History of Jagadhri

Jagadhri is a very small town in terms of area in the state of Haryana. However, the city has its own story to tell and its own steps to reach the present status. Moderately populated like any other city of India, Jagadhri has a lot to provide employment to its residents. This city is one of the twin cities in the district Yamunanagar. It is believed that the distinguishing line between Jagadhri and its twin city are very vague. Hence many a times the city is assimilated within Yamunanagar city.

Historical Facts on Jagadhri

Foundation and Development of Jagadhri

As per the historical records shows the town has been built early in the 17th century. It is the older city between the twin cities of Yamunanagar. Jagadhri is incorporated in the Jat history of India, Jat being one of the important races in the Indian community. Jats and Sikhs were very disturbed at that time due to Nader Shah’s constant invasions. Jagadhri was also destroyed by Nader Shah in 1739. It was rebuilt by Sardar Roa Singh in 1783. Slowly the city started developing and metal industry became its core eventually.

Assimilation in British Empire of Jagadhri

Soon the industry developed to spread news within the nearby cities and other states. People started coming to this city for buying utensils and metal crafts. Naturally Jagadhri was a good confiscation for rulers. The city was given rulers who were mainly Jat in race. But during the British tenure, the situation changed. During the early 19th century Maharaja Ranjit Singh was ruling the northern states, especially Punjab, of India. British had conspired against the ruler as he did not allow them to enter the Sikh province.

Among numerous other Raj policies to confiscate empires from the then rulers, having no heir was one. The British did not allow any of their friendly states near the province of Ranjit Singh to adopt a child in case there was no heir to the throne. Jagadhri fell into the British hands succumbing to this rule. The last Indian ruler of this city was Maharani Daya Kunwari. She was wife to the ruler Sardar Bhagwan Singh. The city was assimilated within British Empire in 1832.

Partition Turmoil in Jagadhri

Like any other border states in India, Haryana also passed through the turmoils of partition and emigration. A lot of people shifted to Pakistan while another lot came to stay in India. Jagadhri was a place where the refugees sought employment in its metal industries. A commendable number of refugees were accounted during the partition in 1947. Many places and grounds in Jagadhri were allocated for camps and restoration places for migrants from Pakistan.

Later when India was free to conduct its own surveys and inspections, many relics from the Harappa Civilization have been found in and near the city.

Gurudwara Patshahi Dasvin in Jagadhri

The city has many religious foundations to be proud of. Among many, a Gurudwara dedicated to the tenth Guru of Sikh religion has been erected in Jagadhri. Guru Gobind Singh Jt has spent one night while travelling from Kapal Mochan to Kurukshetra in the room preserved inside the Gurudwara. The Gurudwara however was made in 1945 above the room where he stayed. It is being rebuilt currently.

First Post-Independence C&W Workshop in Jagadhri

History has enriched the past of Jagadhri and the people have been proud of the fact since ages. To add another feather to the historical relevance of Jagadhri in the Indian map, the Railway authorities founded its workshop here. The first post-independence C&W workshop of Indian Railway for Northern Railways has been founded in 1952 at Jagadhri. Presently it employs thousands and is the largest industry in this town.