The city of Karnal, said to have been founded by Raja Karna, of the Mahabharta fame. In 1739 Nadir Shah defeated Muhammad Shah at Karnal. Raja Gopal Singh of Jind seized Karnal in 1863, and the Marhattas established themselves at Karnal in 1785. Skirmishes however, followed between the Marhattas and the Sikhs. In 1795 the Marhattas finally wrested it from Raja Bhag Singh of Jind and made it over to the George Thomas, who took part in the fight. Meanwhile Raja Gurdit Singh of Ladwa obtained possession of Karnal. It was captured by the British in 1805 and made over to Muhamdi Khan (Mandal). Karnal, on being formed into a British cantonment, the fort which had been built by Raja Gajpat singh of Jind, was taken over by the British and converted into a residence for Dost Mohd. Khan Amir of Kabul. The fort was used as a jail,as quarters for native cavalry and as poor house. In 1862, it was made over to the Education Department, when the district school was moved into it from the city.
It is known all over the world for production of Rice, Wheat and Milk, and agriculture research Institutions like NDRI, CSSRI, Wheat Research Directorate, National Bureau of Animal Genetics Research, Sugarcane Breeding Institute etc.
Location - Karnal is important city on Delhi Ambala Rail Line & Sher Shah Suri Marg (G.T.Road), connected with all-important places in the country. It is 123 Kilometer from Delhi & 130 Kilometer from Chandigarh. Karnal District lies on the western Bank of river Yamuna which once flows about 11 kilometer to the east forming eastern boundary of the district. The river Yamuna separates Haryana from Utter Pardesh. The Karnal Distt including Panipat lies between 29&3909&3950" and 29&3950&39 North latitude and 76 31&39 15" and 77 12&3945" East longitude, its height from sea level is between 235 and 252 meters. The Karnal Distt. is surrounded by Kurukshetra District on its north-west, jind & Kaithal Distt. on its west, Panipat Distt. on its south and Utter Pradesh on east. Places of Interest Kalander Shah&39s Tomb, Devi Temple, Cantonment Church Tower, Bhara Mal&39s Sarai, Old Fort, Miran Sahib&39s Tomb, Gurdwara Manji Sahib, Dargah Nuri, The Karna Tank, Sita Mai Temple, Kunjpura, Naraina, Taraori, Basthali, Gondar (Gautam Rishi), Bahlolpur:(Prashir tank), Anjanthali, Moghul Bridge Saiyads, Gogripur: Bawa Farid.
