page_title: Hansi
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Hansi / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Portrait of Colonel James Skinner in uniform, CB, (1778–1841), c.1830. The portrait is from Skinner's own Tazkirat al-Umara, or Account of the Nobles [of Delhi and its neighbourhood], in the British Library (Add.27255, f.4), dated 1830. British Library: B20037-51
context_page_description: Hansi, is a city, a municipal council and Hansi in Hisar district in the Indian state of Haryana. It is located at a distance of 26 kilometres east of Hisar on NH-9. Geographically, it is semi-arid with around 46 cm of annual rainfall. It appears that at one time Hansi was larger, more prosperous and more important than Hisar. The town has several important buildings of archeological importance.Shri Vinod Bhayana is MLA of Hansi.
  In 2016, the Haryana government put forward a proposal to carve the new Hansi district out of the Hisar district.
context_section_description: Though the origin of this city is wrapped in controversies, some prominent names and documentary proof like "Majkura Hansi" describe it as being founded by ill daughter Hansivati/Ambavati of Prithvi Raj Chauhan. Others say it was founded two centuries earlier by King Anangpal Vihangpal Tomar for his guru "Hansakar" (957 AD).
  Hansi hoard, a large hoard of Jaina bronzes was accidentally discovered at Hansi in February 1982. These include idols that may belong to the Gupta period (319 to 605 CE), while most belonged to the 7th–8th centuries. They were apparently buried underground before the impending attack by Mahmud of Ghazni's son Mas'ud I of Ghazni in 1037 CE. Masud attacked swordsmen of Hansi and took women into slavery who were later sold at Gazni.
  In 1192, after the defeat of Prithvi Raj Chauhan by Mohammed Gauri, Hindu rule ended in Hansi. This was the time when non-Muslims were not permitted to settle here. Slowly, Hansi lost its importance and was remembered only as a fort. Delhi started becoming the center of attention.
  Shahjahan came to Hansi, met the famous Hindu saint Jagannath Puri Samadha Hansi and after his approval Hindus were allowed to settle in Hansi. In addition to the Hindus, Hansi had Muslims and a few Jains that inhabited Hansi during this Mughal rule.
  Guru Gobind Singh also came to Hansi in 1705 and inspired the public to revolt against the oppressive Mughal rule. In 1707, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur attacked Hansi. Hansi was under Maratha rule in 1736 and, after Third Battle of Panipat in 1761, was lost to Ahmed Shah Abdali. Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia in 1780s also took this area under his control for some years and then left
  George Thomas, an Irish mercenary and raider who rose from an ordinary sailor to become a feudal lord (jagirdar), made Hansi as his capital. Hansi was seized by the British East India Company rule in 1802. From 1819–32, Hansi was a District HQ which was later shifted to Hisar in 1832.
  Hansi was also the headquarters of Colonel James Skinner CB (1778 – 4 December 1841) the Anglo-Indian immigrant and mercenary in India, who became known as Sikandar Sahib. 1st Skinner's Horse and 3rd Skinner's Horse (formerly 2nd Skinner's Horse) were founded by Colonel James Skinner at Hansi in 1803. These units are still part of the Indian Army. He also built the Sheikhpura Kothi, on Hansi-Ugalan road off NH9 Hansi bypass, named after his son.
  Raham Ali ibn Mohammad Hussain ibn Maulana Abul Khair of Palwal was killed along with Aulia Khan Balooch at Pargana Hansi. Raham Ali was brother-in-law of Qazi Syed Mohammad Rafi.
  After the Anglo-Maratha Wars Hansi came under British rule. Hansi took active part in the 1857 war of liberation (Gadar), Lala Hukam Chand Jain was martyred in 1857 by Britishers.
  In 1947 when British India was divided into Pakistan and India, a large number of Muslims including Syeds and Ranghars migrated to Pakistan from Hansi city and their villages (such as Baliali and Khanak). Pakistani cricket player Inzamam-ul-Haq's parents migrated to Pakistan from Hansi after partition.
  Dr. Bhup Singh, historian, has written Hansi ka Etias, a History of Hansi, a book published by Rotary International. He has also written two other books and has been linked to a number of local social organisations.
  Hansi is known for its famous sweet peda which is made from milk and is sent to many other towns and cities for retail selling.
caption: James Skinner CB (1778–1841), 19th century, probably from Thomas Metcalfe's book dated 1843
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