Hisar (city)

Hisar  pronunciation  (Hindi: ‍हिसार), previously spelled Hissar, is the administrative headquarters of Hisar district in the state of Haryana in northwestern India. It is located 164 kilometres to the west of New Delhi, India's capital, and has been identified as a counter-magnet city for the National Capital Region to attract migrants and develop as an alternative centre of growth to Delhi. As of June 2012, Hisar is India's largest galvanized iron manufacturing city. Due to presence of a large steel industry, it is also known as "The City of Steel".

The city was ruled by several major powers, including the Mauryans in the 3rd century BC, the Tughlaqs in the 14th century, the Mughals in the 16th century and the British in the 19th century. After India achieved independence, it was unified with the state of Punjab. When the Punjab was divided in 1966, Hisar became part of Haryana.

The current name was given in 1354 AD, as Hisar-e-Firoza by Firuz Shah Tughlaq, the Sultanate of Delhi from 1351 to 1388. The Ghaggar and Drishadvati rivers once flowed through the city but they have now changed their course. Hisar has a continental climate, with very hot summers and relatively cool winters. The most commonly spoken languages are Hindi, Haryanvi and Bagri.