SONEPAT

city, east-central Haryana state, northern India, 27 miles (43 km) north of New Delhi. The city was probably founded by early Aryan settlers about 1500 BC and flourished on the banks of the Yamuna River, which now has receded 9 miles (14 km) to the east. Mentioned in the Hindu epic the Mahabharata as Sonaprastha, the city is in the region known as the Kuruksetra (Land of Kurus), the scene of the epic war between the Kauravas and the Pandavas. It is one of the largest cities in Haryana state, and its proximity to New Delhi as a source of raw materials and power has helped its industrial development. Sonepat is one of the major bicycle-manufacturing centres in the country; other products include sewing-machine parts, automobile parts, rolled steel, hosiery, and textiles. Carpets, handloomed textiles, and brass and copper ware are among the handicrafts. The mosque of Abdullah Naser ud-Din (built in 1272), tombs of Khwaja Khizr, and the ruins of the old fort wall are in the city. Pop. (1991 prelim.) 142,992.