Panchkula is a well-planned city in the state of Haryana and was officially established as a district on 15 August 1995. It is a satellite city of Chandigarh and, along with Mohali, forms part of the Chandigarh Tricity. The prestigious Chandimandir Cantonment, headquarters of the Indian Army’s Western Command, is located here. The district includes towns such as Panchkula, Barwala, Pinjore, Kalka, and Raipur Rani, and is home to Haryana’s only hill station, Morni. According to the 2011 Census, the district had a population of 561,293.

The name Panchkula is derived from “Panch” (five) and “Kul” (canals), meaning “city of five canals.” These canals historically distributed water from the Ghaggar River from Nada Sahib towards Mata Mansa Devi. Many of the canals pass through Chandimandir Cantonment and are maintained as community property by local villagers. Built by earlier rulers, they follow natural contours to carry water to higher levels, reflecting advanced traditional irrigation practices.

Historically, the region has ancient roots dating back to the Lower Palaeolithic Age, with stone tools discovered in areas like Mansa Devi, Pinjore, and Suketri. The area is associated with the Pandavas and was once known as Panchpura, later Pinjore. Over centuries, it came under the rule of the Kushans, Guptas, Chauhans, Delhi Sultanate, Mughals, Marathas, and eventually the British. Notably, Fidai Khan built the famous Pinjore Gardens during Aurangzeb’s reign.

After India’s independence and the reorganization of states in 1966, the area became part of Haryana. Administrative changes led to the formation of Kalka tehsil in 1967 and Panchkula tehsil in 1989. Finally, Panchkula was declared a full-fledged district on 15 August 1995. Today, the district comprises three tehsils—Kalka, Panchkula, and Raipur Rani—and continues to grow as an important urban and administrative center in the region.