Kaithal

From Jatland Wiki

Map of Kaithal District

Kaithal was earlier a part of district Karnal and in 1973 became part of the newly created district of Kurukshetra. Kaithal became a new district of Haryana on 1st November, 1989. The district headquarter is situated in Kaithal town. Other smaller towns are Guhla, Pundri and Cheeka. The total area of Kaithal district is 2,389 sq km and its population is 8,20,000. Kaithal is known for intensive cultivation of Rice and wheat with a well developed irrigation infrastructure.

History

Kaithal was founded by descendants of Desu Singh Jat.

Formerly, Kaithal was known as 'Kapisthala', or 'Abode of Monkeys'. Vaman Purana says : "Kapisthaleti vikhyatam sarvapatakanashanam yasmina sthitaha swayam devovridha kedara samgjijitaha"

Meaning: The destroyer of all devilish deeds, the famous Kapisthala sanctum is here because Lord Vridhakedara himself resides in it.

It is also believed that the city was founded by Pandu putra Yudhisthira. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna had constructed nine kunds to appease the 'navgrahas' of the Pandavas during the Mahabharata war. King Yudhishthir is believed to have prayed here with Lord Krishna here.

In 1767 it fell into the hands of the Sikh chieftain, Bhai Desu Singh, whose descendants, the bhais of Kaithal, ranked among the most powerful Cis-Sutlej states. Their territories lapsed to the British in 1843. There remain the fort of the bhais, and several Muslim tombs of the 13th century and later.

Razia Sultana, the first woman ruler of India, died here.