Haryana

Haryana surrounds Delhi on three sides and has grown into one of India's most prosperous states, combining rich farmland with booming cities such as Gurugram and Faridabad. It shares its capital, Chandigarh, with Punjab.

The state is steeped in legend: Kurukshetra is the battlefield of the Mahabharata where the Bhagavad Gita is said to have been delivered, and Panipat saw three decisive battles of Indian history.

Haryana was part of the Punjab state until 1 November 1966, when it was created as a separate Hindi-speaking state following the reorganisation of Punjab. The region's history goes back to Harappan sites such as Rakhigarhi, one of the largest Indus Valley settlements.

Most of Haryana lies on the Indo-Gangetic plain, with the Shivalik hills in the north around Panchkula and Morni, and the Aravalli hills in the south. The Yamuna forms its eastern boundary with Uttar Pradesh, and the Ghaggar flows through the north.

Haryana is a major producer of wheat, rice and milk and was central to the Green Revolution. Gurugram is a hub for IT, finance and multinational companies, and the state is one of India's largest manufacturers of cars and two-wheelers.

Hindi is the official language and Haryanvi is widely spoken. Haryana is famous for wrestling and has produced many Olympic and Commonwealth medal winners in wrestling and boxing. Folk traditions include ragini singing and the Phag dance, and the Surajkund International Crafts Mela near Faridabad is held every February.