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The present state of Haryana is identical with the ancient
Brahamvarta, the regions where the great Vedic civilization found fruition.
The state is full of ancient sites. In every district of the state there
are a number of places associated with important historical events.
Rohtak
Rohtak is identified with 'Rohitaka' mentioned in the Epic
Mahabharatha. It may have been the capital of Bahudhanyaks (land of plenty)
under the Yaudheyas. Yaudheya territory extended over tracts in Uttar
Pradesh and Rajasthan. Rohtak is strategically situated on the route
from the north - west through Delhi gateway to the broad fertile Gangetic
plains. The archaeologists found traces of the Indus valley civilization
here. Rohtak is now one of the largest towns in Haryana and is inhabited
by lot of refugees who came after the partition in 1947.
Bahadurgarh (Jhajjar)
Bahadurgarh was founded by
Rathi Jats and formerly known as Sharafabad. It is situated twenty-nine Kilometres from Delhi
and had developed into an important industrial centre.
Asthal Bohar
This place is famous for its math (monastery). The monks or
jogis of this math claim to be the spiritual descendants of Buddha's earliest
Bhikshus. They represent the Nath cult which originated as one of the
Mahayana forms of Buddhism. Ancient finds of large and sculptured bricks,
stone images and idols have been found here. The math runs a number
of educational and charitable institutions.
Gohana
Gohana in olden times was called Gavambhavana and was a
place of pilgrimage. The place is said to be site of a fort built by Prithviraj
Chauhan. This fort was destroyed by Ghori when he defeated Prithviraj in
1192A.D. Gohana was till recently a tehsil of Rohtak. Now it has been made a part
of the new district of Sonepat.
Jahazgarh
It is a small town,
situated about 15 km from Jhajjar. An Irish adventurer, George Thomas founded it
and built a fort here called Georgegarh which was later changed to Jahazgarh. An annual
cattle fair is held here and it attract buyers and sellers from Haryana and out
side.
Jhajjar
The town is said to have been founded by one Chhaju and Chhajunagar
was changed to Jhajjar. It is also derived from Jharnaghar, a natural
fountain. A third derivation is from Jhajjar a water vessel, because the
surface drainage of the country for miles around runs into the town as
into a sink. Jhajjar is now an important tehsil of Rohtak district.
Sonepat
In the
Mahabharatha,
Sonepat is referred as one of the five pats
or prasthas which were demanded by Yudhishtar from Duryodhana. Archeologists
have found evidence to indicate it to be a town of great antiquity. There are
also a number of legends connected with this place.
For many years,
Sonepat was a flourishing sub division of Rohtak. Now it is a separate district. It is one of the largest industrial
towns in Haryana.
Gurgaon
It is said that Guru Dronacharya of the Pandavas and the Kauravas
gave spiritual instructions at this place. The name of this place is Guru
Gaon or village of the spiritual teacher. The village of Gurgaon Masani
situated about one and half kilometers away Gurgaon is the site of
the famous temple Sitla, the goddess of small-pox. It is held in great
esteem throughout this part of the country. It is visited by a large number
of pilgrims. Gurgaon has developed into a large and flourishing town because
of its vicinity to Delhi.
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