How Did a Mughal Treasurer's Town Become an Industrial Powerhouse?
In short: Founded in 1607 by a Mughal treasurer to secure a vital road, Faridabad has evolved into a major industrial center. Despite facing pollution challenges, its economic gravity remains undeniable, making it a critical node in the Delhi National Capital Region.
Faridabad's origins trace back to 1607, when Sheikh Farīd, who served as a treasurer to Mughal emperor Jahangir, established the settlement specifically to safeguard the Grand Trunk Road connecting Delhi and Agra. Geographically, it is situated in the cultural region encompassing Braj and Mewat. Following the Partition in 1947, the city experienced a significant demographic shift, with over 50,000 refugees resettled under the guidance of Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, which helped revitalize both its economy and social fabric. In terms of administration, the city is part of the Faridabad division of Haryana, alongside Palwal and Nuh.
Economically, Faridabad is recognized as a primary industrial hub for Haryana; in fact, the city and Gurgaon together account for about 50% of the income tax collected within the state. Its industrial output is diverse, featuring primary products such as tractors, motorcycles, garments, shoes, tyres, switch gears, and refrigerators. Beyond manufacturing, the agricultural sector contributes significantly, making Faridabad renowned for its henna production, with the annual sale of henna estimated between ₹250 crore and ₹300 crore.
The city's modern development is marked by significant infrastructure projects. It was included in the second list of the Smart Cities Mission on May 24, 2016, and is slated for development as a self-sustaining sub-city in the area between the Agra Canal and the Yamuna River, known as Greater Faridabad. Connectivity is a major focus, evidenced by the Delhi Metro Violet Line, which inaugurated its extension to Faridabad on September 6, 2015, and plans for further expansion toward Palwal.
While the city has seen growth in real estate and hosts numerous corporate headquarters—including entities like Escorts Limited, Havells India Limited, and JCB—it has also faced environmental scrutiny. For instance, in 2018, the World Health Organization noted it as one of the world's most polluted cities, and in 2020, it was identified as one of the dirtiest cities in India by the Swachh Survekshan Survey.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Faridabad
- Also: Wikidata — Faridabad · CC0
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