Haryana, formed in 1966 from East Punjab, thrives as India’s 21st-largest state, spanning 44,212 sq mi. Chandigarh serves as its capital alongside Punjab, while Faridabad claims the populace. Gurgaon shines as a financial and tech nucleus. With 32 SEZs boosting its economy, Haryana stands as the 13th largest in India, boasting a GSDP of ₹7.65 trillion and ranking 11th in human development. Rich in heritage and biodiversity, it’s a tourism hotspot, framed by Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and the Yamuna River, while enveloping Delhi on three sides, vitalizing the National Capital Region’s growth and strategy.
Rakhigarhi and Bhirrana, nestled in Haryana, harbor remnants of the Indus Valley Civilization, boasting paved roads, intricate drainage, rainwater storage, terracotta and metal craftsmanship. Haryana’s historical significance spans the Vedic era, hosting the Kuru Kingdom and the speculated location of Manu’s Brahmavarta. The region encompassing Dhosi Hill, Rewari, and Mahendragarh was a hub for revered Rishis who contributed significantly to Hindu scriptures like Vedas and Puranas. Manusmriti denotes Manu as the ruler of Brahmavarta, a state flourishing 10,000 years ago amid the ancient Sarasvati and Drishadwati rivers, shaping the essence of present-day Hindu beliefs and scriptures.
As per the 2011 census, Haryana, with a population of 25,351,462, is primarily Hindu (87.46%), while Muslims (7.03%) are concentrated mainly in Nuh district. Sikhs (4.91%) form the significant minority, residing largely in districts adjacent to Punjab like Sirsa, Jind, Fatehabad, Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Ambala, and Panchkula. The state’s official language is Hindi, but various regional languages or dialects exist. Haryanvi dominates the central and eastern areas, while Hindi and Punjabi prevail in the northeast, Bagri in the west, Deshwali in the east, and Ahirwati, Mewati, and Braj Bhasha in the south.
Haryana, ranked 14th with a 12.96% CAGR between 2012-17, projected a 2017-18 GSDP of US$95 billion. Its economy diversified into services (52%), industries (30%), and agriculture (18%). Services encompass real estate, financial/professional services (45%), trade/hospitality (26%), government employment (15%), and transport/logistics (14%). Notably, Gurgaon led in IT growth, infrastructure, and startup ecosystem nationally. Industries comprised manufacturing (69%), construction (28%), utilities (2%), and mining (1%), boasting significant contributions to car (67%), motorcycle (60%), tractor (50%), and refrigerator (50%) production in India. Haryana’s 7 operational SEZs and 23 approved ones, strategically positioned along key industrial corridors, notably the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor, fostered growth in both service and industrial sectors.
