When Delhi ruled Haryana!

While going through ancient names of Delhi one may come across names like Dhilli, Dhillika, Yoginipura and Mihirapuri.   Such names have been found written over various inscriptions at different places.  Such inscriptions also reveal that Dhilli was situated within Hariyanaka or Hariyana or Haritana. A conclusion could be derived about Dhillika being an important town and the capital of Haryana. Dhilli is believed to be the first medieval city of Delhi.  Dhilli was founded by the Tomars. An inscription dated back to 1170 AD in Bijola, district Udaipur refers to the name Dhillika. Further the Palam Baoli inscription dated back to 1276 AD written during the reign of Ghayasuddin Balban mentions a town named Dhilli in the so called country Hariyanaka; another inscription now placed in the Red Fort Museum also refers to the city of Dhillika in the country of Hariyana. This inscription dated 1328 AD relates to the reign of Muhammad Tughlaq. An inscription dated 1316 AD found in Ladnu, Rajasthan, too mentions the city of Dhilli in Hariyana country. Another ancient name Yoginipura along with Dhilli has been mentioned in the Palam Baoli inscription.  The two names of Delhi find mention in Jain Pattavalis. The name Yoginipura perhaps came in conversation due to Yogini or Yogmaya temple situated at Mehrauli.  Another name Mihirapuri might have become famous because of a sun temple situated in the area at that point of time.  There is no difference of opinion over the fact that the modern name Delhi has been derived from the ancient names such as Delhi, Dilly and Dhilli found on inscriptions. Thus, it can be concluded that Dhilli used to be a part of the than Haryana and could have been its capital too.

Delhi has been a capital of various kingdoms and dynasties for the last many centuries. The city has continuously been  inhabited since 6th century BC and had then been known as Indraprastha, the capital city of  the Pandavas in  the Mahabharat.  Mughal emperor Shahjahan built the walled city of Shahajhanabad on the bank of river Yamuna in 1639.  The city came under the direct control of the Britishers 1n 1858 and it was made a district of the then United Punjab and Ambala division. The district had Delhi Tehsil and parts of Mehrauli in it. It was ruled by the Commissioner till 1950.  Sixty five villages of Meerut district were transferred to Delhi in 1915 to make these villages part of Shahdara.  A number of villages from Punjab; present day Haryana were also merged in to Delhi.  That is why a number of acts enacted in the then Punjab in different years are still applicable to Delhi. The Britishers declared Delhi as their capital in 1911 and shifted in 1912. They ventured to construct the new capital in the present day Civil Lines area but had to retreat fearing floods in the low lying parts.  Ultimately they conceived New Delhi, which was completed in 1931 as per the plan prepared by Edward Lutyens. On partition in 1947, Delhi witnessed influx of seven lakh refugees from West Punjab in 1947. Consequently, Delhi’s population increased to touch the figure of 17 lakh.

The culture and traditions of Haryana are similar to Delhi as the geographical boundaries are well knit and are inseparable. The dialect, accent and professions in the rural areas are also similar.  This also makes a point to establish that Delhi would have been a part of Haryana at a point of time. The state of Haryana came into existence on 1st November 1966; it was carved out of Punjab to create separate Punjabi   and Hindi speaking states.  The new state was assured grant of a substantial amount to develop its capital and to stay in the common capital for a definite period along with Punjab.  Haryana continued its claim over Chandigarh as per recommendations of Shah Commission. Punjab too never left its claim of Chandigarh. A fierce agitation paralysed both the states during the 1970s. Buses from Haryana which were bound to enter Chandigarh via Punjab were not allowed to cross. Bansi Lal, the then CM of Haryana took the initiative of getting made a seaprate route for the common capital. A proposal to divide Chandigarh and bury the hatchet was opposed by both the states.  Agitators from Haryana raised slogans like, ‘Chandigarh hamara hai, sare ka sara hai.’ Darshan Singh Pheruman of Punjab and AS Mann from Haryana sat on an indefinite fast. While Pheruman sacrificed his life, Mann left in between after an assurance. 

Another proposal which was talked about in those days suggested that Chandigarh  could be given in entirety to Punjab and Purani Dilli for Haryana to operate its capital from. A number of politicians agreed to it  but could not react in open.  Haryana’s capital is a political issue and it is going to stay the same way. Any how one has to believe that Delhi was once part of Haryana. Keeping in view that facts given above and proximity of Delhi with Haryana, the city can suitably be the seat of power for the state.