Overview
Rewari is a city and municipal council in the southern part of the Indian state of Haryana. It serves as the administrative headquarters of Rewari district and falls within the Gurugram division. Situated in the Ahirwal region, the city is historically associated with the Yadav (Ahir) community and is known for its brassware industry, its old steam locomotive shed, and its role as a railway junction in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Haryana |
| Division | Gurugram |
| District | Rewari |
| Region | Ahirwal, National Capital Region |
| Civic body | Municipal Council, Rewari |
| Languages | Hindi, Haryanvi |
Geography
Rewari lies in the semi-arid plains of southern Haryana, close to the borders with Rajasthan and the Delhi NCT. The terrain is largely flat with sandy patches characteristic of the fringes of the Thar region. The city is connected by National Highway 48 (the Delhi–Jaipur corridor via the older alignment) and by the Delhi–Rewari–Jaipur railway route.
History
Local tradition links the founding of Rewari to a princess named Rewati, with the settlement said to have ancient origins. During the medieval period the area came under the Delhi Sultanate and later the Mughal Empire. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Rewari emerged as a notable centre under the Rao chiefs of the Ahirwal region.
Rao Tula Ram, a prominent leader during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, was associated with Rewari and led resistance against the British East India Company in the surrounding area. Following the suppression of the revolt, his estate was confiscated. He is remembered as a major figure of the freedom movement in the region, and several institutions in and around Rewari are named after him.
Rewari was historically part of larger administrative units in colonial Punjab and later the Punjab state of independent India. After the formation of Haryana in 1966, Rewari became part of the new state. Rewari district was carved out as a separate district on 1 November 1989.
Economy and industry
The city has a long-standing reputation for brass and metalware manufacturing, an industry that earned it the nickname of a brass city in earlier writings. Other economic activities include light engineering, auto components, and trading, supported by its proximity to the industrial belts of Manesar, Dharuhera and Bhiwadi (in Rajasthan). Agriculture in the surrounding rural blocks centres on bajra (pearl millet), mustard and wheat.
Transport
Rewari Junction is an important station on the Northern Railway and serves as a junction for lines towards Delhi, Rohtak, Hisar, Jaipur and Loharu. The city is home to the Rewari Steam Locomotive Shed, established in 1893, which is one of the few preserved steam loco facilities in India and operates as a heritage museum maintaining vintage engines used for special heritage runs.
Road connectivity is provided by NH 48 and a network of state highways. The city is served by Haryana Roadways bus services and is linked to Gurugram and Delhi by frequent road and rail traffic.
Education
Rewari hosts a number of schools, colleges, and technical institutes. The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi has developed a campus at Jhajjar–Rewari area, and the district is known for producing a large number of recruits to the Indian Armed Forces, particularly from the Ahirwal belt.
Culture
The local culture reflects Haryanvi traditions, with folk music, ragini singing, and wrestling (kushti) being popular. Religious sites in and around the city include old temples, mosques and a historic baoli (stepwell) associated with the medieval period.
Related topics
- Rewari district
- Haryana
- Gurugram division
- Ahirwal
- Rao Tula Ram
- Rewari Steam Locomotive Shed
- National Capital Region
References
- Wikidata: Q1949364
- Government of Haryana, Rewari district administration
- Indian Railways, Northern Railway zone