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History of Rohtak District – Structured Chronology

Origin of the Name “Rohtak”

The name Rohtak is believed to have evolved from Rohtashgarh, the name associated with ancient ruined sites located near the present city. According to tradition, the town was founded by Raja Rohtash.

Another theory connects the name with the Roherra tree (Tecomella undulata), known in Sanskrit as Rohitaka. It is believed that the area was once covered with forests of Rohitaka trees, which gave the region its name.

A further reference appears in the Mahabharata, where Rohitaka is mentioned in connection with the military campaign of Nakula, one of the Pandava brothers.

Chronological Administrative History of Rohtak District

Mughal Period

Reign of Akbar (16th Century)

  • Mughal Emperor Akbar and his finance minister Todar Mal divided North India into administrative units.
  • The present Rohtak region formed part of the Suba of Delhi.
  • It fell within the Sarkars of Delhi and Hisar Firuqa.
  • Due to its proximity to Delhi, the region was often granted as military jagirs to nobles.
  • Rajput, Brahman, Afghan, and Baluch chiefs controlled the area at different times.

Decline of Mughal Authority (18th Century)

After the Death of Bahadur Shah-I (1707–1712)

  • Mughal authority weakened rapidly after Aurangzeb’s successor, Bahadur Shah-I.
  • Rohtak frequently changed hands among:
    • Rajputs
    • Jats
    • Sikhs
    • Marathas

Rise of George Thomas

  • George Thomas, associated with Maratha leader Appa Kandirao, established authority at Hansi.
  • His control later extended to Meham and Rohtak.
  • Eventually, combined regional forces led by Sindhia defeated him.

British Expansion

Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon (30 December 1803)

  • The Marathas ceded territories west of the Yamuna to the British.
  • Rohtak area came under British administration as part of the North-Western Provinces.

British Frontier Policy

The British did not want direct control over all territories beyond the Yamuna. Therefore, they granted lands to loyal chiefs to create buffer states between British territory and Sikh power.

Major Grants:

  • Jhajjar granted to Nawab Nijabat Ali Khan
  • Bahadurgarh granted to Nawab Ismail Khan
  • Gohana and Kharkhoda-Mandothi granted as jagirs to rulers of Jind and Kaithal
  • Several villages and estates granted to loyal nobles and chiefs

Formation of Rohtak District

1809

  • Nawab of Dujana surrendered much of the territory granted to him because it became difficult to manage.

1818–1820

  • After the deaths of Bhai Lal Singh and Raja Bagh Singh, their estates reverted to British control.

1820

  • Hisar district was created.
  • Beri and Meham-Bhiwani areas were included in Hisar.
  • Northern parts went to Panipat.

1824 – Creation of Rohtak District

Rohtak district was officially formed with the following tehsils:

  1. Rohtak
  2. Gohana
  3. Kharkhoda-Mandothi
  4. Beri
  5. Meham-Bhiwani

Boundaries:

  • East: Bahadurgarh
  • South: Jhajjar

Administrative Changes under British Rule

1832

  • Rohtak came under regular North Indian administrative regulations.
  • The Delhi Resident became Commissioner.

1841

  • Rohtak district was abolished.
  • Gohana transferred to Panipat.
  • Remaining tehsils merged with Delhi.

1842

  • Rohtak district was restored.

After the Revolt of 1857

13 April 1858

  • Rohtak and Jhajjar districts were transferred from the North-Western Provinces to the Punjab Province.

1860–1861 Reorganization

Major changes included:

  • Jhajjar district abolished
  • Some territories awarded to loyal Phulkian chiefs
  • Jhajjar tehsil merged into Rohtak
  • Meham tehsil abolished temporarily
  • Territorial adjustments made with Delhi and Hisar

These changes were completed by 1 July 1861.

Late British Period

1884

  • Hisar Division abolished.
  • Rohtak district transferred to Delhi Division.

At this stage, Rohtak district had four tehsils:

  1. Rohtak
  2. Gohana
  3. Jhajjar
  4. Sampla

1910

  • Sampla tehsil abolished for administrative economy.
  • Its areas merged into Rohtak and Jhajjar tehsils.

1912

  • Delhi separated from Punjab.
  • Rohtak district attached to Ambala Division.

Post-Independence Reorganization

1948

  • Dujana State merged into Jhajjar tehsil.
  • Nahar sub-tehsil created.

District Structure

Rohtak district now included:

  • Rohtak
  • Sonipat
  • Jhajjar
  • Gohana

Sub-tehsils:

  • Nahar
  • Meham

Modern Administrative Changes

1973

  • Bahadurgarh tehsil created from Jhajjar.
  • Meham upgraded from sub-tehsil to tehsil.
  • Sonipat district formed by bifurcating Rohtak.
  • Gohana and Sonipat transferred to Sonipat district.
  • Kosli tehsil created.
  • Nahar sub-tehsil abolished.
  • Matanhail sub-tehsil created.

1989

  • Gohana tehsil reattached to Rohtak district temporarily.

1992

  • Sub-tehsils created:
    • Badli
    • Matanhail
    • Beri
  • Later, Badli sub-tehsil abolished.
  • Gohana again transferred to Sonipat district.

Formation of Present Rohtak District

July 1997

  • Jhajjar district was carved out from Rohtak district.
  • Jhajjar and Bahadurgarh tehsils became part of the new Jhajjar district.

Present Rohtak District Consists of:

  1. Rohtak Tehsil
  2. Meham Tehsil

The current establishment of Rohtak District is as follows:

Name of District Sub-Division Sub-Tehsil Tehsil
Rohtak 1. Rohtak

2. Meham

3. Sampla

 Lakhan Majra 1. Rohtak

2. Meham

3. Sampla

4. Kalanaur

 

Block Panchayat Village
Rohtak 48 59
Meham 34 24
Sampla 21 24
Kalanaur 24 27
Lakhan Majra 13 13
Total 140 147