Overview
Gurgaon, officially renamed Gurugram in 2016, is a city in the state of Haryana in northern India. Situated on the southwestern edge of the National Capital Region (NCR), it adjoins New Delhi and is one of the principal financial, industrial, and information technology hubs of India. Gurgaon serves as the administrative headquarters of the Gurugram district.
Key Facts
| Name | Gurgaon (Gurugram) |
|---|---|
| State | Haryana |
| Region | National Capital Region (NCR) |
| District | Gurugram |
| Country | India |
| Renamed | 2016 (Gurgaon to Gurugram) |
| Civic body | Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) |
Etymology and Name Change
The name Gurgaon is traditionally derived from Guru-gram, meaning "village of the guru", a reference to Dronacharya, the preceptor of the Pandavas and Kauravas in the Mahabharata, who is said to have received the village as a gift. In April 2016, the Government of Haryana officially renamed the city Gurugram, restoring what was described as its older form.
Geography
Gurgaon lies in the southern part of Haryana, adjacent to the Delhi border, and is bounded by Faridabad to the east, Rewari to the south, and Jhajjar to the north. Parts of the city are situated along the Aravalli range, with the southern fringes containing protected forest tracts. The city is connected to Delhi through the Delhi–Gurgaon Expressway, which forms a section of National Highway 48.
History
The Gurgaon region has historical associations with the Mahabharata era and was part of various successive polities including the Mughal Empire and, after 1803, the British East India Company's territories. Gurgaon district was constituted under British administration and became part of the Punjab Province. After Indian independence and the reorganisation of states, it became part of the new state of Haryana when it was carved out of Punjab in 1966.
Industrial and Urban Growth
Modern Gurgaon's transformation began in the 1970s with the establishment of Maruti Udyog (now Maruti Suzuki), which set up its manufacturing plant in the city. The opening of the Indian economy in 1991 accelerated growth, with multinational corporations and back-office operations establishing offices in the city through the 1990s and 2000s. Real estate development by firms such as DLF Limited contributed to large-scale residential and commercial projects, including the area known as DLF Cyber City.
Economy
Gurgaon hosts the Indian headquarters or significant offices of numerous multinational corporations and is a leading centre for information technology, business process outsourcing, automobile manufacturing, finance, and aviation services. Major employers include Maruti Suzuki, Hero MotoCorp, and a large number of IT and consulting firms based in Cyber City and the adjoining Udyog Vihar industrial estate. The city is also a hub for several aviation companies due to its proximity to Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.
Transport
- Road: National Highway 48 connects Gurgaon to Delhi and Jaipur. The Dwarka Expressway and Southern Peripheral Road serve intra-NCR traffic.
- Metro: The Delhi Metro Yellow Line extends into Gurgaon, and the privately operated Rapid Metro Gurgaon serves the Cyber City area.
- Rail: Gurgaon Railway Station lies on the Delhi–Rewari line of the Northern Railway.
- Air: Indira Gandhi International Airport, located in Delhi, is the nearest airport.
Administration
Civic administration is handled by the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG), constituted in 2008. Urban planning for new sectors is overseen by the Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), formerly HUDA. Gurugram is also a Lok Sabha constituency.
Education and Institutions
Gurgaon is home to several higher education institutions, including the Management Development Institute (MDI), Ansal University, and various private medical, engineering, and design colleges.