History of Kurukshetra
The history of Kurukshetra is supposed to be dated back to 1500 BC when the Aryans first came to this subcontinent. It is also believed that the holy script of Rig-Veda was composed here only. The name of this place Kurukshetra was named after King Kuru who belonged to the Bharata Dynasty and was the ancestor of Pandavas and Koauravas. The most important religious significance of this place is associated with the battle of Mahabharata which was fought here for 18 days and it was during this battlefield when Lord Krishna preached the lessons of Bhagvat Gita to Arjun at Jyotisar near Kurukshetra.
Apart from a great mythological significance, the land is also associated with many historical ups and downs and has been a witness of several great empires and rulers. Chinese scholar Hieun Tsang visited Kurukshetra during the reign of King Harsha. Later, the great King Ashoka converted it in an important center of Vedic learning and civilization. In Mughal Era, the city also experienced some downfalls and was plundered by Sultan Mohammad who snatched away much of the precious wealth and riches of the temples. During the reign of Akbar and Aurangzeb, Kurukshetra got back its cultural predominance and since then it has been a sacred pilgrimage site and an important tourist destination for the people all across the globe.
