Rohtak at a Glance
Rohtak is a city and the administrative headquarters of the Rohtak district in the Indian state of Haryana. It lies 70 kilometres (43 mi) northwest of New Delhi, just 40–45 km from the Delhi Border and 250 kilometres (160 mi) south of the state capital Chandigarh on NH 9 (old NH 10). Rohtak forms a part of the National Capital Region (NCR), which enables access to cheaper loans for infrastructure development from the NCR Planning Board.
As per the 2011 census, Rohtak is the sixth most populous city in Haryana with a population of 417,355 and a literacy rate of 84.08%.
The city's name is of Indo-Aryan origin and is recorded in the Vedas. It was founded by the Vedic people as Rohtashgarh. The Jats and Rajputs of Rohtak, under Khokhar’s leadership, fought against Mahmud Gaznavi and later against Mohammad Gauri in 1206 AD. The evolution of the name is traced as "Rohītaka-kula → Rohitaka → Rohtak". Michael Witzel notes this aligns with the settlement existing around 500 BC. The name may also derive from the "Rohitaka" tree, known locally for its strong timber.
The ruins of the ancient town at Khokrakot suggest that Rohtak is as old as the Indus Valley Civilization, as findings there match typical Indus sites. It is also identified with Rohitika from the Mahabharata and was possibly the capital of Bahudhanyaka, the kingdom of Yaudheyas. Ancient trade routes connected Rohitika to Taxila and Sakala.
During the Kushan period, the Khushana Pillar Capital with winged lions and riders was discovered, resembling the lion capital at the British Museum in London. Numerous ancient coins, moulds, and seals have been unearthed at Khokrakot, highlighting its importance as a trade and cultural hub up to the 10th century AD.
Nickname(s): Heart of Haryana
| Location | Rohtak, Haryana, India |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 28.8909°N 76.5796°E |
| Country | India |
| State | Haryana |
| District | Rohtak |
| Government Body | Municipal Corporation of Rohtak |
| Member of Parliament | Dr. Arvind Sharma (BJP) |
| Member of Legislative Assembly | Bharat Bhushan Batra (INC) |
| Mayor | Manmohan Goel |
| Area | 139.26 km² |
| Area Rank | 5 |
| Elevation | 220 m (720 ft) |
| Population (2011) | 417,355 |
| Rank | 119 |
| Density | 3,300/km² |
| Languages (Official) | Hindi, Punjabi, English |
| Time Zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 124001 |
| Telephone Code | 91, 1262 251515 |
| Vehicle Registration | HR 12 (Private), HR 46 (Commercial) |
| Major Highways | NH10, NH71, NH71A, NH709 & SH18 |
| Nearest Cities | Jhajjar, Sonipat, New Delhi |
| Railway Stations | Rohtak Jn, Bohar Jn |
| Vidhan Sabha Constituency | Rohtak |
| City Planning Agency | Municipal Corporation of Rohtak |
| Civic Agency | Municipal Corporation of Rohtak |
| Climatic Region | Köppen |
| Avg. Summer Temperature | 48 °C (118 °F) |
| Avg. Winter Temperature | 0 °C (32 °F) |
| Website | mcrohtak.gov.in |
Art and Culture
Rohtak preserves a rich heritage of Indian and Mughal architecture. Sites include Baba Mast Nath Math, Gokaran, Kiloi temple, havelis with ornate facades, carved wooden doors, sandstone pillars, and mosques with intricate stucco work. Several dharamshalas with statues of Radha and Krishna, and traditional temple spires also reflect the city’s cultural history. The present Monastery was founded by Baba Mast Nath in 1731.
Medieval Times
A centuries-old fort once stood in Quila Mohalla, built by Shekhs of Yaman under Kazi Sultan Muhammad Surkh during the Ghori Dynasty. In 1400, Delhi’s Sultan Mahmud Tughlaq stationed Malik Idrees and Mubariz Khan there. The fort was besieged by Sayad Khizer Khan in 1410, who succeeded only after a six-month siege.
British Period (1800–1947)
Rohtak was among the earliest organised districts under the British, with officers residing there since 1810. The All Saints’ Church, completed in 1867, stands as a reminder of this era. Built by Maj. Feindala in memory of his daughter Athel Nora, it was supported by JF Bruster and RF Kalenal. The old cemetery near the mini secretariat holds 180-year-old tombstones, including that of DC Moore, though now neglected and overgrown.
Geography and Climate
Rohtak experiences extreme climate variation. Average annual rainfall is 458.5 mm (18.0 inches). Winters (Nov–Jan) rarely fall below freezing, while summers (Apr–Jul) range from 30–40 °C, peaking at 48 °C. The climate is similar to Delhi’s, given the proximity of only 70 km.
Rainfall
Annual rainfall is about 58 cm, unevenly distributed, decreasing from southeast to southwest. About 80% of rainfall occurs from July to September, with some additional showers from western disturbances in winter. Agriculture depends heavily on canal irrigation and tubewells due to low rainfall.
Hydrology
Rohtak’s development relies significantly on groundwater, found in semi-confined to unconfined aquifers. Dugwells tap unconfined aquifers, while about 22,000 shallow tubewells access semi-confined aquifers across the district.