Rewari

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Rewari: a city in Haryana, India

Overview
Rewari is a city and the district headquarters of Rewari district in the Indian state of Haryana. It lies in the south‑western part of Haryana, about 82 km from Delhi and 51 km from Gurgaon. Rewari is part of the Ahirwal region and falls within the National Capital Region (NCR).

Etymology
Legend says the name comes from an ancient figure named Rewati. A king named Rewat had a daughter called Rewati, and the village was once known as Rewa-Wadi (Rewa’s neighbourhood). Over time, Rewa-Wadi became Rewari.

History
Rewari has ancient fort ruins and a long martial history. Hem Chandra Vikramaditya, also known as Hemu, grew up here and ran a cannon foundry that supported armies in the region. In medieval times it was part of the Delhi Subah under the Mughal era. Local rulers included Rao Balkishan, Rao Gujarmal, Rao Mitrasen, and Rao Tula Ram. Rewari played a role in historical battles and uprisings, including the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The famous Battle of Rezang La (1962) near Ladakh is strongly linked to Rewari through the C Company of the Kumaon Regiment, whose soldiers were largely from Rewari. A memorial in Rewari honors them, and their story is widely remembered in local history.

Geography and climate
Rewari sits in a region influenced by the Aravalli hills near the Rajasthan border. It is part of the National Capital Region and lies at an elevation of about 245 meters (804 feet). Summers are very hot, often reaching around 46°C, while winters can be cold, occasionally near 0°C. The monsoon lasts roughly July to September, with an average annual rainfall of about 553 mm. Rewari’s location and climate shape its rural and urban life.

Demographics
As of 2011, Rewari city had a population of about 143,000. The literacy rate was around 78%, higher than the national average, with males making up about 53% of the population and females about 47%. The sex ratio was roughly 886 females per 1,000 males. The main languages are Hindi, Ahirwati, and Haryanvi. By 2023, the population was estimated to be around 163,000.

Civic amenities and health
Rewari has a civil hospital with about 50 beds (planned to expand to 100 beds) and a trauma center for highway accidents. Indian Railways runs a nearby hospital with about 20 beds. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rewari is planned to be Haryana’s first AIIMS, covering about 210 acres and aiming for around 750 beds, with MBBS and nursing programs planned.

Economy
Rewari’s economy blends traditional and modern industry. Historically, brass metalwork and brass crafts were famous, and the town was known for its brass industry and leather shoes (Jooti). Today, Rewari hosts a mix of cottage industries and small to mid-size manufacturing, including automotive components and nearby Dharuhera and Bawal industrial areas. Hero MotoCorp has a large plant in Dharuhera, and other major industries operate in the region.

Attractions
- Rewari Heritage Steam Locomotive Museum: a restored 19th-century steam locomotive shed dating back to 1893, preserving historic engines and railway gear.
- Tej Sarovar (Bada Talab): a historic pond built in 1801 by Rao Tej Singh, with nearby temples and a place of local gathering.
- Shri Dayanand Gaushala (World’s First Gaushala): established in 1879, one of the oldest gaushalas in the world, near Rao Nandram Sarovar.
- Solahrahi Talab: a historic 16‑way stepwell, now conserved by the government.
- Meerpur Haveli (Tej Singh Haveli): a large 18th‑century haveli with notable murals and architecture.
- Rani ki Dyodhi: a grand haveli built in 1675 by Rao Nand Ram; much of it was destroyed during the 1857 revolt, with later restoration by descendants.
- Rezang La War Memorial: memorials linking Rewari to the Battle of Rezang La, with inscriptions commemorating the soldiers who fought there.

Transport
- By air: the nearest major airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, about 75 km away by road and roughly 65 km by rail.
- By rail: Rewari is a major railway junction with connections to Delhi, Ajmer, Ringas, Alwar, Loharu, Hisar, Jhajjar, Rohtak, and more. The rail network around Rewari has been upgraded to broad gauge and is increasingly electrified. A new Rewari line is part of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, and a fast Delhi–Mumbai corridor is planned to improve regional travel.
- By road: Rewari is linked by several highways, including NH 48 (the Delhi–Jaipur corridor), NH 11, NH 352, NH 919, and NH 352W. State highways connect to nearby towns, and a bypass along NH 11 is under development to ease city traffic. A new four-lane road project and ongoing improvements aim to improve regional access. Regular buses run between Rewari, Delhi, and other towns in Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan.

Education
Rewari has one university and several colleges offering engineering, management, law, nursing, and other courses. Kendriya Vidyalaya (Central School) has operated in Rewari since 1980, and a Sainik School was begun nearby in 2008, with its permanent campus at Gothra Tappa Khori. The Meerpur centre of Rohtak University was upgraded to a state university in Rewari in 2013. Private colleges have expanded in recent years, though quality varies.

Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor
The Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) is a major infrastructural project connecting Delhi and Mumbai, with Rewari flagged as a link in the early phase. This corridor is expected to bring investment, faster movement of goods, and new development to the area.

Notable people
Rewari has produced several notable figures, including Hem Chandra Vikramaditya (Hemu), Rao Tula Ram, Rao Gopal Dev, Rao Bal Kishan, Rao Mitrasen, Rao Birender Singh, Santosh Yadav (mountaineer), Yogendra Yadav (psephologist and activist), and other leaders in Indian history and public life.

Rewari is a city with a blend of history, culture, and growing industry, positioned in Haryana’s Ahirwal region and linked to the broader Delhi region through road and rail.