Karnal
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- For other uses of Karnal see Karnal (disambiguation).
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Karnal
Haryana • India |
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| District(s) | Karnal |
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| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
Karnal pronunciation (Hindi: करनाल) is the headquarters of Karnal District, Haryana, India. Karnal is said to have been founded by the Kauravas at around the time of the Mahabharata epic for the king Karna, a key figure in the epic tale. It is 123 km from Delhi on the National Highway NH-1 (also called the GT Road) and 126 km from Chandigarh. Karnal is known for the manufacture of shoes, the production of basmati rice and for its many agricultural research institutions.
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[edit] Geography
Karnal is known for its lush greenery. It is roughly equidistant from New Delhi and Chandigarh and lies not only on the NH-1 road but also on the Delhi to Ambala railway line. The city is divided into several sectors, colonies and mohallas. Due to its geographical location several group housing companies like Sahara, Narsi Village, Palm Residency and Ansal Royale have built new luxury apartments and villas in the city.
[edit] History
The city of Karnal is said to have been founded by Raja Karna, a central character in the Mahabharata epic. An alternative view is that it is "the city of Daanvir Karan". It has been a walled town as far as its history can be traced and it may have had a citadel at one time.
Karnal sprang into prominence in 1739 when Nadir Shah defeated Muhammad Shah in the Battle of Karnal. Raja Gopal Singh of Jind seized Karnal in 1763, and the Marhattas established themselves at Karnal in 1785. Skirmishes however, followed between the Marhattas and the Sikhs. In 1795 the Marhattas finally wrested the city from Raja Bhag Singh of Jind and made it over to the British-Irish military commander George Thomas, who took part in the fight. Meanwhile Raja Gurdit Singh of Ladwa obtained possession of Karnal. It was captured by the British in 1805 and made over to Muhamdi Khan (Mandal). The British established a cantonment in 1811 but abandoned it after 30 years due to an outbreak of malaria. The fort which had been built by Raja Gajpat Singh of Jind, was taken over by the British and converted into a residence for Dost Muhammad Khan, Amir of Kabul. The fort was used as a jail,as quarters for native cavalry and as a poorhouse. In 1862, it was made over to the Education Department, when the district school was moved into it from the city.
[edit] Agricultural research
Karnal is a major centre of agriculture and dairy research with the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) Regional Station, CSSRI, Wheat Research Directorate, National Bureau of Animal Genetics Research, Regional Research Station Haryana Agriculture University and Sugarcane Breeding Institute being located in Karnal.
[edit] Flying club
It was at the Karnal Flying Club that Kalpana Chawla first became interested in flying. Ms Chawla went on to complete her engineering degree at Punjab Engineering College and later become the first Indian origin woman to fly in space.
[edit] Places of interest
- [Karan Lake][1],
- [Oasis Tourist Resort][2],
- Golf Club,
- Atal Park,
- Rose Garden,
- Karan Taal
- Devi Temple
- Cantonment Church Tower
- Old Fort
- Gurdwara Manji Sahib
