The city where a queen was executed and a miracle fed thousands

Society · Published 20 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Kaithal is a landscape of deep historical layers, where the remains of a 13th-century queen sit near a 16th-century shrine famous for a miracle that defied logic. It is a place where diverse faiths—Sikh, Hindu, and Muslim—converge in shared rituals and architectural legacies.

Kaithal's history is marked by dramatic shifts in power and faith. In 1240, it became the site of the tragic end for Razia Sultan, the first woman to rule the Delhi Sultanate. After being defeated in October 1240, she and her husband, Malik Altunia, were killed by local Jat people. While her tomb remains a known landmark for locals, some historical speculation suggests she may have been disinterred and later reburied in Delhi.

The city also preserves the legacy of the Mughal era and the Sufi saints. Sheikh Tayyab, a former advisor to Emperor Akbar who converted to Islam, left behind a 16th-century tomb. His shrine is linked to a famous miracle during a famine: Shah Kamal Qadri reportedly had two massive pots of food prepared by a Muslim and a Hindu Brahman. Despite thousands of people eating from them day and night, the pots remained full, establishing a tradition where all religions still provide food to the needy during the rainy season.

The region's identity is further shaped by its Sikh heritage. The Ninth Guru, Tegh Bahadur, traveled through Kaithal on his way to Delhi, stopping at sites like Gurudwara Neem Sahib and Gurudwara Manji Sahib. These locations are steeped in stories of devotion, from the Guru curing a fever with neem leaves to his interactions with local carpenters and Banias. Today, the city serves as a unique cultural crossroads, featuring sites like Gurudwara Topiyon Wala, where the Guru Granth Sahib and the Ramayan are recited together.

Geographically and politically, Kaithal evolved from a part of the Karnal and Kurukshetra districts into its own headquarters in 1989. It has transitioned from a Mughal agricultural center to a Sikh state ruled by the Bhais from 1767 to 1843, eventually falling under British influence in 1808. Its modern infrastructure, including a 2015 express train connecting Chandigarh and Jaipur, continues to link its ancient past to contemporary trade.

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