Rohtak district is an administrative district in the state of Haryana in northern India. Located in the south-eastern part of the state, it forms part of the National Capital Region (NCR) and lies on the Delhi–Hisar axis. The district headquarters is the city of Rohtak, which is also a major educational, judicial and commercial centre of Haryana.
| Key facts | |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| State | Haryana |
| Division | Rohtak |
| Headquarters | Rohtak |
| Region | National Capital Region (NCR) |
| Common languages | Hindi, Haryanvi |
Rohtak district lies on the flat alluvial plains of the Indo-Gangetic belt, with no major perennial rivers flowing through it. It is bordered by Jind district to the north, Sonipat district to the east, Jhajjar district to the south and Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri districts to the west. The terrain is largely agricultural, with wheat, mustard, sugarcane and bajra among the principal crops. The Western Yamuna Canal system supplies a significant portion of irrigation water.
The district is part of the Rohtak division, which also includes neighbouring districts of Haryana. It is administered by a Deputy Commissioner. For revenue and development purposes, Rohtak district is divided into tehsils and sub-tehsils, with blocks for rural development. Major towns in the district include Rohtak, Meham, Kalanaur and Sampla.
The Rohtak region has a long history of human settlement, with archaeological evidence linking parts of the area to the late Harappan and painted grey ware cultures. During the medieval period it lay along routes connecting Delhi with the western frontier. Under British rule it formed part of the Punjab Province, and the present district of Rohtak was created during that period. After the reorganisation of Punjab in 1966, Rohtak became part of the newly formed state of Haryana. Subsequent administrative reorganisations carved out Jhajjar district (1997) from the erstwhile larger Rohtak district.
The population of the district is predominantly Haryanvi-speaking, with Hindi as the official language. The Jat community has a strong demographic and cultural presence, alongside other communities including Brahmins, Punjabis, Scheduled Castes and Muslims. The district is largely Hindu by religion, with Sikh, Muslim and Jain minorities.
The economy of Rohtak district combines agriculture with industry, trade and services. Rohtak city hosts industrial estates with units in textiles, automotive components, food processing and engineering goods. The Maruti Suzuki R&D facility at Rohtak, established as one of the largest automotive testing and research centres in Asia, has added a significant industrial dimension to the district. Agriculture remains important in the rural areas, supported by canal irrigation and tubewells.
Rohtak is an important education hub in Haryana. Major institutions located in the district include:
Rohtak is well connected by rail and road. National Highway 9 (formerly NH-10) passes through the district, linking Delhi with Hisar and onward to Fazilka. The Rohtak Junction railway station is on the Delhi–Bathinda line and connects the city to Delhi, Bhiwani, Hisar and Jind. The Delhi Metro's Green Line connects the NCR network to the Bahadurgarh side, and rapid road connectivity links Rohtak to Delhi within an hour or two by expressway routes.
The district shares the broader Haryanvi cultural tradition, with folk music, ragni and saang performances, and traditional sports such as wrestling and kabaddi. Rohtak has produced several prominent wrestlers and athletes who have represented India at international competitions. Local fairs and religious sites, including the Asthal Bohar math, are notable cultural and religious landmarks.