Rakhigarhi, one of the world’s oldest known centres of the Indus–Saraswati civilisation, is set to receive unprecedented national and international attention after the Union Government earmarked ₹500 crore in the Central Budget for its development. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the allocation marks a historic step towards transforming the ancient site into a globally recognised cultural and tourism destination, reflecting India’s renewed confidence in celebrating its civilisational legacy.
Addressing a large gathering at the second State-Level Rakhigarhi Mahotsav, the Chief Minister underlined that both the Centre and the Haryana government are working in close coordination to ensure that Rakhigarhi secures its rightful place on the national and international tourism map. He said the state government is taking sustained and concrete measures to preserve, showcase and promote the historical, cultural and archaeological significance of the site, which stands as a living testimony to India’s ancient urban excellence.
During the event, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Harappa Knowledge Centre, envisioned as a hub for research, education and public engagement on the Indus Valley civilisation. The multi-day Rakhigarhi Mahotsav features craft exhibitions, heritage runs, workshops, thematic exhibitions, cultural performances, traditional rural sports, quizzes, rangoli displays and photography competitions. The Chief Minister personally visited various activity zones, interacting with artists and participants. He was accompanied by Heritage and Tourism Minister Dr Arvind Sharma, Cabinet Minister Ranbir Gangwa and local MLA Vinod Bhayana.
Chief Minister Saini announced that all 13 demands submitted by the Rakhigarhi gram panchayat would be forwarded to the concerned departments for early implementation. Similarly, the five demands raised by the Rakhishahpur panchayat will also be addressed expeditiously. As a mark of support for local development, he announced a grant of ₹21 lakh each for Rakhigarhi and Rakhishahpur villages.
Highlighting the historical significance of the site, the Chief Minister said Rakhigarhi occupies a special place in human history as a major centre of the Harappan civilisation, which flourished thousands of years ago. Archaeological excavations have revealed that Rakhigarhi was once a large industrial and trading hub, characterised by advanced town planning, sophisticated drainage systems and scientific water management. He said these discoveries reaffirm that ancient India possessed deep scientific knowledge, social organisation and urban planning capabilities that were far ahead of their time.
The Chief Minister noted that the Indus–Saraswati civilisation sends a powerful message to the world about India’s deep-rooted, rational and progressive civilisational foundations. He said it is a matter of immense pride for Haryana that one of the largest and most developed ancient urban centres of the world is located within the state.
Referring to the broader national context, Saini said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is moving forward with renewed self-belief, drawing strength from its cultural heritage. He said landmark initiatives such as the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Mahakal Lok in Ujjain, the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya and the focused development of sites like Rakhigarhi reflect a new India that honours its past while shaping a confident future.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the Haryana government is fully committed to developing Rakhigarhi as an international tourism and research centre. He said world-class archaeological museums, research institutions, tourist amenities and modern infrastructure are being developed to attract visitors and scholars from across the globe. These efforts, he added, will not only showcase India’s ancient civilisation but also generate employment opportunities for local youth and strengthen the regional economy.
Touching upon the social insights emerging from archaeological findings, Saini said the excavations at Rakhigarhi indicate that women in ancient society enjoyed respect and equality. He linked this legacy to the achievements of present-day daughters of Haryana, who continue to excel in sports, education, science, administration and the armed forces. He said the state government remains committed to women’s empowerment through focused policies on education, safety and economic self-reliance.
On heritage conservation, the Chief Minister said Haryana is home to nearly 100 sites of historical and archaeological importance identified by the Archaeological Survey of India. Prominent among them are Farmana in Rohtak, Mitathal in Bhiwani, Balu in Kaithal and Banawali in Fatehabad. Special projects are underway to conserve and develop these sites, with sustained efforts being made to include Rakhigarhi in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. He said an ultra-modern museum has already been constructed at Rakhigarhi at a cost of ₹22 crore, while several other heritage structures across the state have been declared protected monuments.
Heritage and Tourism Minister Dr Arvind Sharma, addressing the gathering, described the event as historic, noting the participation of artists from across the country. He said the nearly 7,000-year-old Rakhigarhi civilisation showed the world the principles of modern urban living long before contemporary times. He also highlighted key policy decisions of the state government under the Chief Minister’s leadership, including record sugarcane pricing for farmers, and said special programmes were being organised to commemorate Veer Bal Diwas and inspire future generations.
Public Works Minister Ranbir Gangwa, in his address, expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for fulfilling long-pending regional demands, including granting district status to Hansi. He said Haryana is progressing steadily under the current leadership and aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047.
Welcoming the dignitaries, Heritage and Tourism Department Commissioner and Secretary Dr Amit Aggarwal said Rakhigarhi is not merely an archaeological site but a living symbol of India’s continuous and advanced civilisation. He said the Rakhigarhi Mahotsav aims to take this heritage to the masses through cultural expression, academic dialogue and community participation, ensuring that the legacy of the Harappan era finds its rightful place on the international stage.
