Ancient History of Haryana | HPSC Preparation: All subjects - HPSC (Haryana) PDF Download

Haryana’s Ancient Past

• Haryana is considered the cradle of Indian Civilization with a history dating back to the Vedic Age.
• The legendary Bharata dynasty, which named India as Bharat, originated in Haryana.
• The Mahabharata, an epic battle between the Kauravas and Pandavas, took place in Kurukshetra, Haryana.
• Other names for Haryana, such as Bahudhanyaka and Hariyanka, suggest abundance of food and vegetation.

Proto-Historic Haryana

• Pre-Harappan people settled at Banawali in the 3rd millennium B.C.
• They displayed advanced town planning, building houses with sun-dried or kiln-baked bricks.
• Skills included pottery, copper smelting, and various ornamental decorations.

Harappan Civilization and Haryana

• Harappans, around 2300-1200 B.C., had prominent settlements at Banawali and Rakhigarhi.
• Their towns were well-planned with a classical chessboard pattern, streets, defense walls, and sanitation.
• The late Harappan culture (1700-1500 B.C.) marked the decline of the Harappan civilization.

Vedic Age and Haryana

• Aryans settled in Haryana along the Saraswati and Drisavati rivers.
• Rigvedic Rishis viewed the world positively, considering it fit for virtuous life under benevolent gods.
• Aryan influence expanded east and south, leading to the conquest of northern India.

Mahabharata and Later Developments

• The Mahabharata is a compilation over centuries, with the historic battle estimated between 1400 and 1000 B.C.
• Sacrifice became central in worship during the later Vedic period.
• The Puranas, mytho-historical literature, contributed to Indian society and culture.

Scythians and Parthians in Haryana

• Scythians and Persians influenced Haryanvi food and drink habits.
• The Kushana dominions extended from Varanasi to Central Asia, making Haryana part of a Central Asiatic empire.

Haryana: The Gateway of North India

• Haryana's strategic location led to numerous wars as "The Gateway of North India."
• Successive invasions by Huns, Turks, and Afghans shaped the region's history.
• After the Gupta empire's downfall, the Huns established their supremacy, followed by the rule of Harshvardhan.

Huns in Haryana

• The Huns, initially invaders, became part of the Rajputs, with the sub-caste Hoon persisting in the region.

Origin of the Name "Haryana"

• In ancient times, the region now known as Haryana was referred to by various names, including Brahmavarta, Aryavarta, and Brahomoupdesa.
• These names are associated with the emergence of Lord Brahma on the land, the abode of Aryas, and the propagation of Vedic cultures and rituals.

Matrix of Creation and Abundance:

• Professor H.A. Phadke notes Haryana's significant contribution to composite Indian culture.
• The region has been hailed as the matrix of creation, heaven on earth, with names like Bahudhanyaka and Hariyanka suggesting abundance of food supply and vegetation.

Historical Inscriptions:

• The region was historically known as Hariyanak, as seen in an inscription from Bohar village during the reign of Balban in 1337 Vikram Samvat.
• The term "Haryana" was later inscribed on a stone during the rule of Sultan Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq.

Diverse Interpretations:

• Scholars like Dharanidhar and Girish Chander Avasthi provide different interpretations, linking the name to worship of Hari (Lord Indra) and its usage in Rigveda with the name of a king (Vasuraja).

Archaeological Remains in Haryana

• Various archaeological sites in Haryana, such as Naurangabad, Mitathal, Kunal, Agroha, Rakhigarhi, Rukhi, and Banawali, show evidence of pre-Harappan and Harappan cultures.

Excavation Findings:

• Notable findings include the earliest evidence of garlic in Balu (Fatehabad), barley and a terracotta figure of a plough in Banawali (Fatehabad), a graffiti of a dancing girl resembling Mohenjodaro in Bhurrana (Fatehabad), and more.

Haryana's Historical Significance

• Haryana, along the banks of the River Saraswati, is where the Vedic Civilization originated and matured.
• The Vedas were written here as Aryans chanted their sacred Mantras.

Mahabharata Period:

• B.B. Lal's archaeological discoveries, including Painted Grey Ware at Kurukshetra, Pehowa, Amin, and Panipat, provide evidence for the pre-Buddha history associated with the Mahabharata period.
• Places mentioned in the Mahabharata, such as Prithudaka, Tilprastha, Panprastha, and Sonprastha, are in Haryana.

Mahabharata War and Bhagavad-Gita:

• The Mahabharata War, around 900 BC, brought worldwide fame to the region.
• It was in Kurukshetra that Lord Krishna preached the Bhagavad-Gita at the start of the battle, and Ved Vyas wrote the Mahabharata in Sanskrit.