As a separate state, Haryana came into being only on 1st November, 1966. Yet, geographically and historically it existed from time immorial. Much of her history did not come into lime light as Haryana was althrough a part of bigger provinces. During medieval period it was a part of Delhi subah, during 1803-1833 it was part of Bengal Presidency and then of North-West provinces till 1858. After the mutiny, it was a part of East Punjab.
The name of Haryana is traced to different sources. It might have derived from the words like “Hariyali” or “Haryal-Ban” meaning green fertile land and a land of dense forest respectively. The name might have been put in honour of Raja Harish Chandra of Oudh who first settled in this region. Some say that Hariyana might have come out of the word “Harana” meaning robbery prevalent once in the region. According to Rig Veda, Varuraja ruled over this tract and he used “Haryana” as a qualifying adjective. As per ancient literature, it is the corrupt form of “Haridhankya” in which name the area was known in the past. Others say that as the area in post-Mahabharat period was populated by “Ahir” group of people it might have been derived from the word “Abhirayan”. However, the most plausible and acceptable source from which the name Harayana might have come was from “Aryana” the home land of Aryans.
Antiquity of Haryana is established by references in Artharvaveda and the Brahmans. The Kurus named part of it as Kurukshetra. Nakul, one of the Pandav brothers said to have led expeditions to Rohitaka (Rohtak) and Sairiksa (Sirsa).