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Ram Dayal Singh

2026-10-24T07:18:25Z

Gianjatt: About raja ram dayal singh landhaura ruler of north east daob

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{one source|date=August 2018}}

<nowiki>'''</nowiki>Raja Ram Dayal Singh<nowiki>'''</nowiki> was a Gujjar ruler of the Landhaura riyasat in the Upper Doab region of northern India. He belonged to the Khubar clan of Gujjars and controlled extensive territories, including areas around Haridwar,Saharanpur and muzzfarnagar. Before and after the East India Company's conquest of the Upper Doab in 1803, his domain comprised approximately 900 villages, with an estimated annual revenue of at least five lakh rupees. He died in 1813, after which the British government resumed many of the villages and cancelled revenue-farming arrangements associated with his state.<ref>Dirk H. A. Kolff, <nowiki>''</nowiki>Grass in Their Mouths: The Upper Doab of India under the Company's Magna Charta, 1793–1830<nowiki>''</nowiki>, Brill, 2010, pp. 451–466</ref>

British sources referred to him as the “Raja of Haridwar.” In her travel account published in 1823, Ann Deane described Munglore as a fortified palace belonging to “Ramdial Sing, Rajah of Hurdwar.<ref>Ann Deane, A Tour through the Upper Provinces of Hindostan, 1804–1814 (1823), p. 192</ref>Raja Ram Dayal Singh of Landhaura was among the prominent chiefs of the Upper Doab during the Maratha period. A published account of General Louis Bourquin’s memoir lists “Raja Ram Dayal Gujjar” with a force of 20,000 men among the regional rulers and military contingents associated with General Perron’s forces.<ref>“Memoir of Louis Bourquien,” <nowiki>''Journal of the Panjab Historical Society''</nowiki>, vol. IX, 1923, p. 57.</ref>

In her book A Tour through the Upper Provinces of Hindostan (1804–1814), published in 1823, Ann Deane described Raja Ramdial Singh, the Raja of Haridwar, and his fortified palace at Manglore. She described his eldest son as an exceptionally imposing man, reportedly seven feet tall, who escorted the visitors to the palace on horseback with numerous attendants. The Raja received the visitors with a silver tray filled with gold coins, which they politely declined. Deane portrayed the Raja as a gigantic figure with a powerful voice and distinctive clothing.<ref>Ann Deane, A Tour through the Upper Provinces of Hindostan, 1804–1814 (1823), p. 192</ref>
== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:18th-century Indian monarchs]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing]]
[[Category:Year of death missing]]
[[Category:Place of death missing]]
[[Category:People from Haridwar district]]
[[Category:People from Uttarakhand]]

{{India-royal-stub}}

Ram Dayal Singh

2026-10-24T07:16:58Z

Gianjatt: About Raja ram dayal singh Gujjar of landhaura

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{one source|date=August 2018}}

<nowiki>'''</nowiki>Raja Ram Dayal Singh<nowiki>'''</nowiki> was a Gujjar ruler of the Landhaura riyasat in the Upper Doab region of northern India. He belonged to the Khubar clan of Gujjars and controlled extensive territories, including areas around Haridwar,Saharanpur and muzzfarnagar. Before and after the East India Company's conquest of the Upper Doab in 1803, his domain comprised approximately 900 villages, with an estimated annual revenue of at least five lakh rupees. He died in 1813, after which the British government resumed many of the villages and cancelled revenue-farming arrangements associated with his state.<ref>Dirk H. A. Kolff, <nowiki>''</nowiki>Grass in Their Mouths: The Upper Doab of India under the Company's Magna Charta, 1793–1830<nowiki>''</nowiki>, Brill, 2010, pp. 451–466</ref>

British sources referred to him as the “Raja of Haridwar.” In her travel account published in 1823, Ann Deane described Munglore as a fortified palace belonging to “Ramdial Sing, Rajah of Hurdwar.<ref>Ann Deane, A Tour through the Upper Provinces of Hindostan, 1804–1814 (1823), p. 192</ref>Raja Ram Dayal Singh of Landhaura was among the prominent chiefs of the Upper Doab during the Maratha period. A published account of General Louis Bourquin’s memoir lists “Raja Ram Dayal Gujjar” with a force of 20,000 men among the regional rulers and military contingents associated with General Perron’s forces.<ref>“Memoir of Louis Bourquien,” <nowiki>''Journal of the Panjab Historical Society''</nowiki>, vol. IX, 1923, p. 57.</ref>
== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:18th-century Indian monarchs]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing]]
[[Category:Year of death missing]]
[[Category:Place of death missing]]
[[Category:People from Haridwar district]]
[[Category:People from Uttarakhand]]

{{India-royal-stub}}

Ram Dayal Singh

2026-10-24T07:10:03Z

Gianjatt: Raja ram dayal ruled north east daob

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{one source|date=August 2018}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:18th-century Indian monarchs]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing]]
[[Category:Year of death missing]]
[[Category:Place of death missing]]
[[Category:People from Haridwar district]]
[[Category:People from Uttarakhand]]

{{India-royal-stub}}

Kankhal

2026-10-24T06:52:37Z

Gianjatt: Kankhal ruled by raja ram dayal singh

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Kankhal
| native_name = कनखल
| native_name_lang = hi
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = town
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Uttarakhand#India
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Uttarakhand, India
| coordinates = {{coord|29.93|N|78.15|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Uttarakhand]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Haridwar district|Haridwar]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 260
| population_total =
| population_as_of = 2001
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi language|Hindi]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 249408
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 01334
| registration_plate = UK
| website = {{URL|http://haridwar.nic.in}}
| footnotes = [http://www.whereincity.com/india/pincode/uttarakhand/haridwar.htm]
}}
'''Kankhal''' is a small colony in [[Haridwar]]<ref name=cart>[http://personal.carthage.edu/jlochtefeld/indiajterm/Kankhal.html A study of Kankhal]</ref> in the [[Haridwar district]] of [[Uttarakhand]] [[States and territories of India|state]] in [[India]].

Mentioned in the [[Vayu Purana]] and the [[Mahabharata]] as ''Kanakhala'',<ref name=Vishnu>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/vp/vp043.htm Vishnu Purana] Sacrifice of Daksha (From the [[Vayu Purana]].) The Vishnu Purana, translated by [[Horace Hayman Wilson]], 1840. '''p. 62''', "In former times, Daksha commenced a holy sacrifice on the side of Himaván, at the sacred spot ''Gangadwara'', frequented by the [[Rishi]]s. The gods, desirous of assisting at this solemn rite, came, with Indra at their head, to [[Shiva|Mahadeva]], and intimated their purpose; and having received his permission, departed in their splendid chariots to ''Gangadwára'', as tradition eports.” '''62:2''' ''Gangadwára'', the place where the Ganges descends to the plains--or Haridwar, as it is more usually termed--is usually specified as the scene of action, The [[Linga Purana|Linga (Purana)]] is more precise, calling it ''Kanakhala'', which is the village still called Kankhal, near Haridwar.(''Megha Dúta'', p. 63 p. 59). '''p. 68''' I am called [[Virabhadra]], the issue of the wrath of [[Rudra]]. ''Bhadrakálí'' also, who has sprung from the anger of [[Devi]]…</ref><ref name=maha/> Kankhal is one of 'Panch [[Tirtha and Kshetra|Tirth]]' (Five Pilgrimages) within Haridwar, with other spots being ''Gangadwara ''([[Har ki Pauri]]), ''Kushwart'' (Ghat in Kankhal), ''Bilwa Teerth'' ([[Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar|Mansa Devi Temple]]) and ''Neel Parvat'' ([[Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar|Chandi Devi Temple]]).<ref>[http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/india/popular-india-destinations/haridwar.html Travel guide Haridwar]</ref><ref name=info/>

It is most known for the [[Daksheswara Mahadev Temple]], Maa Anandamoyi Ashram and numerous other ashrams and old houses with exquisite wall paintings built by Hindu pilgrims in the 19th century.<ref name=cart/>

==Kankhal in scriptures==
Kankhal is mentioned in Mahabharata as follows,
{{quote|"Here, O king, before thee is the ''Kanakhala'' range, the favourite resort of sages. 'And yonder is the mighty river Ganga. Here, in ancient times, the holy sage [[Sanatkumara]] attained ascetic success. O scion of the Ajamidha race, by performing thy ablutions here in this river, thou wilt be freed from all thy sins.
|source=''[[The Mahabharata]]'', Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirtha-yatra Parva: Section CXXXV.<ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03135.htm Kanakhala] [[Mahabharata|The Mahabharata]], Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirtha-yatra Parva: Section CXXXV.</ref>}}
{{quote|"Bathing in ''Gangadwara'' (Haridwar) and ''Kusavarta''...as also in ''Kankhala'', one is sure to become cleansed of all one's sins and then ascend to heaven."
|source=''[[Mahabharata|The Mahabharata]]'', Book 13: Anusasanika Parva: Section XXV, p. 130.<ref name=maha>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m13/m13a025.htm Bathing in ''Gangadwara''….. as also in ''Kankhala''] [[Mahabharata|The Mahabharata]] translated by [[Kisari Mohan Ganguli]] (1883 -1896], Book 13: Anusasanika Parva: Section XXV, p. 130.</ref>}}

==History==
[[File:Front facade of Naya Udasin Akhara, Kankhal.JPG|right|thumb|Front facade of ''Naya Udasin Akhara'', Kankhal, with elaborate frescoes.]]
[[File:Exterior view of the gateway and facade of the chowk at Kankhal, 1814.jpg|left|thumb|The gateway and facade of the chowk at Kankhal, 1814]]
Traditionally, Kankhal is considered to be the summer capital and [[Kurukshetra]] the winter capital of [[Shiva]]. God Shiva after ascending to the throne visited plain areas, the present [[Haridwar]]. To give a warm welcome to God Shiv ji the site of Haridwar was made a welcome-gate hence called Haridwar.

In the ''Vanaparva'' of the [[Mahabharat]], where sage Dhaumya tells [[Yudhishthira]] about the [[Tirtha (Hinduism)|tirtha]]s of India, Gangadwar, i.e., [[Haridwar]] and Kankhal, have been referred to.<ref>[http://ignca.nic.in/cd_07006.htm Historical, Cultural and Social Perspectives] Chapter 3, The Cultural Dimension Of Ecology, Baidyanath Saraswati, 1998, [[Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts]]. {{ISBN|81-246-0102-X}}. ignca.nic.in. Vanaparva (The Book of the Forest) is third ''parva'' (book) of the ''Mahabharata''.</ref> Kankhal also finds mention in the poem [[Meghaduta]] (Cloud messenger), of the 3rd century AD, classical [[Sanskrit]] poet and dramatist, [[Kālidāsa|Kalidas]].<ref name=Vishnu/>

When the first Sikh Guru, [[Guru Nanak]] (1469–1539), visited Haridwar in 1504 AD, on the [[Baisakhi]] day, he went on to visit Kankhal, en route to [[Kotdwara]] in [[Garhwal Kingdom|Garhwal]].<ref name=janam>[http://www.globalsikhstudies.net/pdf/janamsakhi.pdf Janasakhi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324124627/http://www.globalsikhstudies.net/pdf/janamsakhi.pdf |date=24 March 2012 }} [[Janamsakhis]] of Miharban and Mani Singh, mention this visit to have taken place on the [[Baisakhi]] day in 1504 AD. Janamsakhi Tradition, Dr. Kirpal Singh, 2004, Punjabi University, Patiala. {{ISBN|81-7205-311-8}}. p. 92. www.globalsikhstudies.net.</ref> Kankhal also finds mention in the travel accounts of [[Sister Nivedita]] (1867–1911), a disciple of [[Swami Vivekananda]], wherein she mentions that long before Haridwar became popular, Kankhal had been a center for education and pilgrimage <ref>[http://www.vivekananda.net/PDFBooks/KedarNathBadriNarayan.pdf Kedar Nath & Badri Narayan] - A Pilgrim's Diary. [[Sister Nivedita]], 1928, p. 10-11. www.vivekananda.net.</ref>

Raja Ram Dayal Singh, a Gujjar ruler of Landhaura, ruled Kankhal during the period before his death in 1813. British sources referred to him as the “Raja of Haridwar.” Ann Deane recorded Munglore as a fortified palace belonging to “Ramdial Sing, Rajah of Hurdwar” in her 1823 travel account.<ref>Ann Deane, A Tour through the Upper Provinces of Hindostan, 1804–1814 (1823), p. 192</ref>

As late as early 19th century it used to be a separate town, from Haridwar and Mayapur in the areas,<ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V21_377.gif History] [[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]], v. 21, p. 371.</ref> though due to urban development it now falls within the city limits of [[Haridwar]].

Work on the [[Upper Ganges canal]] commenced in April 1842, between [[Haridwar]] and Kankhal.<ref name=Ganges>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V12_144.gif Upper Ganges Canal] [[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]] 1909, v. 12, p. 138.</ref> Apart from being home various temples and ashrams of various sects, Kankhal also has numerous old ''[[havelis]]'', mansion, now visitors attraction, especially heritage tours. Mostly built in previous century, they are known for their frescoes and haveli architecture, and were built by princely states, and zamindars for their stay in the pilgrimage town during summer months.

==Geography==

Kankhal is located at {{Coord|29.93|N|78.15|E|}}.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/39/Kankhal.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Kankhal]</ref> It has an average elevation of 260 metres (853 feet).

==Important places in Kankhal==
[[File:Daksheshwar Mahadev temple, Kankhal2.JPG|right|thumb|200px|[[Daksheswara Mahadev Temple]], Kankhal]]
[[File:Kankhal-I.gif|thumb|An aerial view of the Ramakrishna Mission Sevasrama, Kankhal]]
[[File:Kankhal-II.jpg|left|thumb|Sri Ramakrishna Temple, RKMS, Kankhal, Haridwar]]
[[File:Dakshayani.jpg|left|thumb|200px| [[Shiva]] carrying the corpse of his consort [[Dakshayani]] (Sati)]]
[[File:Ma Anandamayi Samadhi Mandir, Kankhal, Haridwar.JPG|right|200px|thumb|[[Anandamayi Ma]] Samadhi Mandir, Kankhal, [[Haridwar]]]]
[[File:Kankhal_Shmasan_Ghat.jpg|thumb|right|कनखल श्मशान घाट]]
* '''[[Daksheswara Mahadev Temple]]''' - Kankhal is most known for the ancient temple of Daksheswara Mahadev temple,<ref>[http://www.indiantemples.com/Himalaya/haridwar.html Haridwar]</ref> situated in the south Kankhal town. The present temple was built by Queen Dhankaur in 1810 AD <ref>[http://www.tourism-of-india.com/haridwar.html Places around Haridwar]</ref> and rebuilt in 1962. The mythological story about this place is that King [[Daksha]] [[Prajapati]], the father of [[Dakshayani|Sati]], Lord Shiva 's first wife, performed yagya at this place. Daksha Prajapati did not invite Lord Shiva, and Sati felt insulted. Therefore, she burnt herself in the yagya kund. Shiva burned with anger, sent the terrible demi-god [[Virabhadra|Vīrabhadra]], [[Bhadrakali]] and also his [[gana]]s.<ref name=Vishnu/><ref name=Maha>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12b111.htm the Horse-sacrifice of the Prajapati Daksha] [[Mahabharata|The Mahabharata]] translated by [[Kisari Mohan Ganguli]] (1883 -1896], Book 12: Santi Parva: Mokshadharma Parva: Section CCLXXXIV. '''p. 317'''. "I am known by the name of [[Virabhadra]]’’ and I have sprung from the wrath of Rudra. This lady (who is my companion), and who is called Bhadrakali, hath sprung from the wrath of the goddess."</ref> On the direction of Shiva, Virabhadra appeared with Shiva's ''[[ganas]]'' in the midst of Daksha's assembly like a storm wind and waged a fierce war on the gods and mortals present culminating in the beheading of Daksha, and later being bestow the head of a goat.<ref>[http://www.indiantemples.com/beliefs/daksha.htm Story of Daksha's sacrifice and Sati-Shakti]</ref> Next to the temple is the 'Daksha Ghat' on the Ganges, and close by is the ''Nileshwar Mahadev Temple''. Much of the details of the famous [[Ashvamedha]] [[Yagna]] ([[Horse sacrifice|Horse Sacrifice]]) of [[Daksha]] are available in the [[Vayu Purana]]<ref name=Vishnu/>
* '''Sati Kund''', another well-known mythological heritage worth visit is situated in the Kankhal region. Legend has it that Sati laid down her life in this kund <ref name=info>[http://www.indiainfoweb.com/uttranchal/kankhal/ Kankhal] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122051321/http://www.indiainfoweb.com/uttranchal/kankhal/ |date=22 November 2008 }} www.indiainfoweb.com.</ref> Pilgrims from all over India visit this place and feel blessed.
* '''Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama''' <ref>[http://www.rkmkankhal.org/ Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama Kankhal]</ref> - Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Kankhal [ RKMS ], situated in the city of Haridwar [ Uttarakhand ], is a 150-bed multi-specialty charitable hospital founded in 1901 at behest of [[Swami Vivekananda]] to cater to the medical needs of this region. In its long odyssey spanning over a century, it has grown in size, widening the spectrum of services to meet the varied dimensions of health hazards and during this time it has treated more than 10 million patients.RKMS has been instrumental in presenting a road map for bridging the impoverished society – modern treatment methodology and has proved to be the lodestar for the healthcare units. Its altruistic approach of treatment, an umbilical and hence a distinguishing feature from its inception, caught the attention of luminaries like Mahatma Gandhi, * Sir J C Bose etc. who visited this centre. Being the oldest Ashrama ( after Ramakrishna Home of Service, Varanasi) of the Ramakrishna Order, this Sevashrama bears the hallowed memory of several direct disciples of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa. [[Swami Brahmananda]], [[Swami Turiyananda]] and [[Swami Niranjanananda (Niranjan Maharaj)|Swami Niranjanananda]] spent their time in intense spiritual practice in this Ashrama.
* '''Anandamoyi Ma Ashram''' - This quaint ashram was the residence of this Hindu saint [[Sri Anandamoyi Ma]] (1896–1982), and also houses her [[samādhi]] shrine and a museum dedicated to her, in the vicinity.<ref>[http://www.indiayogi.com/content/ashrams/maanand/main.asp Anandamayi ma Ashram]</ref>
* '''Abheda Ganga Mayya Asram'''The ashram is under a trust called Abheda Ganga Mayya Trust. The fFounder of the trust was Bhajananda Swamiji, the main disciple of Swami Abhedananda Maharaj. It is currently headed by Swami Krishnanda.
* '''Dera Baba Dargah Singh ji, Gurudwara''' - Situated near ''Sati Ghat'', this Gurudwara is dedicated to the third Sikh Guru, [[Guru Amar Das]], who visited this place many times during his lifetime,<ref>[http://worldcat.org/wcpa/top3mset/41790460 Itihas Gurudwara Guru Amaradas ji, Kanakhala] Bishan Singh Kreet. Pub. Diyal Siṅgha Niraṅkari, 1950. (Punjabi) Microform. worldcat.org.</ref><ref>[http://www.globalsikhstudies.net/pdf/janamsakhi.pdf Janamsakhi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324124627/http://www.globalsikhstudies.net/pdf/janamsakhi.pdf |date=24 March 2012 }} [[Guru Granth Sahib]] p. 1116-1117.</ref> is situated near Sati Ghat in Kankhal; it is managed by the [[Nirmala Sikhs]], a scholarly sect of the Sikhs, who came here in 1705, after evacuating from [[Anandpur Sahib|Anandpur]], Punjab and made it their headquarters <ref>[http://www.sikhcybermuseum.org.uk/People/Nirmalas.htm Nirmala] www.sikhcybermuseum.org.</ref>
* [[Gurukul Kangri Mahavidyalaya|Gurukul Kangri University]] - Situated in Kankhal, on the banks of river Ganges, on Haridwar-Jwalapur bypass road, Gurukul Kangri is one of the oldest Universities of India, founded in 1902 by Swami Shraddhananda (1856–1926), according to the tenets of [[Swami Dayananda Saraswati]], the founder of [[Arya Samaj]]. It was visited by British Trade Union leader [[Charles Freer Andrews]] and British Prime Minister, [[Ramsay MacDonald]],<ref name=guru/> to study the unique [[Gurukul]] based education system. [[Mahatma Gandhi]] visited its campus three times,<ref name=guru>[http://haridwar.nic.in/gurukul.htm Gurukul] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524021145/http://haridwar.nic.in/gurukul.htm |date=24 May 2008 }} Official website of Haridwar.</ref> and stayed in its sprawling and serene campus for extended periods of time, most notably in 1916, when on 20 March, he spoke at Gurukul Anniversary.<ref>[[S:Chronology of Mahatma Gandhi's life/India 1916|Chronology of Mahatma Gandhi's life/India 1916]] Wiki Source.</ref>

==Transport==
Kankhal is well connected by road to [[National Highway 58 (India)|National Highway 58]], between [[Delhi]] and Manapass. Nearest railway stations are at [[Jwalapur]] and [[Haridwar]]. The nearest airport is [[Jolly Grant Airport]], [[Dehradun]], though [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] in [[New Delhi]] is preferred.

Its neighbouring towns are [[Jwalapur]], [[Haridwar]], and [[Laksar]].

==See also==

* [[Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama Kankhal]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{HinduMythology}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Locations in Hindu mythology]]
[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Tourism in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Haridwar]]

Battle of Khurbura

2026-10-23T19:02:43Z

Gianjatt: 14,000<ref>"Memorial of 54th Garhwal king in Dehradun lying desolate, forgotten". ''The Times of India'', 31 December 2018.</ref>

{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Battle of Khurbura
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| date = 14 May 1804 - 26 May 1804<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://m.livehindustan.com/uttarakhand/dehradun/story-the-story-of-maharaja-pradyumna-shah-of-garhwal-princely-state-1112085.html|title=The story of Maharaja Pradyumna Shah of Garhwal princely state}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.devbhoomimedia.com/paying-tributes-to-83-martyrs-of-the-khudbuda-war-organized-a-yajna/|title=खुड़बुड़ा युद्ध के 83 शहीदों को यज्ञ आयोजित कर श्रद्धांजलि की गई अर्पित|date=June 27, 2017}}</ref> 
(13 days)
| place = Khurbura, [[Dehradun]], India
| coordinates = {{coord|30.3256|N|78.0267|E|type:event|display=inline}}
| map_type =
| map_size =
| map_marksize =
| map_caption =
| map_label =
| territory =
| result = [[Kingdom of Nepal]] victory<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pauri.nic.in/history/|title=History | District Pauri Garhwal, Government of Uttarakhand | India}}</ref>
| status =
| combatant1 = [[Garhwal Kingdom]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2013/sunday-edition/where-history-never-gets-old.html|title=Where history never gets old|first=The|last=Pioneer|website=The Pioneer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://suppressednarratives.home.blog/2019/01/26/indians-rage-as-some-nepalese-chauvinists-assert-greater-nepal/|title=Indians rage as some Nepalese chauvinists assert 'Greater Nepal'|date=January 26, 2019}}</ref>
[[Landhaura Kingdom]]<ref>Rawat, Ajay Singh. ''Garhwal Himalaya: A Study in Historical Perspective''. 2002, p. 64.</ref>
| combatant2 = [[Kingdom of Nepal]]
| commander1 = King [[Pradyumna Shah]]{{KIA}} Parakram Shah Pritam Shah Raja Ram dayal Singh Gujjar [[Sudarshan Shah]]
| commander2 = [[Amar Singh Thapa]] [[Ranajit Kunwar]] [[Chandrabir Kunwar]] [[Bam Shah|Bam (Brahma) Shah]]
| units1 =
| units2 =
| units3 =
| strength1 = 10000<ref name="TOI"/>-12000{{sfn|Dabaral|1987a|p=38}}
| strength2 = 14,000<ref>"Memorial of 54th Garhwal king in Dehradun lying desolate, forgotten". ''The Times of India'', 31 December 2018.</ref>
| casualties1 =
| casualties2 =
| notes =
| campaignbox =
}}

<ref>Rawat, Ajay Singh. Garhwal Himalaya: A Study in Historical Perspective. 2002, p. 64.</ref>

'''Battle of Khurbura''' or '''Battle of Khudbuda''' also known as '''Gorkha-Garhwal War''' occurred in May 1804 near modern-day village of [[Dehradun]], Khurbura {{coord|30.3256|N|78.0267|E}}. The battle is regarded as the first major attack in the history of [[Garhwal Kingdom]] that triggered between [[Kingdom of Nepal]] forces and [[Maharaja]] [[Pradyumna Shah]], and continued for 13 days until the Garhwal king was defeated. It is chiefly regarded the only defeat of Pradyumna Shah's life and the victory of Gorkhali forces under [[Kingdom of Nepal]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OeQy9ZuvA5sC&q=battle+of+Khurbura+Dehradun+in+1804&pg=PA30|title=Forest Management in Kumaon Himalaya: Struggle of the Marginalised People|first=Ajay Singh|last=Rawat|date=February 11, 1999|publisher=Indus Publishing|via=Google Books|isbn=9788173871016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7_Ct9gzvkDQC&q=battle+of+Khurbura+Dehradun+in+1804&pg=PA189|title=History of Uttaranchal|first=Omacanda|last=Hāṇḍā|date=February 11, 2002|publisher=Indus Publishing|via=Google Books|isbn=9788173871344}}</ref>

==Background==
Garhwali officials believed that the Garhwal dynasty was nearing its end. They believed it was due to the curses of queens of Salim Shah and Jaya Kirti Shah.{{sfn|Dabaral|1987a|p=37}} With the beginning of this battle, the kingdom came under the rule of Gorkhas until 1814. Gurkha forces, loaded with guns entered in "Khurbura" to invade the territory. Since Garhwal's soldiers were fighting against the Nepalese invaders with swords, the kingdom was defeated heavily that led the opposition forces to begin their rule.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/king-pradyumna-deserves-a-memorial-196230|title=King Pradyumna 'deserves' a memorial|first=Tribune News|last=Service|website=Tribuneindia News Service}}</ref><ref name="auto3"/>

==Battle==
Since the kingdom was already shattered and unstable due to the [[1803 Garhwal earthquake]] and the entire kingdom was yet to reinstate. With great difficulty due to unstable circumstances caused by earthquake, [[Maharaja]] Pradyuman Shah first moved to [[Srinagar, Uttarakhand]] to Dehradun and then to [[Saharanpur]] arranging the forces to combat Gorkhas. The king succeeded arranging 10,000 soldiers. However, they were much untrained.<ref name="TOI">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/memorial-of-garhwal-king-lying-desolate-and-forgotten/articleshow/67314556.cms|title=Memorial of 54th Garhwal king in Dehradun lying desolate, forgotten | Dehradun News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name="auto3"/> King Pradyumna Shah of [[Garhwal Kingdom]] prepared for warfare by assembling 12,000 men of various groups such as Rangad rajputs, Pundir rajputs, [[Gurjar|Gujars]], and [[Rajput]]s under a Gujjar [[Sardar]] Ramadayal Singh of Landhaur. On the other hand, Gorkhali forces were led by overall commander 'Bada Kaji' [[Amar Singh Thapa]], and his subordinate commanders Kaji [[Ranajit Kunwar]] (the grandfather of the Rana Prime Minister [[Maharaja]] [[Jung Bahadur Kunwar Rana]]{{sfn|Acharya|1971|p=25}})and Bhaktibir Thapa.{{sfn|Dabaral|1987a|p=38}} The battle took place at Khadbuda about a half mile from the palace of [[Guru Ram Rai|Guru Ram Raya]] on 22nd Marga 1860 [[Vikram Samvat|V.S.]] (January 1804). Pradyumna Shah on his horseback was having a conversation with Miya Dulal Singh of Prithvipur and momentarily, Kaji Ranajit Kunwar shot Pradyumna Shah to death.{{sfn|Dabaral|1987a|p=38}} His shot proved successful as Garhwali soldiers ran away and the war finally ended.{{sfn|Dabaral|1987a|p=38}}

==Aftermath==
Son of King Pradyumna, Prince [[Sudarshan Shah]], alongwith Commander Devi Singh fled to Kanakhal with some soldiers. The King's brother, Parakram Shah, fled to his father-in-law's place in Hindur, Nalagarh without caring for funeral rites of the deceased king. Soon after his death, King's another brother, Pritam Shah, was incarcerated by the Gorkhas where he passed his life under many hardships and poverty.<ref name="TOI"/> The Gorkhali commander Amar Singh sent the body of King Pradyumna Shah to [[Haridwar]] with great honors under the protection of Surajan Singh Rawal of Dalanwala and some Gorkhali soldiers.{{sfn|Dabaral|1987a|p=38}} Bada Amar Simha appointed Kaji [[Ranajit Kunwar]] as chief of one of the three revenue divisions of [[Garhwal region|Garhwal]] namely [[Srinagar, Uttarakhand|Srinagar]].{{sfn|Dabaral|1987b|p=120}}

Khurbura was an important place in Garhwal kingdom and now its the only a small village that has left remarkable history behind. This area is now administered by the [[Dehradun]] authorities of [[Uttarakhand]] state.<ref name="auto"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}
==Books==
*{{citation | last = Acharya | first = Baburam | title = The Fall Of Bhimsen Thapa And The Rise Of Jung Bahadur Rana | journal = Regmi Research Series | volume = 3 | issue = 1 | pages = 13–25 | date = January 1, 1971 | url = http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/regmi/pdf/Regmi_03.pdf }}
*{{citation | last = Dabaral | first = Shiva Prasad “Charan” | title = The Rape of Garhwal | journal = Regmi Research Series | volume = 19 | issue = 3 | pages = 37–40| date = March 1987a | url = http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/regmi/pdf/Regmi_19.pdf }}
*{{citation | last = Dabaral | first = Shiva Prasad “Charan” | title = Gorkhali rule in Garhwal | journal = Regmi Research Series | volume = 19 | issue = 7–8 | pages = 115–120| date = July–August 1987b | url = http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/regmi/pdf/Regmi_19.pdf }}

[[Category:Conflicts in 1804|Khurbura]]
[[Category:Battles involving the Indian kingdoms|Khurbura]]
[[Category:1804 in India]]
[[Category:History of Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:History of Dehradun]]
[[Category:Anglo-Nepalese War]]
[[Category:Wars involving Nepal]]
[[Category:1804 in Nepal]]

Battle of Khurbura

2026-10-23T19:00:11Z

Gianjatt: Landhaura Kingdom<ref>Rawat, Ajay Singh. ''Garhwal Himalaya: A Study in Historical Perspective''. 2002, p. 64.</ref>

{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Battle of Khurbura
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| date = 14 May 1804 - 26 May 1804<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://m.livehindustan.com/uttarakhand/dehradun/story-the-story-of-maharaja-pradyumna-shah-of-garhwal-princely-state-1112085.html|title=The story of Maharaja Pradyumna Shah of Garhwal princely state}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.devbhoomimedia.com/paying-tributes-to-83-martyrs-of-the-khudbuda-war-organized-a-yajna/|title=खुड़बुड़ा युद्ध के 83 शहीदों को यज्ञ आयोजित कर श्रद्धांजलि की गई अर्पित|date=June 27, 2017}}</ref> 
(13 days)
| place = Khurbura, [[Dehradun]], India
| coordinates = {{coord|30.3256|N|78.0267|E|type:event|display=inline}}
| map_type =
| map_size =
| map_marksize =
| map_caption =
| map_label =
| territory =
| result = [[Kingdom of Nepal]] victory<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pauri.nic.in/history/|title=History | District Pauri Garhwal, Government of Uttarakhand | India}}</ref>
| status =
| combatant1 = [[Garhwal Kingdom]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2013/sunday-edition/where-history-never-gets-old.html|title=Where history never gets old|first=The|last=Pioneer|website=The Pioneer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://suppressednarratives.home.blog/2019/01/26/indians-rage-as-some-nepalese-chauvinists-assert-greater-nepal/|title=Indians rage as some Nepalese chauvinists assert 'Greater Nepal'|date=January 26, 2019}}</ref>
[[Landhaura Kingdom]]<ref>Rawat, Ajay Singh. ''Garhwal Himalaya: A Study in Historical Perspective''. 2002, p. 64.</ref>
| combatant2 = [[Kingdom of Nepal]]
| commander1 = King [[Pradyumna Shah]]{{KIA}} Parakram Shah Pritam Shah Raja Ram dayal Singh Gujjar [[Sudarshan Shah]]
| commander2 = [[Amar Singh Thapa]] [[Ranajit Kunwar]] [[Chandrabir Kunwar]] [[Bam Shah|Bam (Brahma) Shah]]
| units1 =
| units2 =
| units3 =
| strength1 = 10000<ref name="TOI"/>-12000{{sfn|Dabaral|1987a|p=38}}
| strength2 = 4000<ref name="TOI"/>
| casualties1 =
| casualties2 =
| notes =
| campaignbox =
}}

<ref>Rawat, Ajay Singh. Garhwal Himalaya: A Study in Historical Perspective. 2002, p. 64.</ref>

'''Battle of Khurbura''' or '''Battle of Khudbuda''' also known as '''Gorkha-Garhwal War''' occurred in May 1804 near modern-day village of [[Dehradun]], Khurbura {{coord|30.3256|N|78.0267|E}}. The battle is regarded as the first major attack in the history of [[Garhwal Kingdom]] that triggered between [[Kingdom of Nepal]] forces and [[Maharaja]] [[Pradyumna Shah]], and continued for 13 days until the Garhwal king was defeated. It is chiefly regarded the only defeat of Pradyumna Shah's life and the victory of Gorkhali forces under [[Kingdom of Nepal]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OeQy9ZuvA5sC&q=battle+of+Khurbura+Dehradun+in+1804&pg=PA30|title=Forest Management in Kumaon Himalaya: Struggle of the Marginalised People|first=Ajay Singh|last=Rawat|date=February 11, 1999|publisher=Indus Publishing|via=Google Books|isbn=9788173871016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7_Ct9gzvkDQC&q=battle+of+Khurbura+Dehradun+in+1804&pg=PA189|title=History of Uttaranchal|first=Omacanda|last=Hāṇḍā|date=February 11, 2002|publisher=Indus Publishing|via=Google Books|isbn=9788173871344}}</ref>

==Background==
Garhwali officials believed that the Garhwal dynasty was nearing its end. They believed it was due to the curses of queens of Salim Shah and Jaya Kirti Shah.{{sfn|Dabaral|1987a|p=37}} With the beginning of this battle, the kingdom came under the rule of Gorkhas until 1814. Gurkha forces, loaded with guns entered in "Khurbura" to invade the territory. Since Garhwal's soldiers were fighting against the Nepalese invaders with swords, the kingdom was defeated heavily that led the opposition forces to begin their rule.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/king-pradyumna-deserves-a-memorial-196230|title=King Pradyumna 'deserves' a memorial|first=Tribune News|last=Service|website=Tribuneindia News Service}}</ref><ref name="auto3"/>

==Battle==
Since the kingdom was already shattered and unstable due to the [[1803 Garhwal earthquake]] and the entire kingdom was yet to reinstate. With great difficulty due to unstable circumstances caused by earthquake, [[Maharaja]] Pradyuman Shah first moved to [[Srinagar, Uttarakhand]] to Dehradun and then to [[Saharanpur]] arranging the forces to combat Gorkhas. The king succeeded arranging 10,000 soldiers. However, they were much untrained.<ref name="TOI">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/memorial-of-garhwal-king-lying-desolate-and-forgotten/articleshow/67314556.cms|title=Memorial of 54th Garhwal king in Dehradun lying desolate, forgotten | Dehradun News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name="auto3"/> King Pradyumna Shah of [[Garhwal Kingdom]] prepared for warfare by assembling 12,000 men of various groups such as Rangad rajputs, Pundir rajputs, [[Gurjar|Gujars]], and [[Rajput]]s under a Gujjar [[Sardar]] Ramadayal Singh of Landhaur. On the other hand, Gorkhali forces were led by overall commander 'Bada Kaji' [[Amar Singh Thapa]], and his subordinate commanders Kaji [[Ranajit Kunwar]] (the grandfather of the Rana Prime Minister [[Maharaja]] [[Jung Bahadur Kunwar Rana]]{{sfn|Acharya|1971|p=25}})and Bhaktibir Thapa.{{sfn|Dabaral|1987a|p=38}} The battle took place at Khadbuda about a half mile from the palace of [[Guru Ram Rai|Guru Ram Raya]] on 22nd Marga 1860 [[Vikram Samvat|V.S.]] (January 1804). Pradyumna Shah on his horseback was having a conversation with Miya Dulal Singh of Prithvipur and momentarily, Kaji Ranajit Kunwar shot Pradyumna Shah to death.{{sfn|Dabaral|1987a|p=38}} His shot proved successful as Garhwali soldiers ran away and the war finally ended.{{sfn|Dabaral|1987a|p=38}}

==Aftermath==
Son of King Pradyumna, Prince [[Sudarshan Shah]], alongwith Commander Devi Singh fled to Kanakhal with some soldiers. The King's brother, Parakram Shah, fled to his father-in-law's place in Hindur, Nalagarh without caring for funeral rites of the deceased king. Soon after his death, King's another brother, Pritam Shah, was incarcerated by the Gorkhas where he passed his life under many hardships and poverty.<ref name="TOI"/> The Gorkhali commander Amar Singh sent the body of King Pradyumna Shah to [[Haridwar]] with great honors under the protection of Surajan Singh Rawal of Dalanwala and some Gorkhali soldiers.{{sfn|Dabaral|1987a|p=38}} Bada Amar Simha appointed Kaji [[Ranajit Kunwar]] as chief of one of the three revenue divisions of [[Garhwal region|Garhwal]] namely [[Srinagar, Uttarakhand|Srinagar]].{{sfn|Dabaral|1987b|p=120}}

Khurbura was an important place in Garhwal kingdom and now its the only a small village that has left remarkable history behind. This area is now administered by the [[Dehradun]] authorities of [[Uttarakhand]] state.<ref name="auto"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}
==Books==
*{{citation | last = Acharya | first = Baburam | title = The Fall Of Bhimsen Thapa And The Rise Of Jung Bahadur Rana | journal = Regmi Research Series | volume = 3 | issue = 1 | pages = 13–25 | date = January 1, 1971 | url = http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/regmi/pdf/Regmi_03.pdf }}
*{{citation | last = Dabaral | first = Shiva Prasad “Charan” | title = The Rape of Garhwal | journal = Regmi Research Series | volume = 19 | issue = 3 | pages = 37–40| date = March 1987a | url = http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/regmi/pdf/Regmi_19.pdf }}
*{{citation | last = Dabaral | first = Shiva Prasad “Charan” | title = Gorkhali rule in Garhwal | journal = Regmi Research Series | volume = 19 | issue = 7–8 | pages = 115–120| date = July–August 1987b | url = http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/regmi/pdf/Regmi_19.pdf }}

[[Category:Conflicts in 1804|Khurbura]]
[[Category:Battles involving the Indian kingdoms|Khurbura]]
[[Category:1804 in India]]
[[Category:History of Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:History of Dehradun]]
[[Category:Anglo-Nepalese War]]
[[Category:Wars involving Nepal]]
[[Category:1804 in Nepal]]

Haridwar

2026-10-23T18:42:22Z

Gianjatt: I addes some real historical fact

{{EngvarB|date=March 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Haridwar
| other_name = Mayapuri
| official_name =
| settlement_type = [[City]]
| image_skyline = {{Photomontage
| photo4a = Ganga aarti haridwar 01.jpg
| photo2b = Chandidevi temple5.JPG
| photo1a = Evening view of Har-ki-Pauri, Haridwar.jpg
| photo4b = The River Ganga at Haridwar.jpg
| photo3a = Bhagwan Shankar Statue at Haridwar.jpg
| photo3b = Chandi Devi temple, ropeway.jpg
| photo2a = Mansadevi temple2.JPG
| photo5a = Haridwar Junction Railway Station (Oct 18, 2011).jpg
| position =
| size = 275
| foot_montage = '''Clockwise from top:''' Evening view of [[Har Ki Pauri]], [[Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar|Chandi Devi Temple]], [[Gondola lift|Ropeway]] to Chandi Devi, view of the [[Ganges|Ganga River]], [[Haridwar railway station]], [[Aarti|Ganga Aarti]] at Har Ki Pauri, Shiv Murti during sunset and the [[Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar|Mansa Devi Temple]].
}}
| nickname =
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and union territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Uttarakhand]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of Uttarakhand|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Haridwar district|Haridwar]]
| established_title1 =
| established_date1 =
| established_title2 = Municipality
| established_date2 = 1868
| founder =
| government_type = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–Council]]
| governing_body = [[Haridwar Municipal Corporation]]
| leader_title1 = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name1 = [[Anita Sharma]] ([[Indian National Congress|INC]])
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 12.3
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 314
| population_total =
| population_as_of = 2011
| population = 228,832<ref>[https://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/800359-hardwar-uttarakhand.html Hardwar Population Census 2011]</ref>
| population_metro = 231,338
| population_rank =
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes = <ref name=census>{{cite web | title = haridwar City Population Census of India, 2011 | publisher = Office of the Registrar General, India | date = 2 March 2002 |url=http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/28-hardwar.html| access-date = 23 August 2015}}</ref>
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 249401
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = +91-1334
| registration_plate = UK-08
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Human sex ratio|Sex ratio]]
| blank1_info_sec1 = 1.18<ref name=census/> [[male|♂]]/[[female|♀]]
| website = {{URL|https://haridwar.nic.in/}}
| pushpin_map = India Uttarakhand#India
| coordinates = {{coord|29.945|N|78.163|E|display=inline,title}}
| footnotes =
| leader_title2 = [[Municipal Commissioner (India)|Municipal Commissioner]]
| leader_name2 = Alok Kumar Pandey, [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]]
}}

'''Haridwar''' ({{IPAc-en|h|ʌr|ɪ|ˈ|d|w|ɑr}}; {{audio|Haridwar.ogg|local pronunciation}}; Old name Mayapuri<ref>{{Cite web |title=History {{!}} District Haridwar, Government of Uttarakhand {{!}} India |url=https://haridwar.nic.in/history/ |access-date=2023-03-11 |language=en-US}}</ref>) is a city and municipal corporation in the [[Haridwar district]] of [[Uttarakhand]], India. With a population of 228,832 in 2011, it is the second-largest city in the state and the largest in the district.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/0513_PART_B_DCHB_HARDWAR.pdf|title=District Census Handbook, Hardwar|date=29 January 2011|website=censusindia.gov.in|access-date=29 January 2011}}</ref>

The city is situated on the right bank of the [[Ganges]] river, at the foothills of the [[Sivalik Hills|Shivalik ranges]].<ref>{{Cite journal|date=29 January 2011|title=District Census Handbook, Hardwar|url=http://censusindia.gov.in|journal=Census of India 2011|pages=5–7}}</ref> Haridwar is regarded as a holy place for [[Hindu]]s, hosting important religious events and serving as a gateway to several prominent places of worship. Most significant of the events is the [[Kumbha Mela]], which is celebrated every 12 years in Haridwar. During the [[Haridwar Kumbh Mela]], millions of pilgrims, devotees, and tourists congregate in Haridwar to perform ritualistic bathing on the banks of the Ganges to wash away their sins to attain ''[[moksha]]''.

According to Puranic legend, Haridwar, along with [[Ujjain]], [[Nashik]], and [[Allahabad|Prayag]], is one of four sites where drops of ''[[amrita]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-04|title=इस पौराणिक कथा से जानिए क्यों लगता है कुंभ का मेला? – mobile|url=https://www.punjabkesari.in/dharm/news/kumbh-mela-story-related-samudra-manthan-1326800|access-date=2021-11-13|website=punjabkesari}}</ref> the elixir of immortality, accidentally spilled over from a ''[[kumbha]]'' (pitcher) while being carried by the celestial bird [[Garuda]] during the ''[[samudra manthan|Samudra Manthana]]'', or the churning of the ocean of milk.<ref name="sahaja" /> ''Brahma Kund'', the spot where the amrita fell, is believed to be located at [[Har ki Pauri]] (literally, "footsteps of the Lord") and is considered to be the most sacred ''[[ghat]]'' of Haridwar.<ref name="Madan">{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/178 178]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref> It is also the primary centre of the Kanwar pilgrimage, in which millions of participants gather [[Sacred waters|sacred water]] from the Ganges and carry it across hundreds of miles to dispense as offerings in [[Shiva]] shrines.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Uprising of the Fools|last=Singh|first=Vikash|publisher=Stanford University Press|year=2017|isbn=9781503601673}}</ref> Today, the city is developing beyond its religious importance with the fast-developing industrial estate of the [[State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand]] (SIDCUL), and the close by township of [[Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited]] (BHEL), as well as its affiliated ancillaries.

Haridwar presents a kaleidoscope of Indian culture and development. In sacred writings, it has been differently specified as Kapilsthan, Gangadwar and Mayapuri. It is additionally a passage for the [[Chota Char Dham]] (the four principal pilgrim destinations in Uttarakhand). Subsequently, [[Shaivism|Shaivites]] (devotees of Shiva) and [[Vaishnavism|Vaishavites]] (devotees of [[Vishnu]]) call the city ''Hardwar'' and ''Haridwar'', respectively, ''Har'' meaning Shiva and [[Hari]], Vishnu.

==Etymology==
[[File:Haridwar Aerial view.jpg|thumb|Meandering main [[Ganga river]], known here as ''Neel Dhara'' (left) and the Ganga canal (right), passing through Haridwar.]]
The modern name of the town has two spellings: ''Haridwar and Hardwar''. Each of these names has its own connotation.

In [[Sanskrit]]'','' the liturgical language of Hinduism, ''[[Hari]]'' means "[[Vishnu]]", while ''dwar means'' "gateway". So, ''Haridwar'' translates to "The Gateway to Vishnu". It earns this name because it is typically the place where pilgrim's start their journey to visit a prominent temple of Vishnu – [[Badrinath Temple|Badrinath]].

Similarly, ''Hara'' could also mean "[[Shiva]]".<ref name="sahaja">[http://sahajaharidwar.tripod.com/About_Haridwar.html About Haridwar] sahajaharidwar.</ref> Hence, ''Hardwar'' could stand for "Gateway to Shiva". Hardwar is also a typical place to start a pilgrim's journey in order to reach [[Mount Kailash]], [[Kedarnath]], the northernmost [[Jyotirlinga]] and one of the sites of the smaller ''[[Char Dham]]'' pilgrimage circuit – all important places for worship for Hindus.

According to legend, it was in Haridwar that Goddess [[Ganga in Hinduism|Ganga]] descended when [[Shiva]] released the mighty river from the locks of his hair. The [[River Ganga]], after flowing for {{convert|253|km|mi}} from its source at [[Gaumukh]] at the edge of the [[Gangotri Glacier]], enters the [[Gangetic Plain]] for the first time at Haridwar, which gave the city its ancient name, Gangadwára.

In the annotations to her poetical illustration ''Hurdwar, a Place of Hindoo Pilgrimage'', [[Letitia Elizabeth Landon]] provides information on this name derivation, and also the story of the supposed origin of the [[River Ganga|'River Ganges']]. The accompanying plate is engraved from a painting by [[Samuel Prout]]<ref> {{cite book|last =Landon|first=Letitia Elizabeth|title=Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1832|url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=8MpcAAAAcAAJ&pg=GBS.PA2|section=poetical illustration|year=1831|publisher=Fisher, Son & Co.}}{{cite book|last =Landon|first=Letitia Elizabeth|title=Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1832|url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=8MpcAAAAcAAJ&pg=GBS.PA5|section=picture|year=1831|publisher=Fisher, Son & Co.}}</ref>

==History==
{{Main|Haridwar in scriptures}}

[[File:Ganga Mahabalipuram.jpg|150px|right|thumb|Prince [[Bhagiratha]] in penance for the salvation of 60,000 of his ancestors.]]
In the scriptures, Haridwar has been variously mentioned as Kapilasthana, Gangadwara<ref name=sacred>[http://www.sacredsites.com/asia/india/hardwar.html Places of peace and power] sacred sites.</ref> and Mayapuri. It is also an entry point to the [[Char Dham]] (the four main centres of pilgrimage in Uttarakhand ''viz'', [[Badrinath]], [[Kedarnath]], [[Gangotri]], and [[Yamunotri]]), hence, [[Shaivism|Shaivaites]] (followers of [[Lord Shiva|Shiva]]) and [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavites]] (followers of [[Lord Vishnu|Vishnu]]) call this place Hardwar and Haridwar respectively, corresponding to [[Shiva|Hara]] being Shiv and [[Hari]] being Vishnu.<ref name=sacred/><ref name=gaze/><ref name=history/>

[[File:Shiva Bearing the Descent of the Ganges River, folio from a Hindi manuscript by the saint Narayan LACMA M.86.345.6.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Gangadhara, [[Shiva]] bearing the Descent of the [[Ganges river|Ganges River]] as [[Parvati]] and Bhagiratha, and the bull [[Nandi (bull)|Nandi]] look on. ''circa 1740'']]

{{Quote box
|quote = "O [[Yudhishthira]], the spot where Ganga rusheth past, cleaving the foremost of mountains which is frequented by [[Gandharvas]] and [[Yakshas]] and [[Rakshasas]] and [[Apsaras]], and inhabited by hunters, and [[Kinnaras]], is called ''Gangadwara'' (Haridwar). O King, [[Sanatkumara]] regardeth that spot visited by [[Brahmarshi]]s, as also the [[Tirtha (Hinduism)|Tirtha]] [[Kankhal|Kanakhala]] (that is near to it), as sacred."|source = [[The Mahabharata]], Vana Parva: Tirthayatra Parva: Section XC.<ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03090.htm Yudhishthira] [[Mahabharata|The Mahabharata]], translated by [[Kisari Mohan Ganguli]] (1883 -1896), Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirthayatra Parva: Section XC, p 204.</ref>
|width = 40%
|align = left
|bgcolor= #c6dbf7
}}

In the Vanaparva of the [[Mahabharat]], where sage Dhaumya tells [[Yudhishthira]] about the [[Tirtha (Hinduism)|tirtha]]s of India, Gangadwar, i.e., Haridwar and [[Kankhal]], have been referred to,<ref>[http://ignca.nic.in/cd_07006.htm Historical, Cultural and Social Perspectives] Chapter 3, The Cultural Dimension of Ecology, Baidyanath Saraswati, 1998, [[Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts]]. {{ISBN|81-246-0102-X}}. ignca.nic.in. Vanaparva (The Book of the Forest) is third Parva, book of Mahabharata.</ref> the text also mentions that [[Agastya]] Rishi did penance here, with the help of his wife, [[Lopamudra]] (the princess of [[Vidharba]]).<ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03097.htm Lopamudra] [[Mahabharata|The Mahabharata]], translated by [[Kisari Mohan Ganguli]] (1883 -1896), Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirthayatra Parva: Section XCVII.</ref>

Sage [[Kapila]] is said to have an ashram here giving it, its ancient name, Kapila or Kapilasthana.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Stevenson|first1=William|last2=Burn|first2=Richard|last3=Sutherland|first3=James|last4=Hope|first4=Herbert|title=The Imperial Gazetteer of India V2|publisher=Oxford, Clarendon Press|page=52|url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V13_058.gif|access-date=4 May 2017}}</ref>

The legendary King, Bhagiratha, the great-grandson of the [[Suryavansha|Suryavanshi]] King [[Sagara (Vedic king)|Sagar]] (an ancestor of [[Rama]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiantemples.com/beliefs/gangadesc.htm|title=The Descent of the Ganges|website=indiantemples.com}}</ref> is said to have brought the river Ganges down from heaven, through years of penance in [[Satya Yuga]], for the salvation of 60,000 of his ancestors from the curse of the saint [[Kapila]], a tradition continued by thousands of devout Hindus, who bring the ashes of their departed family members, in hope of their salvation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hardwar.com/|title=Haridwar Travel Agent, Haridwar Rishikesh Tour, Haridwar Yatra|website=hardwar.com}}</ref> Vishnu is said to have left his footprint on the stone that is set in the upper wall of Har Ki Pauri, where the Holy Ganges touches it at all times.

Haridwar came under the rule of the [[Maurya Empire]] (322–185 BCE), and later under the [[Kushan Empire]] (c. 1st–3rd centuries). Archaeological findings have proved that [[terra cotta]] culture dating between 1700 BCE and 1200 BCE existed in this region.<ref name=history>[http://haridwar.nic.in/history.htm#history Haridwar History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210151555/http://haridwar.nic.in/history.htm |date=10 December 2007 }} '' Haridwar Official website''.</ref> First modern era written evidence of Haridwar is found in the accounts of a Chinese traveller, [[Xuanzang|Huan Tsang]], who visited India in 629 CE.<ref name="kub">[https://web.archive.org/web/20160303204733/http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/K/kumbhmela/intro_trad.html Kumbh Mela] ''[[Channel 4]].''</ref> during the reign of [[Harsha|King Harshavardhan]] (590–647) records Haridwar as 'Mo-yu-lo', the remains of which still exist at Mayapur, a little to the south of the modern town. Among the ruins are a fort and three temples, decorated with broken stone sculptures,<ref name=gaze/><ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/ Digital Library] ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', Oxford, 1908, Vol.13, p.51.</ref><ref>{{EB1911 |wstitle=Hardwar |volume=12 |page=944 |inline=1}}</ref> he also mentions the presence of a temple, north of Mo-yu-lo called 'Gangadwara', Gateway of the Ganges.<ref name=gaze/>

 
[[File:Head of Ganges Canal, Haridwar, 1894-1898.jpg|thumb|Head of the [[Ganges Canal]], Haridwar, ca ''1894–1898.'']]
[[File:Haridwar from opposite bank of the Ganges, 1866.jpg|thumb|Haridwar from the opposite bank of the Ganges, 1866]]

Haridwar came under the rule of the [[Delhi Sultanate]] in 1206.

The city also fell to the Central Asian conqueror [[Timur|Timur Lang]] (1336–1405) on 13 January 1399.<ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V02_401.gif&volume=2 History] ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', v. 2, p. 570.</ref>

During his visit to Haridwar, first Sikh Guru, [[Guru Nanak]] (1469–1539) bathed at 'Kushawart Ghat', wherein the famous, 'watering the crops' episode took place,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gurmat.info/sms/smspublications/gurunanakforchildren/chapter7/.|title=Guru Nanak (for Children) – A New Way of Teaching|first=Amarpreet Singh|last=Munde|website=gurmat.info}}</ref><ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/skh/tsr1/tsr107.htm Life Of Guru Nanak: Chapter IV] ''The Sikh Religion, Volume 1'', by [[Max Arthur Macauliffe]] (1842–1913), Oxford University Press (1909). ''page 50-52''.</ref> his visit is today commemorated by a [[gurudwara]] (Gurudwara Nanakwara), according to two Sikh [[Janamsakhis]], this visit took place on the [[Baisakhi]] day in 1504 CE, he later also visited [[Kankhal]] en route to [[Kotdwara]] in [[Garhwal Kingdom|Garhwal]].<ref name=janam>[http://www.globalsikhstudies.net/pdf/janamsakhi.pdf Janasakhi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324124627/http://www.globalsikhstudies.net/pdf/janamsakhi.pdf |date=24 March 2012 }} [[Janamsakhis]] of ''Miharban'' and ''Mani Singh'', Janamsakhi Tradition, Dr. Kirpal Singh, 2004, Punjabi University, Patiala. {{ISBN|81-7205-311-8}}. www.globalsikhstudies.net.</ref> Pandas of the Haridwar have been known to keep genealogy records of most of the Hindu population. Known as ''Vahis'', these records are updated on each visit to the city, and are a repository of vast family trees of the family in North India.<ref name=janam/>

In the 16th century, the city came under the rule of the [[Mughals]]. ''[[Ain-e-Akbari]]'', written by [[Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak|Abul Fazal]] in the 16th century during the reign of [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] [[Mughal Emperor|Emperor]] [[Akbar]], refers to it as Maya (Mayapur), known as Hardwar on the [[Ganges]]", as seven sacred cities of Hindus. It further mentions it is eighteen [[Kos (unit)|kos]] (each approx. 2 km) in length, and large numbers of pilgrims assemble on the 10th of Chaitra.<ref>[http://persian.packhum.org/persian/main?url=pf%3Ffile%3D00702050%26ct%3D0 Sacred Places of Pilgrimage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714022016/https://persian.packhum.org/persian/main?url=pf%3Ffile%3D00702050%26ct%3D0 |date=14 July 2018 }} ''Ain-e-Akbari'', Vol. III, p. 306.</ref> It also mentions that during his travels and also while at home, Mughal Emperor, Akbar drank water from the Ganges river, which he called 'the water of immortality'. Special people were stationed at Sorun and later Haridwar to dispatch water, in sealed jars, to wherever he was stationed<ref>[http://persian.packhum.org/persian/main?url=pf%3Ffile%3D00702015%26ct%3D48%26rqs%3D60 Hardwar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920062933/http://persian.packhum.org/persian/main?url=pf%3Ffile%3D00702015%26ct%3D48%26rqs%3D60 |date=20 September 2011 }} ''Ain-e-Akbari'', by [[Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak|Abul Fazl 'Allami]], Volume I, A´I´N 22. The A´bda´r Kha´nah. P 55. Translated from the original Persian, by [[Heinrich Blochmann]] and Colonel Henry Sullivan Jarrett, Asiatic Society of Bengal. Calcutta, 1873–1907. "His Majesty calls this source of life "the water of immortality," and has committed the care of this department to proper persons... Both at home and on travels, he drinks Ganges water."</ref>

During the Mughal period, there was mint for Akbar's copper coinage at Haridwar. It is said that Raja [[Man Singh]] of [[Amber, India|Amber]], laid that foundation of the present-day city of Haridwar and also renovated the ghats at Har Ki Pauri. After his death, his ashes are also said to have been immersed at Brahma Kund. [[Thomas Coryat]], an English traveller, who visited the city in the reign of Emperor [[Jahangir]] (1596–1627) mentions it as 'Haridwara', the capital of Shiva.<ref name=gaze/>

Raja Ram Dayal Singh, a Gujjar ruler of Landhaura, ruled haridwar during the period before his death in 1813. British sources referred to him as the “Raja of Haridwar.” Ann Deane recorded Munglore as a fortified palace belonging to “Ramdial Sing, Rajah of Hurdwar” in her 1823 travel account.<ref>Ann Deane, A Tour through the Upper Provinces of Hindostan, 1804–1814 (1823), p. 192</ref>

Being one of the oldest living cities, Haridwar finds its mention in the ancient Hindu scriptures as it weaves through the life and time stretching from the period of the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]], to the more recent British advent. Haridwar has a rich and ancient religious and cultural heritage. It still has many old [[havelis]] and mansions bearing exquisite murals and intricate stonework.

One of the two major dams on the river Ganges, the Bhimgoda, is situated here. Built-in the 1840s, it diverts the waters of the Ganges to the Upper Ganges Canal, which irrigated the surrounding lands. Though this caused severe deterioration to the Ganges water flow, and is a major cause for the decay of the Ganges as an inland waterway, which till the 18th century was used heavily by the ships of the [[Honourable East India Company|East India Company]], and a town as high up as [[Tehri]], was considered a port city The headworks of the [[Ganges Canal]] system is located in Haridwar. The Upper Ganges Canal was opened in 1854 after the work began in April 1842,<ref name=Ganges>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V12_144.gif Upper Ganges Canal] ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', 1909, v. 12, p. 138.</ref> prompted by the famine of 1837–38. The unique feature of the canal is the half-kilometre-long [[aqueduct (bridge)|aqueduct]] over the Solani river at [[Roorkee]], which raises the canal {{cvt|25|m}} above the original river.
[[File:United Provinces 1903.gif|thumb|Haridwar as a part of the [[United Provinces of Agra and Oudh|United Province]], 1903]]

'Haridwar Union Municipality' was constituted in 1868, which included the then villages of Mayapur and [[Kankhal]]. Haridwar was first connected with railways, via [[Laksar]], through branch line in 1886, when the [[Awadh]] and [[Rohilakhand]] Railway line was extended through [[Roorkee]] to [[Saharanpur]], this was later extended to [[Dehradun]] in 1900.<ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V21_381.gif Trade and Communications] ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', v. 21, p. 375.</ref>

In 1901, it had a population of 25,597 and was a part of the [[Roorkee]] [[tehsil]], in [[Saharanpur]] district of the [[United Provinces of Agra and Oudh|United Province]],<ref name=gaze>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V21_330.gif Roorkee Town] ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', v. 21, p. 324.</ref> and remained so till the creation of [[Uttar Pradesh]] in 1947.<ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V13_059.gif History] ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', v. 13, p. 53.</ref>

Haridwar has been an abode of the weary in body, mind, and spirit. It has also been a centre of attraction for learning various arts, science, and culture. The city has a long-standing position as a great source of [[Ayurveda|Ayurvedic]] medicines and herbal remedies and is home to the unique [[Gurukul]] (school of traditional education), including the [[Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya]], which has a vast campus, and has been providing traditional education of its own kind, since 1902. Development of Haridwar took an upturn in the 1960s, with the setting up of a temple of modern civilisation, [[Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited|BHEL]], a '[[Maharatna]] [[Public Sector Undertaking|PSU]]' in 1975, which brought along not just a its own township of [[Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Ranipur|BHEL, Ranipur]], close to the existing Ranipur village, but also a set of ancillaries in the region. The [[University of Roorkee]], now [[IIT Roorkee]], is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutes of learning in the fields of science and engineering.

==Geography and climate==
[[File:Main Ganga river, before the Bhimgoda barrage, Haridwar.jpg|thumb|''[[Neeldhara Bird Sanctuary]]'' at the main Ganges Canal, before [[Bhimgoda Barrage]], also showing signs of an ancient port.]]

The Ganges emerges from the mountains to touch the plains. The water in the river Ganges is mostly clear and generally cold, except in the rainy season, during which soil from the upper regions flows down into it.

The river Ganges flows in a series of channels separated from each other called aits, most of which are well wooded. Other minor seasonal streams are Ranipur Rao, Pathri Rao, Ravi Rao, Harnaui Rao, Begham Nadi etc.<ref name=urban>{{cite web |url=https://www.tentaran.com/best-five-places-visit-haridwar/ |title=Five Best Places to Visit in Haridwar |date=June 2019 |website=tentaran.com |access-date=2022-07-15}}</ref> A large part of the district is forested, and [[Rajaji National Park]] is within the bounds of the district, making it an ideal destination for wildlife and adventure lovers. Rajaji is accessible through different gates; the Ramgarh Gate and Mohand Gate are within {{cvt|25|km}} of Dehradun, while the Motichur, Ranipur and Chilla Gates are just about {{cvt|9|km}} from Haridwar. Kunaon Gate is {{cvt|6|km}} from [[Rishikesh]], and [[Laldhang]] gate is {{cvt|25|km}} from [[Kotdwara]].

Haridwar district, covering an area of about {{cvt|2360|km2}}, is in the southwestern part of Uttarakhand state of India.

Haridwar is situated at a height of {{cvt|314|m}} from the sea level, between [[Shivalik Hills]] in the North and Northeast and the Ganges River in the South.<ref name=urban/>

===Climate===
{{Expand section|date=May 2010}}
Temperatures:
* Summers: {{cvt|25 to 44|°C}}
* Winters: {{cvt|−1 to 24|°C}}<ref>[http://www.gmvnl.com/newgmvn/districts/haridwar/ New District] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830035914/http://www.gmvnl.com/newgmvn/districts/haridwar/ |date=30 August 2008 }} Haridwar, www.gmvnl.com.</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Haridwar
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes

|Jan high C = 20
|Feb high C = 22
|Mar high C = 27
|Apr high C = 33
|May high C = 36
|Jun high C = 34
|Jul high C = 31
|Aug high C = 30
|Sep high C = 30
|Oct high C = 29
|Nov high C = 26
|Dec high C = 22

|Jan low C = 7
|Feb low C = 9
|Mar low C = 13
|Apr low C = 18
|May low C = 21
|Jun low C = 23
|Jul low C = 23
|Aug low C = 23
|Sep low C = 21
|Oct low C = 17
|Nov low C = 11
|Dec low C = 8

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 72
|Feb precipitation mm = 76
|Mar precipitation mm = 78
|Apr precipitation mm = 55
|May precipitation mm = 113
|Jun precipitation mm = 296
|Jul precipitation mm = 599
|Aug precipitation mm = 568
|Sep precipitation mm = 301
|Oct precipitation mm = 102
|Nov precipitation mm = 23
|Dec precipitation mm = 91

|source = [http://www.sunmap.eu/weather/asia/india/uttarakhand/haridwar Sunmap]
|date=May 2012}}

==Cityscape==
[[File:Har ki pauri panoramic view1.jpg|center|1000px|thumb|Panoramic view of [[Har ki Pauri]]]]
[[File:Panorama of Haridwar City.jpg|center|1000px|thumb|Panorama of Haridwar city from [[Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar|Mansa Devi Temple]]]]

==Hindu genealogy registers at Haridwar==
{{Main|Hindu genealogy registers at Haridwar}}{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2021}}[[File:Main bathing Ghat, Hurdwar (Haridwar), 1880s.jpg|thumb|Main bathing Ghat, at Haridwar, in the 1880s.]]

For centuries when Hindu ancestors visited the holy town of Haridwar for any purpose which may have been for [[pilgrimage]] purposes or/and for [[cremation]] of their dead or for immersion of ashes and bones of their [[family|kin]] after cremation into the waters of the holy Ganges as required by Hindu religious custom, it has been a custom to go to the Pandit who is in charge of one's family register and update the family's [[family tree]] with details of marriages, births, and deaths from ones extended joint family.

==Demographics==
{{bar box
|title=Religions in Haridwar City (2011)<ref>[https://www.census2011.co.in/data/religion/district/586-haridwar.html Hardwar City Population Census 2011 – Uttarakhand]</ref>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism]]|darkorange|82.66}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|green|15.70}}
{{bar percent|[[Christianity]]|blue|0.26}}
{{bar percent|[[Jainism]]|pink|0.13}}
{{bar percent|Others†|black|1.2}}
|caption=Distribution of religions 
†Includes [[Sikh]]s (1%), [[Buddhism|Buddhists]] (<0.2%).
}}

{{As of|2011}} India census, Haridwar district has population of 1,890,422 (2011). In 2001, the population was 1,447,187.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref>

Haridwar city has a 310,562 population (2011). Males constitute 54% of the [[population]] and females, 46%. Haridwar has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 75%, and female literacy is 64%. In Haridwar, 12% of the population is under six years of age.

==Religious sites==
{{Cquote|"Haridvāre Kuśāvarte Bilvake Nīla parvate 
snatvā Kanakhale tīrth punarjanma na vidyate"}}

In [[Hindu]] traditions, the 'Panch [[Tirtha and Kshetra|Tirth]]' (Five Pilgrimages) within Haridwar, are "Gangadwar" ([[Har ki Pauri]]), ''Kushawart'' (Ghat in [[Kankhal]]), ''Bilwa Tirtha'' ([[Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar|Mansa Devi Temple]]) and ''Neel Parvat'' ([[Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar|Chandi Devi Temple]]). There are several other temples and ashrams located in and around the city, a list of which can be found below. Also, alcohol and non-vegetarian food is not permitted in Haridwar.

===Har Ki Pauri===
[[File:Clock Tower, at Har-ki-Pauri, Haridwar.jpg|left|thumb|The Clock Tower on the ''Malviya Dwip'' at Har Ki Pauri.]]
{{Main|Har ki Pauri}}
[[File:Third Shahi Snan in Hari Ki Pauri.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Haridwar Kumbh Mela]] is held in every 12 years and the date is determined by [[Hindu astrology]].]]
This Ghat was constructed by King [[Vikramaditya]] (1st century BCE) in memory of his brother [[Bharthari (king)|Bharthari]]. It is believed that Bharthari came to Haridwar and meditated on the banks of the holy Ganges. When he died, his brother constructed a Ghat in his name, which later came to be known as Har Ki Pauri. The most sacred ghat within Har Ki Pauri is Brahmakund. The evening prayer ([[Aarti]]) at dusk offered to [[Goddess Ganga]] at Har Ki Pauri (steps of God Hara or Shiva) is an enchanting experience for any visitor. A spectacle of sound and colour is seen when, after the ceremony, pilgrims float ''Diyas'' (floral floats with lamps) and incense on the river, commemorating their deceased ancestors. Thousands of people from all around the world do make a point to attend this prayer on their visit to Haridwar. A majority of present ghats were largely developed in the 1800s.
On the night of Dussehra or a few days before that, the Ganga Canal is dried in Haridwar to clean the riverbed. The water is restored on Diwali. It is believed that on Dussera Maa Ganga goes to her father's house and returns after Bhai Duj or Bhai Phota. It is for this reason that the waters in the Ganga canal in Haridwar are partially dried on the night of Dussehra and the waters are restored on the day of Bhai Duj or Bhai Phota.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://personal.carthage.edu/jlochtefeld/indiajterm/hd.html|title=Haridwar|website=personal.carthage.edu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20131016/dplus.htm|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Dehradun Plus|website=The Tribune|location=Chandigarh}}</ref>

===Chandi Devi Temple===
[[File:Chandi Devi Mandir,Haridwar.JPG|thumb|[[Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar]]]]
{{Main|Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar}}
The temple is dedicated to Goddess [[Chandi]], who sits atop the 'Neel Parvat' on the eastern bank of the river Ganges. It was constructed in 1929 CE by the king of [[Kashmir]], Suchat Singh. [[Skanda Purana]] mentions a legend, in which ''Chanda-Munda'', the Army Chief of a local Demon Kings ''Shumbha'' and ''Nishumbha'' were killed by goddess [[Chandi]] here, after which the place got the name, Chandi Devi. It is believed that the main statue was established by the [[Shankaracharya|Adi Shankaracharya]] in the 8th century CE. The temple is a {{cvt|3|km}} trek from Chandighat and can also be reached through a ropeway.

===Mansa Devi Temple===
[[File:Mansadevi temple10.JPG|thumb|[[Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar]]]]
[[file:Mansadevi temple5.JPG|thumb|Ropeway to [[Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar]]]]
{{Main|Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar}}
The temple of Goddess [[Mata Mansa Devi Mandir|Mansa Devi]] is situated at the top of the Bilva Parvat, literally means 'Goddess fulfilling desires'. Mansa is a tourist destination, Especially because of the mountain cable cars which offer city views.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} The main temple houses two idols of the Goddess, one with three mouths and five arms, while the other one has eight arms.

===Maya Devi Temple===
{{Main|Maya Devi Temple, Haridwar}}
Haridwar was previously known as Mayapuri which is because of the Goddess Maya Devi. Dating to the 11th century CE, this ancient temple of Maya Devi, the ''Adhishthatri Devi'' (Patron Goddess) of Haridwar, is considered one of the Siddhapithas and is said to be the place where the heart and navel of Goddess [[Dakshayani|Sati]] had fallen. It is one of few ancient temples still standing in Haridwar, along with Narayani Shila temple and Bhairav Temple.

=== Makarvahini Temple ===
Located close to the Birla Ghat, near Laltarao Pul is a temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Pioneer|first=The|title=Veggies adore this goddess on 'Ashtami puja'|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2016/state-editions/veggies-adore--this-goddess-on-ashtami-puja.html|access-date=2020-08-09|work=The Pioneer|location=India|language=en}}</ref> This temple was established by Jayandra Saraswati, Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti, a few decades ago.<ref>{{Cite web|title=यहां सब्जी और फलों से किया जाता है मां का श्रृंगार|url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/uttarakhand/vegetables-and-fruits-are-offered-to-goddess-in-haridwar-uttarakhand-841443.html|access-date=2020-08-09|website=News18 India|date=22 October 2015 }}</ref> The temple, built in South-Indian style, has a traditional custom of decorating the goddess with vegetables and dry fruits, giving her the title of Shakumbhari on Ashtami Pooja, the eighth day of Navratri.<ref name=":0" />

===Kankhal===
[[File:Das Mahavidya temple, Daksheswara Mahadev temple.JPG|thumb|Das Mahavidya temple, Daksheswara Mahadev temple]]
[[File:Bholanath Sevashram temple by the Ganges, Haridwar.jpg|thumb|Bholanath Sevashram temple by the Ganges, Haridwar]]
{{Main|Daksheswara Mahadev Temple}}
The ancient temple of [[Daksha]] Mahadev also known as Daksheshwar Mahadev Temple has situated in the south [[Kankhal]] town. According to Hindu texts, King [[Daksha]] [[Prajapati]], father of [[Dakshayani]], Shiva's first wife, performed a yagña, to which he deliberately did not invite Shiva. When she arrived uninvited, he was further insulted by the king, seeing which Sati felt infuriated and self-immolated herself in the ''yagna kund''. King Daksha was later killed by [[Virabhadra]], born out of Shiva's anger. Later the king was brought to life and given a goat's head by [[Shiva]]. Daksha Mahadev temple is a tribute to this legend.

Sati Kund, another historical heritage is situated in the [[Kankhal]]. Legend has it that Sati immolated herself in this ''kund''.

===Bharat Mata Mandir===
{{Main|Bharat Mata}}
Bharat Mata Mandir is a multi-storey temple dedicated to ''[[Bharat Mata]]'' (Mother India). ''Bharat Mata Mandir'' was inaugurated on 15 May 1983 by [[Indira Gandhi]] on the banks of the river Ganges. It is situated adjacent to the ''Samanvaya Ashram'', and stands eight stories tall to a height of {{convert|180|ft|m}}. Each floor depicts an era in the Indian history, from the days of [[Ramayana]]{{dubious|that is not history, it is a religious epic|date=June 2011}} until India's independence.

On the first floor is the statue of ''Bharat Mata''. The second floor, ''Shur Mandir'', is dedicated to the well-renowned heroes of India. The third floor ''Matri Mandir'' is dedicated to the achievements of India's revered women, such as [[Radha]], [[Mira Bai|Mira]], [[Savitri and Satyavan|Savitri]], [[Draupadi]], [[Ahilya (Hindu mythology)|Ahilya]], [[Anusuya]], [[Maitreyi]], [[Gargi]] etc. The great saints from various religions, including [[Jainism]], [[Sikhism]], and [[Buddhism]] are featured on the fourth floor ''Sant Mandir''. The assembly hall with walls depicting symbolic coexistence of all religions practised in India and paintings portraying history in various provinces is situated on the fifth floor. The various forms of the Goddess [[Shakti]] can be seen on the sixth floor, whilst the seventh floor is devoted to all incarnations of [[Vishnu]]. The eighth floor holds the shrine of [[Shiva]] from which devotees can gain a view of Himalayas, Haridwar, and the campus of ''Sapta Sarovar''.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}

The temple was built under the former Shankaracharya Maha-Mandleshwar [[Swami Satyamitranand]] Giri Maharaj. Since the inception of the Swami Satyamitranand foundation in 1998, several other branches have been opened, namely in Renukut, Jabalpur, Jodhpur, Indore, and Ahmedabad. It is presently under The Junapeethadheesh, Acharya Shree Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj.

===Piran Kaliyar===
[[Piran Kaliyar Sharif]], built by [[Ibrahim Lodhi]], a ruler of Delhi, this 'Dargah' of Hazrat [[Alauddin Sabir Kaliyari]], a 13th-century, Sufi Saint of [[Chishti Order]] (also known as [[Sarkar Sabir Pak]]), in Kaliyar village, {{cvt|7|km}}. from [[Roorkee]],<ref>[http://www1.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/40144201.cms Piran Kaliyar]{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} [[Times of India]], 13 March 2003.</ref> is visited by devotees from all over the world, during the annual '[[Urs]]' festival, which is celebrated from 1st day of sighting the moon to 16th day of [[Rabi al-awwal]] month, in the [[Islamic calendar]].

===Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar===
At a distance of {{cvt|3.5|km}} from Haridwar Junction Railway Station, Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar is a bird-watching point situated at the Bhimgoda Barrage of Haridwar and has rich flora and fauna.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} The Bhimgoda Barrage is on the Ganges River near Har-Ki-Pauri Ghat. The barrage was originally built to aid irrigation but it also generates hydro-electric power and controls floods. The area behind the barrage is known as Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar. The place is popular among bird-loving tourists.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} The place is known for Siberian Cranes that can be spotted during the winter months at Laljiwala. In addition, the place is also a natural habitat of different species of migratory birds. Not only avid bird watchers, but the spot also welcomes a number of nature lovers and trekkers.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} Also, the spot of Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar is visited by trekkers as it is situated close to many trekking routes in Haridwar. Visitors can also see the Shivalik Hills from the bird watching point and enjoy the sight of the snow-covered mountains which makes it to the top list of tourist attractions in Haridwar.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}

[[File:Chilla.jpg|thumb|right|Haridwar from Chilla Range, [[Rajaji National Park]]]]

===Other temples and ashrams===
Dudhadhari Barfani Temple, part of the ashram of Dudhadhari Barfani Baba, was constructed from shining white marble and honours [[Rama]]-[[Sita]] and Hanumana.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}Sureshvari Devi Temple, a temple dedicated to the goddess Sureshwari, is situated in the middle of Rajaji National Park, and thus is only accessible with permission from forest rangers. Pawan Dham is a modern temple made entirely of glass pieces, which is now a tourist destination.
[[File:Shiva statue by the Ganges, across Har-ki-Pauri, Haridwar.jpg|thumb|left|Shiva statue by the Ganges, across Har-ki-Pauri, Haridwar]]
One of the most sacred temples in Haridwar is Tirupati Balaji Mandir. The temple, which is built in the Dravidian architectural style, is located {{cvt|4.5|km}} away from Har Ki Pauri. It is a major pilgrimage centre of Haridwar in Uttarakhand. The image of the temple deity represents both Vishnu and Shiva ( Vishnu is considered as the preserver whereas Shiva is considered as the destroyer in Hindu religion).

Sapt Rishi Ashram at Sapt Sarovar, near the bank of the Ganga, is a meditation and yoga centre. The Ashram, established in 1943 by Guru Goswami Dutt, provides lodging, meals and free education for poor kids. Sapt Rishi Ashram, as its name would suggest, was the place where seven sages, namely Kashyapa, Vashisht, Atri, Vishwamitra, Jamadagi, Bharadwaja and Gautam, meditated. As per the mythological records, when all the sages were meditating, they were disturbed by the gushing sound of river Ganges. Annoyed and irritated due to sound, all seven of them were trapped in the flow of the river. Later, Ganges River splits into seven water streams so there is less noise. Those seven river streams are now known as Sapt Sarovar, and the point where the seven sages meditated is called as Saptrishi Ashram.

[[File:Haridwar Jain temple (1).jpg|thumb|right|Shri Chintamani Parshwnath Jain Shwetambar Mandir]]
In the Harihar Ashram, Kankhal, the Parad Shivalinga (Mercury Shivalinga) weighing about 150  kg and a [[Rudraksha]] tree are the main attractions for pilgrims and tourists.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} The Ramanand Ashram, situated in the Shravan Nath Nagar district near the railway station, is the main ashram of Ramanand Sampraday in Haridwar. The Uma Maheswar Sanyas Ashram lies on the banks of the Ganga, in Bairagi Camp; while the Anandamayi Maa Ashram is located in [[Kankhal]], one of five sub-cities of Haridwar, and houses the samadhi shrine of [[Sri Anandamoyi Ma]] (1896–1982), a noted saint of India. [[Shantikunj]] is the headquarters of the spiritual and social organisation All World Gayatri Pariwar (AWGP) established by Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya. Located {{cvt|6|km|spell=in}} from Haridwar railway station, at the bank of the Ganges and under the Shivalik Himalayas, it is a place of attraction for tourists as well as seekers of spiritual guidance.

[[File:Patanjali center.jpg|left|thumb|Pantanjali Yogpeeth]]
The Shri Chintamani Parshwnath Jain Shwetambar Mandir was built in 1990 by Jain saint Shri Padam Sagar Suri. This temple is built by Jaisalmer stone in Jain architectural style. Moolnayak of this temple is a black coloured idol of Chintamani Parshwnath Bhagwan in Padmasan posture. Idols of Shri Parshv Yaksha and Mata Padmawati on both sides of the main idol. There is also an idol of Rishabhanatha made up of white marble. There is small temple of Shri Ghantakaran Mahavir Ji and charan-paduka's (foot imprints) near this temple. The temple also has a dharmshala for accommodation of around 1000 pilgrims at a time.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jainsamaj.org/rpg_site/literature2.php?id=2596&cat=40&subcat=123&subsubcat=43 |title=Archived copy |access-date=19 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827215650/http://www.jainsamaj.org/rpg_site/literature2.php?id=2596&cat=40&subcat=123&subsubcat=43 |archive-date=27 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.haridwarrishikeshtourism.com/haridwar-temples.html|title=Haridwar Temples, Haridwar Temple Tour, List of Temples in Haridwar|last=haridwarrishikeshtourism.com|website=haridwarrishikeshtourism.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://jinalay.wordpress.com/2016/01/18/shri-chintamani-parshwnath-jain-shwetambar-mandir-haridwar-uttarkhand/|title=Shri Chintamani Parshwnath Jain Shwetambar Mandir, Haridwar, Uttarkhand|date=18 January 2016}}</ref>

The [[Patanjali Yogpeeth]] is situated in Haridwar-Delhi Highway. This is a yoga institution and research centre of [[Swami Ramdev]]. Every day thousands of people come here for yoga and other purposes. The Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama is a branch of the worldwide [[Ramakrishna Movement]]. The Mission centre was founded in 1901, and the Math centre was started in 1980. The Math centre conducts daily worship and bhajans, and fortnightly Ramnam Sankirtan.

== Seven holy places (Sapta Puri) ==
[[File:ganga aarti haridwar 02.jpg|thumb|Ganga Aarti at Haridwar]]
{{Main|Sapta Puri}}

"Ayodhyā Mathurā Māyā Kāśī Kāñcī Avantikā 
Purī Dvārāvatī caiva saptaitā mokṣadāyikāḥ" – ''[[Garuda Purana|Garuḍa Purāṇa]] I XVI .14''

''[[Ayodhya]], [[Mathura]], Haridwar, [[Varanasi|Kasi]], [[Kanchipuram|Kanchi]], [[Ujjain|Avantika]] and [[Dwarka|Dwaraka]] are the seven holy places.''<ref>{{cite book |last=Kramrisch |first=Stella |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NNcXrBlI9S0C&pg=PA3 |title=The Hindu Temple |date=25 February 2018 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=9788120802230 |via=Google Books}}</ref>

Note the use of the puranic name 'Maya' for Haridwar. As also the inter-change usage of [[Puri]] and [[Dwarka|Dwaraka]].

The ''Garuḍa Purāṇa'' enumerates seven cities as the giver of ''Moksha''. Haridwar is said to be one of the seven most holy [[Hindu]] places (=''[[Kshetra|Kṣetra]]'') in India, with [[Varanasi]] usually considered the holiest. A Kṣetra is sacred ground, a field of active power, a place where ''[[Moksha]]'', final release can be obtained.

== Educational institutions ==

=== unipolaris academy ===
An organisation in Shivalik Nagar, Haridwar providing live online tuition classes for grades 6,7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 through visualisation techniques.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Unipolaris Academy – Learn. Think. Visualize|url=https://unipolaris.com/|access-date=2021-02-04|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Acharyakulam===
situated in Haridwar- Delhi highway it is the part of Patanjali group. This is residential institution.

===Gurukul Kangri University===
Situated in [[Kankhal]], at the banks of the river Ganges, [[Gurukul Kangri Mahavidyalaya|Gurukul Kangri University]] is one of the oldest Universities of India, it was founded in 1902 by [[Swami Shraddhananda]] (1856–1926), according to the tenets of [[Swami Dayananda Saraswati]], the founder of [[Arya Samaj]]. It has also been visited by British Trade Union leader [[Charles Freer Andrews]] and British prime minister, [[Ramsay MacDonald]], to study the unique [[Gurukul]] based education system. Here Ancient Vedic and Sanskrit literature, Ayurveda, Philosophy are part of the curriculum besides Modern Sciences and Journalism. Its 'Archaeological Museum', (established 1945) houses some rare statues, coins, paintings, manuscripts, and artefacts, starting from [[Indus Valley civilisation]] culture (c. 2500–1500 BCE). [[Mahatma Gandhi]] visited the campus three times, and stayed in its sprawling and serene campus for extended periods of time, most notably during the 1915 [[Kumbh mela]],<ref name="Rishikesh">[[S:The Story of My Experiments with Truth/Part V/Lakshman Jhula|Kumbh Mela 1915]] [[The Story of My Experiments with Truth]]/Part V/Lakshman Jhula.</ref> followed by a visit in 1916, when on 20 March, he spoke at Gurukul Anniversary.<ref>[[S:Chronology of Mahatma Gandhi's life/India 1916|Chronology of Mahatma Gandhi's life/India 1916]] Wiki Source.</ref>

===Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya===
[[Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya]] was established in 2002 by the act of the Uttarakhand Government is a fully residential university. Run by Shri Vedmata Gayatri Trust, [[Shantikunj]], Haridwar (headquarters of [[All World Gayatri Pariwar]]), it provides various degree, diploma and certificate courses in areas like Yogic Science, Alternative Therapy, Indian Culture, Tourism, Rural Management, Theology, Spiritual Counseling, etc. It also provides courses through [[distance learning]].

===Uttarakhand Sanskrit University===
Set up by the Government of Uttarakhand, the university is dedicated to studies of ancient Sanskrit scriptures and books. It also has a curriculum covering ancient Hindu rituals, culture, and tradition, and boasts of a building inspired by ancient Hindu architecture style.

===Chinmaya Degree College===
Situated in [[Shivalik Nagar, Haridwar|Shivalik Nagar]], {{cvt|10|km}} from Haridwar city. one of the science colleges in Haridwar.

===HEC PG College===
It was established in the year 2002. HEC College provides Undergraduate, Postgraduate, PG diploma courses. The courses are in the field of commerce, Management, Science, Lib. Science and Arts and it is affiliated to HNB Garhwal University, Sri Nagar, Garhwal, and Sri Dev Suman Uttarakhand University, Badshahithol, Tehri Garhwal.

===Sheel Institute===
Situated in [[Shivalik Nagar, Haridwar|Shivalik Nagar]], {{cvt|10|km}} from Haridwar city. one of the Best Computer Institute in Haridwar.

===Other colleges===
There are two State Ayurvedic College & Hospital in Haridwar, one is Rishikul State Ayurvedic College (has PG level courses) and the other is Gurukul Ayurvedic College.

===Other schools===
* [[Delhi Public School Society|Delhi Public School]], Haridwar
* [[Kendriya Vidyalaya]], B.H.E.L. Haridwar
* [[DAV Central Public School]], Jagjeetpur
* Children Foundation Academy, Haridwar
* Shivdale School, Jagjeetpur

==Important areas within the city==
'''[[Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited, Ranipur|B.H.E.L., Ranipur Township]]'''
The campus of [[Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited]], a [[Maharatna]] [[Public Sector Undertaking]] (PSU) is spread across an area of {{cvt|12|km2}}. The main factory consists of two divisions: the Heavy Electricals Equipment Plant (HEEP), and the Central Foundry Forge Plant (CFFP). Together they employ over 8000 skilled employees. The campus is divided into six sectors providing excellent residential, schooling and medical facilities.

'''[[Bahadrabad]] – {{cvt|7|km}}'''
It is located on the Haridwar–Delhi National Highway at a distance of {{cvt|7|km}} from Haridwar. Close by, in village Pathri, lies the [[Bhimgoda Barrage]] built on the Upper Ganges Canal in 1955. It also has a block development office responsible for many developed villages (e.g. Khedli, Kisanpur Rohalki, Atmalpur Bongla, Sitapur, Alipur, Salempur).

'''SIDCUL – {{cvt|5|km}}'''
A massive industrial area, spread over {{cvt|2034|acre}}, developed by [[State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand]] ([[SIDCUL]]), a state government body. With the arrival of big enterprises like [[ITC (company)|ITC]], [[Hindustan Unilever Limited]], [[Dabur]], [[Mahindra & Mahindra]], Havells and Kirby, SIDCUL is set to develop into another industrial township within the city. {{cvt|3|km|spell=in}} away from the Delhi-Hardwar National Highway, SIDCUL lies adjacent to the [[Ranipur, Uttarakhand|BHEL Township]], an important Public Sector township.

'''Jwalapur'''
An old part of the city, Jwalapur is the financial and industrial capital of the city, and now an important trading and shopping centre for the locals. The town dates back to 1700 CE. This town was called Mohammed Pura and ruled by a local Muslim ruler. In the early 1600s the family of Sisodias from Mewar, descendants of Rana Pratap, fleeing from the Mughal invasion, came to settle on the outskirts of Haridwar. The families lived quietly for almost a generation to avoid detection. Local people renamed their surname to Mehta. It is firmly believed that in early 1700 the Mehtas dislodged the Muslim ruler and renamed the town as Jwalapur. This family subsequently settled in Jwalapur itself and intermarried with the local population.

'''Cheela Dam'''
A good picnic spot with a dam and a man-made lake nearby. Elephants and other wild animals may be spotted.

'''[[Shivalik Nagar, Haridwar|Shivalik Nagar]]'''
One of the newest and biggest residential areas of Haridwar. It is divided into various clusters. It was originally developed as a residential colony for BHEL employees, but with the advent of SIDCUL, population and financial activity has grown rapidly in the area due to its proximity.

==Transport==
[[File:Haridwar Railway station.JPG|right|thumb|Haridwar Railway station]]
Haridwar is headquarters of Haridwar district and it has good connectivity with the other towns of the district and the [[Uttarakhand|state]].

===Road===
[[National Highway 58 (India)|National Highway 58]], between [[Delhi]] and [[Mana Pass]] passes through Haridwar connecting it with [[Ghaziabad, India|Ghaziabad]], [[Meerut]], [[Muzzafarnagar]], [[Roorkee]] and [[Badrinath]] and [[National Highway 74 (India)|National Highway 74]] originating from Haridwar connects it with [[Kashipur, Uttarakhand|Kashipur]], [[Kichha]], [[Nagina]], [[Pilibhit]] and [[Bareilly]]. Haridwar is well connected to all major cities by bus. Buses from Delhi to Haridwar are available daily, more than 150 buses are available.

===Rail===
The [[Haridwar Railway Station]] located in Haridwar is under the control of the [[Northern Railways|Northern Railway]] zone of the [[Indian Railways]]. It has direct links the major cities of [[India]] such as [[Kolkata]], [[Delhi]], [[Mumbai]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Chennai]],[[Gorakhpur]], [[Muzaffarpur]], [[Madgaon]], [[Jaipur]], [[Jodhpur]], [[Ahmedabad]], [[Patna]], [[Gaya (India)|Gaya]], [[Varanasi]], [[Allahabad]], [[Bareilly]], [[Lucknow]], [[Puri]], and major cities of [[Central India]] namely [[Bhopal]], [[Ujjain]], [[Indore]], [[Khandwa]], [[Itarsi]].

===Air===
The nearest domestic airport is [[Jolly Grant Airport]] in [[Dehradun]] which is located {{cvt|35|km}} from Haridwar. [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] in [[New Delhi]] is the nearest International Airport which is located {{cvt|220|km}} from Haridwar.

==Industry==
Haridwar is rapidly developing as an important industrial township of Uttarakhand since the state government agency, SIIDCUL established in 2002, set up the Integrated Industrial Estate in a district attracting many important industrial houses which are setting up manufacturing facilities in the area. According to list of allottee provided by SIIDCUL, the industrial estate is home to over 650 companies currently.<ref>https://www.siidcul.com/upload/industrialEstate/LOA_IIEHaridwar1442649742.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>

Haridwar has an industrial area situated at the bypass road, comprising mainly ancillary units to PSU, [[Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited|BHEL]], which was established here in 1964 and currently employs over 8000 people.

== Notable people ==
{{unreferenced section|date=November 2022}}
{{Div col|small=yes}}
* [[Pilot Baba]]
* [[Hans Ji Maharaj]]
* [[Vijay Singh Gujjar]]
* [[Satpal Maharaj]]
* [[Prem Rawat]]
* [[Urvashi Rautela]]
* [[Charles Orman]]
* [[Ernest Burdett]]
* [[Rishabh Pant]]
* [[Narender Pal Singh]]
* [[Beatrice Harrison]]
* [[Louisa Durrell]]
* [[John Duncan Grant]]
* [[Usha Verma]]
* [[Vijay Bose]]
* [[Naresh Bedi]]
* [[Raza Ali Abidi]]
* [[Krishna Chandra Sharma]]
* [[Unwan Chishti]]
* [[Shriya Saran]]
* [[Kunwar Pranav Singh]]
* [[Ram Dayal Singh]]
{{Div col end}}

==In Art and Literature==
Besides ''Hurdwar, a Place of Hindoo Pilgrimage'' referred to above, an engraving of a painting entitled {{ws|[[s:Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L. E. L.) in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1838/Hurdwar—The Gate of Vishnoo|Hurdwar, The Gate of Hari or Vishnou]]}} by William Purser with a poetical illustration by [[Letitia Elizabeth Landon]] was published in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1838.<ref> {{cite book|last =Landon|first=Letitia Elizabeth|title=Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1838|url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=49BbAAAAQAAJ&pg=GBS.PA10|section=poetical illustration|year=1837|publisher=Fisher, Son & Co.}}{{cite book|last =Landon|first=Letitia Elizabeth|title=Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1838|url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=49BbAAAAQAAJ&pg=GBS.PA12|section=picture|year=1837|publisher=Fisher, Son & Co.}}</ref>

==See also==

* [[Ahilyabai Holkar]]
* [[Dhangar]]
* [[Garhwali people]]
* [[Gurjars]]
* [[Tyagi]]s
* [[Bhuiyar Dharmshala]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Further reading==
* ''Gateway to the Gods: Haridwar-Rishikesh''. Rupinder Khullar, Reeta Khullar. 2004, UBS Publishers. {{ISBN|81-7476-460-7}}.
* [http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00generallinks/blavatsky/10baghcaves.html#hardwar Hardwar Mela] ''From the Caves and Jungles of Hindostan (1879–80)'', by [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky]] (1831–1891).
* ''Report'', by [[Archaeological Survey of India]], [[Alexander Cunningham]]. Published by Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, 1871. Chapt 30: Haridwar or Gangadwara, p. 231–236.
* Chapter XVII: Himalayas, Hardwar. ''India, Past and Present'', by Charles Harcourt Ainslie Forbes-Lindsay. Published by J.C. Winston, 1903. ''Page 295''.

==External links==

*

* [http://haridwar.nic.in/ Official website of Haridwar district.]

{{Hindu holy cities}}
{{Haridwar district}}
{{Municipalities of Uttarakhand}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Uttarakhand}}

[[Category:Haridwar| ]]
[[Category:Hindu holy cities]]
[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Haridwar district]]
[[Category:Tourism in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Shaivism]]
[[Category:Vaishnavism]]
[[Category:Cities in Uttarakhand]]

Samthar State

2026-10-12T06:50:23Z

Gianjatt: State cheif caste

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox Former Subdivision
|native_name =
|conventional_long_name = Samthar State
|common_name = Samthar
|nation = [[British India]]
|subdivision =[[Princely state]]
|capital = Samthar
|era =
|year_start = 1760
|date_start =
|event_start=
|year_end = 1950
|date_end =
|event_end= [[Independence of India|Accession to the Union of India]]
|event1 =
|date_event1 =
|p1 =Maratha Empire
|s1 = India
|flag_p1 = Flag of the Maratha Empire.svg
|flag_s1 = Flag of India.svg
|image_flag =
|image_coat =Samthar State CoA.png
|image_map =
|image_map_caption =
|stat_area1 =461
|stat_year1 =1901
|stat_pop1 =33,472
|footnotes =
}}
'''Samthar State''' was a Gujjar [[princely state]] in [[India]] during the [[British Raj]].
The state was administered as part of the [[Bundelkhand Agency]] of [[Central India Agency|Central India]]. Its capital was [[Samshergarh]] town, located in a level plain in the [[Bundelkhand]] region crossed by the [[Pahuj River|Pahuj]] and the [[Betwa River|Betwa]] rivers.

The founder was Raja Ranjith Singh Gujjar who in 1760, profiting from the troubled times of the [[Maratha]] invasion, proclaimed his state independent and was acknowledged as a Raja by the Marathas. In 1817 Samthar was recognized as a state by the British.<ref name="Lethbridge2005">{{cite book|author=Sir Roper Lethbridge|title=The Golden Book of India: A Genealogical and Biographical Dictionary of the Ruling Princes, Chiefs, Nobles, and Other Personages, Titled Or Decorated of the Indian Empire|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7iOsNUZ2MXgC&pg=PA475|year=2005|publisher=Aakar Books|isbn=978-81-87879-54-1|pages=475–}}</ref> They received a [[sanad (deed)|sanad]] of adoption in 1862. In 1884 the state had to cede some territories for the construction of the railways.<ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V22_030.gif Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 22, p. 24.]</ref>

== Rajas ==
*1817 - 1827 Ranjit Singh II (d. 1827)
*1827 - 1864 Hindupat Singh (b. 1823 - d. 1890)
*1858 - 3 Feb 1865 Rani .... (f) -Regent
* 3 Feb 1865 - 1877 Chhatar Singh (b. 1843 - d. 1896)

== Maharajas ==
*1877 - 16 Jun 1896 [[Chhatar Singh Deo]] (s.a.)
*17 Jun 1896 - 9 Oct 1935 [[Bir Singh Judeo|Bir Singh]] (b. 1864 - d. 1936) (from 3 Jun 1915, Sir Bir Singh)
* 9 Oct 1935 – 1950 [[Radha Charan Singh]] (b. 1914 - d. 1972)
*1972 - Present [[Ranjeet Singh Judeo]] Titular

==See also==
* [[Jhansi District]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{MP Princely States}}
{{Princely states of India}}

{{coord|25|51|N|78|55|E|source:kolossus-cawiki|display=title}}

[[Category:Princely states of Bundelkhand]]
[[Category:Jhansi district]]
[[Category:Rajputs]]
[[Category:Princely states of Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:1760 establishments in India]]
[[Category:1950 disestablishments in India]]

Nain Singh Nagar

2026-10-09T10:24:39Z

Gianjatt: The term Gujar Gardi appears in Hari Ram Gupta’s Sikh Domination of the Mughal Empire. The account records that in June 1753, Imad-ul-Mulk recruited 2,000 Gujars under Jit Singh during his conflict with Safdar Jung. It also records that Gujar forces plundered Delhi throughout the night of 18 January 1774

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Notable|date=October 2018}}
{{One source|date=October 2018}}
}}
[[File:Gurjar Raja Nain singh Nagar.jpg|thumb|Nain Singh Nagar]]
'''Raja Nain Singh Nagar''' ({{lang-hi|राजा नैन सिंह नागर}}) & Rao jeta(Jit) Singh Gujar <ref name="Kolff2010">{{cite book|author=Dirk H.A. Kolff|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9955DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA451|title=Grass in their Mouths: The Upper Doab of India under the Company's Magna Charta, 1793-1830|date=13 August 2010|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-18802-0|pages=451–|author-link=Dirk H. A. Kolff}}</ref>

Rao Jeta Gujar, also known as Rao Jit Singh or Raja Jait Singh, was an eighteenth-century Gujar chief associated with Parikshitgarh in the Meerut region. According to the Meerut District Gazetteer, he controlled important Ganga crossings leading into Rohilkhand. The account states that Partab Singh, a Subahdar of the Deccan, marched against the Gujars after Jit Singh killed one of his followers, but was defeated and killed. Kumar Ali, the Kotwal of Delhi, subsequently attempted to confront Jit Singh but reportedly suffered the same.<ref>H. R. Nevill, Meerut District Gazetteer (1904) </ref>

Rao Jeta Gujar fought against forces associated with the Mughal court and regional powers. According to Meerut District Gazetteer, Partab Singh, a Subahdar of the Deccan, marched against the Gujars after Jit Singh killed one of his followers. Partab Singh was defeated and killed. The same account states that Kumar Ali, the Kotwal of Delhi, also campaigned against Jit Singh and suffered defeat<ref>H. R. Nevill, Meerut District Gazetteer (1904) </ref>

Gujargardi

The term Gujar Gardi appears in Hari Ram Gupta’s Sikh Domination of the Mughal Empire. The account records that in June 1753, Imad-ul-Mulk recruited 2,000 Gujars under Jit Singh during his conflict with Safdar Jung. It also records that Gujar forces plundered Delhi throughout the night of 18 January 1774<ref name=":0" />

==rences==
{{reflist}}<ref name=":0">Hari Ram Gupta, History of the Sikhs: Sikh Domination of the Mughal Empire, 1764–1803, Volume III

H. R. Nevill, Meerut District Gazetteer (1904) </ref>
[[Category:History of Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Medieval India]]
[[Category:Hindu monarchs]]
<references /><ref>H. R. Nevill, Meerut District Gazetteer (1904) </ref>
<references /><ref name=":1">Hari Ram Gupta, History of the Sikhs: Sikh Domination of the Mughal Empire, 1764–1803, Volume III</ref>
<ref name=":1" />

Nain Singh Nagar

2026-10-09T10:20:45Z

Gianjatt: Expanded historical account of Rao Jeta Gujar and Raja Nain Singh with citations to the Meerut District Gazetteer.

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Notable|date=October 2018}}
{{One source|date=October 2018}}
}}
[[File:Gurjar Raja Nain singh Nagar.jpg|thumb|Nain Singh Nagar]]
'''Raja Nain Singh Nagar''' ({{lang-hi|राजा नैन सिंह नागर}}) & Rao jeta(Jit) Singh Gujar <ref name="Kolff2010">{{cite book|author=Dirk H.A. Kolff|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9955DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA451|title=Grass in their Mouths: The Upper Doab of India under the Company's Magna Charta, 1793-1830|date=13 August 2010|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-18802-0|pages=451–|author-link=Dirk H. A. Kolff}}</ref>

Rao Jeta Gujar, also known as Rao Jit Singh or Raja Jait Singh, was an eighteenth-century Gujar chief associated with Parikshitgarh in the Meerut region. According to the Meerut District Gazetteer, he controlled important Ganga crossings leading into Rohilkhand. The account states that Partab Singh, a Subahdar of the Deccan, marched against the Gujars after Jit Singh killed one of his followers, but was defeated and killed. Kumar Ali, the Kotwal of Delhi, subsequently attempted to confront Jit Singh but reportedly suffered the same.<ref>H. R. Nevill, Meerut District Gazetteer (1904) </ref>

Rao Jeta Gujar fought against forces associated with the Mughal court and regional powers. According to Meerut District Gazetteer, Partab Singh, a Subahdar of the Deccan, marched against the Gujars after Jit Singh killed one of his followers. Partab Singh was defeated and killed. The same account states that Kumar Ali, the Kotwal of Delhi, also campaigned against Jit Singh and suffered defeat<ref>H. R. Nevill, Meerut District Gazetteer (1904) </ref>

<ref>H. R. Nevill, Meerut District Gazetteer (1904) </ref>

==rences==
{{reflist}}<ref name=":0">Hari Ram Gupta, History of the Sikhs: Sikh Domination of the Mughal Empire, 1764–1803, Volume III

H. R. Nevill, Meerut District Gazetteer (1904) </ref>
[[Category:History of Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Medieval India]]
[[Category:Hindu monarchs]]
<references /><ref>H. R. Nevill, Meerut District Gazetteer (1904) </ref>
<references /><ref name=":1">Hari Ram Gupta, History of the Sikhs: Sikh Domination of the Mughal Empire, 1764–1803, Volume III</ref>
<ref name=":1" />

Nain Singh Nagar

2026-10-09T09:58:24Z

Gianjatt:

Nain Singh Nagar

2026-10-09T09:57:19Z

Gianjatt: Adding a citation for historical information

Nain Singh Nagar

2026-10-09T09:52:54Z

Gianjatt:

Nain Singh Nagar

2026-10-09T09:49:22Z

Gianjatt: Adding a citation for historical information

User:2409:40D2:12EA:699A:9110:9BC5:EA69:213A/sandbox

2026-09-21T10:15:36Z

Gianjatt: Created page with "Battle near Jalalabad (1783)"

Battle near Jalalabad (1783)