Area	:	44,212 sq km		State Government Portal
	Population	:	21,144,564
	Capital	:	Chandigarh
	Principal Languages	:	Hindi

History and Geography
Haryana has a proud history going back to the Vedic Age. The state was the home of the legendary Bharata dynasty, which has given the name Bharat to India. Haryana finds mention in the great epic of Mahabharata . Kurukshetra, the scene of the epic battle between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, is situated in Haryana. The state continued to play a leading part in the history of India till the advent of the Muslims and the rise of Delhi as the imperial capital of India. Thereafter, Haryana functioned as an adjunct to Delhi and practically remained anonymous till the First War of India's Independence in 1857. When the rebellion was crushed and the British administration was re-established, the Nawabs of Jhajjar and Bahadurgarh, Raja of Ballabgarh and Rao Tula Ram of Rewari of the Haryana region were deprived of their territories. Their territories were either merged with the British territories or handed over to the rulers of Patiala, Nabha and Jind. Haryana thus became a part of the Punjab province. With the reorganisation of Punjab on 1 November 1966, Haryana was made into a full-fledged state.

The state is bound by Uttar Pradesh in the east, Punjab in the west, Himachal Pradesh in the north and Rajasthan in the south. National Capital Territory of Delhi juts into Haryana.

Agriculture
Agriculture is the mainstay of more than 75 per cent population in Haryana. Rice, wheat, jowar, bajra , maize, barley and pulses, sugarcane, cotton, oilseeds and potato are the major crops of the state. Under the diversification of crops, more and more area is being brought under cash crops like sugarcane, cotton and oilseeds. New crops like sunflower, soyabean and fruits and vegetables are also being encouraged. Efforts are being made to encourage intensive and extensive farming in the state.

Information Technology
In view of the importance of Information Technology in the globalisation process throughout the world, the Government of Haryana has implemented a comprehensive new Information Technology Policy, so that the State can progress in the new era. The software export from the State is 45 per cent of the total exports from the State. Gurgaon region is ranked at number three in the country in software exports. The emphasis is being given on use of Hindi in Information Technology, so that the benefits of IT may reach to the masses. The IT Policy provides several incentives, which include preferential allotment of land, relaxation in F.A.R., priority for term lending, concession in stamp duty and registration charges, exemption from pollution control, self-certification/exemption from various Acts, etc.

On behalf of the Government of Haryana, Centre for e-Governance has initiated to set up Haryana State Wide Area Network in the State. This would facilitate use of IT in the public sector, which would improve the quality of public services and also help in providing effective e-Governance.

In order to give push to IT Industry, the State Government has liberalised the norms/guidelines for setting up of Cyber Parks and Cyber City in the State.

Industry
Haryana has a large industrial base having more than 1,230 large and medium and 80,000 Small Scale Units in the State. Haryana is the largest producer of passenger cars, tractors, motorcycles, bicycles, refrigerators, scientific instruments, etc. Haryana is the largest exporter of Basmati rice to the overseas market. Panipat handlooms and carpets are known all over the world besides its famous Pachranga Aachar (pickles).

The simple process of filling Industrial Entrepreneur Memorandum for setting up of large and medium industry has been introduced. The rate of implementation of Industrial Entrepreneur Memorandum (IEMs) in Haryana is the highest in the country.

Maruti Udyog, Hero Honda, Honda Motors and many other prestigious units have undergone their massive expansion programme. For undertaking Phase-III expansion programme, the State Government has allotted 500 acre land to Maruti Udyog Limited at Manesar.

Irrigation
Haryana is a beneficiary of the multi purpose project in Sutlej and Beas, sharing benefits with Punjab and Rajasthan. Major irrigation projects are western Yamuna Canal, Bhakra Canal and Gurgaon Canal System. Haryana has raised water from lower levels to higher and drier slopes. It is a new endeavour that gave practical shape to lift-irrigation for the first time in India.

The Jui, Siwani, Loharu and Jawahar Lal Nehru Lift irrigation schemes have helped to carry irrigation water against gravity flow to arid areas. Sprinkler and drip irrigation have been introduced in the highly undulating and sandy tracks of Haryana.

Power
Haryana became the first State in the country to achieve 100 per cent rural electrification in 1970.

Transport

Roads: In Haryana, all villages stand connected with metalled roads. The length of roads in the State is 31,010 km.

Railways: Ambala, Panipat and Jakhal are important railway stations. There is a railway workshop at Jagadhari.

Aviation: There are civil aerodromes at Pinjore, Karnal, Hisar, Bhiwani and Narnaul.

Tourist Centres
Haryana has a network of 46 Tourist Complexes in the State. Some of the important tourist complexes are: Blue Jay (Samalkha), Skylark (Panipat), Chakravarty Lake and Oasis (Uchana), Parakeet (Pipli), Kingfisher (Ambala), Magpie (Faridabad), Dabchick (Hodel), Shama (Gurgaon), Jungle Babbler (Dharuhere), Gauriyya (Bahadurgarh), Myna (Rohtak), Blue Bird (Hisar), Red Bishop (Panchkula) and Pinjore Gardens (Pinjore). Surajkund and Badkhal Lake near Delhi, Sultanpur bird sanctuary (Sultanpur, Gurgaon) and Damdama in Gurgaon and fascinating pocket of pines at Morni Hills are other attractions of tourist interest. The Surajkund Crafts Mela of International fame is held every year in the month of February.

Haryana-Surajkund-Fair

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