Haryana /ˌhɑriˈɑːnə/ is a
state in India. Constituted in 1966, it is one of two newly created states carved out of the greater
Punjab province as a means of creating a stronger national identity. It has been a part of the
Kuru region in
North India.
The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the
apabhramsha writer
Vibudh Shridhar.
It is bordered by
Punjab and
Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by
Rajasthan to the west and south. The river
Yamuna defines its eastern border with
Uttarakhand and
Uttar Pradesh. Haryana also surrounds
Delhi on three sides, forming the northern, western and southern borders of Delhi. Consequently, a large area of Haryana is included in the
National Capital Region. The capital of the state is
Chandigarh which is administered as a
union territory and is also the capital of Punjab.