला की उत्कृष्टता को दर्शाते हैं जो समय की कसौटी पर खरे उतरे हैं।

कलायत का उल्लेख महाभारत जैसे महाकाव्यों में भी मिलता है, जो इसे प्राचीन भारत के व्यापक सांस्कृतिक और आध्यात्मिक आख्यान से जोड़ते हैं। सदियों से, इसने राजवंशों के उत्थान और पतन को देखा है, फिर भी इसमें प्राचीन आकर्षण बरकरार है—शांति, इतिहास और भक्ति का एक अनूठा संगम। ​​आज, जबकि आधुनिक जीवन इसके इर्द-गिर्द फल-फूल रहा है, कलायत भारत की गहरी सांस्कृतिक जड़ों और चिरस्थायी आध्यात्मिक परंपराओं का एक शाश्वत अनुस्मारक बना हुआ है।

Life in Mewat

Mewat is a captivating historical region nestled in the northern heart of India. This enchanting area is split between the states of Haryana and Rajasthan, with the majestic Aravalli mountain range serving as a natural barrier that enhances its scenic beauty. In medieval times, Persian texts often referred to Mewat as the vibrant land of the Meos and Khanzadas.

The inhabitants of Mewat during this era comprised a rich tapestry of cultures, including the resilient Meos and a variety of agricultural communities such as the Khanzadas, Jats, Gujjars, Ahirs, Rajputs, Baqqals, Brahmans, Minas, Thathars, and Malis. Each group brought its own unique traditions and way of life, contributing to the region's diverse heritage.

Under British rule, Mewat was strategically positioned to the south of Delhi, encompassing significant portions of the British districts of Muttra (Mathura) and Gurgaon, along with substantial parts of Alwar (Ulwur) and portions of Bharatpur. According to the 1901 census, the Khanzadas numbered 9,353 in Rajputana and 3,901 in the Gurgaon district of Punjab province, marking them as a notable presence in the region.

Once considered influential, the Khanzadas faced a tumultuous fate due to the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947, which led to a mass exodus to Pakistan. Currently, the Khanzadas represent only a small fraction of the Muslim population in Mewat. Today, their descendants can be found in the villages of Nuh, Kheda, Madi-Khera, Hawan Nagar, Ghaghas, Tain, Ferozpur, and other quaint settlements within Haryana and Rajasthan. Their enduring legacy lives on in this captivating region, steeped in history and rich in cultural significance.

Havelis of Haryana

The term 'Haveli,' meaning mansion, is widely recognized in Haryana and doesn't require much introduction. This Persian-origin word was first used in Northwestern India with the arrival of denizen from Central Asia. Over time, the haveli evolved into a uniquely local architectural style, incorporating native design elements that set it apart from Italian or British mansions. Nevertheless, both havelis and mansions shared an air of aristocracy in their basic structure and appearance.

Havelis featured a layout and decorative elements that were authentically Indian, developed over centuries without outside influence. Typically, the general plan of a haveli included several key sections: a large and ornate façade, chauntrees (balconies) or a baranza (overhang), a central courtyard, and verandas and arcades on three sides (facing the front, left, and right). The front drawing room was adjacent to the canopy, along with ante rooms and rear rooms utilized for living and storing household items. This fundamental layout remained consistent for centuries, with only minor modifications made to the first and second floors.

A single front door served as the main entrance to the haveli, supplemented by a moderately narrow rear door for evacuation purposes or to facilitate the transport of household items. In larger estates, an adjoining Nauhra (storage area) was often constructed to hold household goods and to accommodate sheds for draught and milch animals. A naal or tunnel connected the two buildings, allowing a single person to pass through easily while carrying small items.

Servants’ quarters were typically located either in the Nauhra or within the smaller front courtyard of the haveli. The layout of a haveli could vary slightly depending on whether it was built by a merchant, a high-ranking government official, or a respected member of the farming or village community. These variations often reflected the owner’s political and economic status or their ability to generate and accumulate wealth. A casual inspection of a haveli could provide insight into the owner's social standing.