Haridwar has a total population of 2,28,832 and ranks 74th in terms of Hindi speakers. Highest employment in Haridwar is in the Fabric industry, Automobile industry, Electronic, Pharma, Agriculture and Personal care product manufacturing. Out of entire workforce, 64% are employed in the above mentioned Industrial segment, 34% in Agriculture and remaining 2% are Household workers. Haridwar is a good agricultural belt because of the river Ganga and well irrigation of water. The area of Haridwar comes under the Indo-Gangetic plain. Haridwar is one of the most religious cities in India. In the scriptures, Haridwar has been variously mentioned as Kapilasthana, Gangadwara and Mayapuri. It is also an entry point to the Char Dham (the four main centers of pilgrimage in Uttarakhand). Haridwar is also mentioned in the Mahabharata Vana Parva. Kapila Munis Ashrama was in Haridwar, thats why the ancient name of Haridwar was Kapilasthana. Haridwar came under the rule of the Mauryans and later under Kushana Rule. First modern settlement in Haridwar was mentioned in the accounts of the Chinese traveler Huan Tsang. During the Mughal period, there was mint for Akbars copper coinage at Haridwar. It is said that Raja Man Singh of Amber, laid the foundation of the present day city of Haridwar and also renovated the ghats at Har Ki Pauri.
