Historical Background
Gurgaon, historically known as the village of Guru Dronacharya—the legendary teacher of the Kauravas and
Pandavas—has a rich heritage influenced by multiple dynasties. During the Mughal era, under Akbar, it was
integrated into the Delhi-Agra dominion. British rule brought administrative restructuring, with Gurgaon
becoming part of the Punjab province post-1857, having earlier been linked to Begum Samru’s military
oversight.
After Haryana’s formation in 1966, Gurgaon remained largely agrarian until the late 1970s. Its
transformation began with the setup of Maruti Udyog and Hero Honda, followed by DLF’s real estate
initiatives and HUDA’s urban planning. Gurgaon emerged as a key satellite city in the National Capital
Region (NCR), earning the moniker "Millennium City."
However, urban development has not been evenly distributed, with peripheral villages facing infrastructure
deficits. Addressing these disparities remains a pressing developmental priority.
Gurgaon At A Glance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Area | 1,258 sq. km |
| Population (2011) | 1,514,085 |
| Population Growth | 79.93% |
| Literacy Rate | 84.4% |
| Sex Ratio | 853 females / 1000 males |
| Sub-Divisions | 4 |
| Development Blocks | 4 |
| Tehsils | 5 |
| Revenue Estates | 291 |
Strategic Importance
Gurgaon is the second-largest city in Haryana, strategically located along borders with Delhi,
Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Its economic and infrastructural expansion has positioned it as a central player
in Haryana’s GDP contribution—25.3% of the state total—and among the top three Indian districts in per capita
income. Excellent connectivity via NH-8, the Delhi-Jaipur-Ahmedabad railway, and the Delhi Metro makes it a
preferred destination for business, leisure, and residence.
Infrastructure and Urban Landscape
Gurgaon boasts a skyline of modern office complexes, residential towers, malls, cyber parks,
world-class hospitals, and educational institutions. However, it faces challenges like water scarcity,
inadequate public transport, and environmental degradation due to fast-paced development.
Demographics and Urbanisation
Due to IT and industrial growth, Gurgaon’s population density has surged. In 1991, 53.9% of
workers were in agriculture—by 2011, only 12.3% remained. Secondary and tertiary sectors have absorbed most of
the workforce.
Agriculture
Some rural pockets still practice agriculture, though cultivable land has shrunk from 656.23 sq.
km (2007) to 515.59 sq. km (2017). Groundwater irrigation remains critical but is under stress.
Industry and Economy
Gurgaon is a national industrial powerhouse, home to:
- Major industries include Maruti Suzuki – India's largest automobile manufacturer, Hero Honda, telecom, IT, electrical goods, and software firms
- A significant BPO and IT hub, with over 250 Fortune 500 companies.
- Tertiary sector jobs dominate, accounting for 81.4% of the workforce.
Master Plan: Gurgaon-Manesar Urban Complex 2031
Released in 2012, it targets a population of 4.25 million. Focuses include sustainable
development and modern infrastructure.
View the Master Plan (PDF)
View the Master Plan (PDF)
Administrative Structure
| Administrative Unit | Count |
|---|---|
| Revenue Tehsils | 5(Gurgaon, Sohna, Pataudi, Farrukh Nagar, Manesar) |
| Sub-Tehsils | 4(Wazirabad, Badshahpur, Kadipur, Harsaru) |
| Development Blocks | 4(Gurgaon, Sohna, Pataudi, Farrukh Nagar) |
| Municipal Corporations | 2(Gurugram & Manesar) |
| Municipal Councils | 2(Sohna, Pataudi) |
| Total Villages | 193 |
| Panchayats | 162 |
Village & Panchayat Distribution (2021)
| Block | Villages | Panchayats |
|---|---|---|
| Gurgaon | 11 | 10 |
| Sohna | 47 | 33 |
| Pataudi | 87 | 73 |
| Farrukh Nagar | 48 | 46 |
Governance and Political Representation
Gurgaon is represented in the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) by Rao Inderjit Singh, who has held the seat for multiple terms and is affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His role includes voicing local interests at the national level and securing central government projects for the district. The district also comprises four legislative assembly constituencies:
- Gurgaon: Represented by Mukesh Sharma (BJP), this constituency covers central and urban parts of the city.
- Badshahpur: Represented by Rao Narbir Singh (BJP), encompassing urban extensions and fast-developing sectors.
- Pataudi: Represented by Bimla Chaudhary (BJP), covering rural hinterlands and small towns.
- Sohna: Represented by Tejpal Tanwar (BJP), focusing on southern rural Gurgaon and the Aravalli foothills.
Gurugram Municipal Corporation (MCG) governs the city through 36 elected ward councillors. The Mayor is the ceremonial head, while the Municipal Commissioner, an IAS officer, leads day-to-day governance. The MCG oversees essential services like waste management, road maintenance, public health, and urban planning. It collaborates with state agencies like GMDA (Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority) for infrastructure projects.
Challenges and Developmental Outlook
- Urban-Rural Divide: While central Gurgaon enjoys world-class infrastructure, nearby villages lack basic amenities like drainage, schools, and healthcare centers. Bridging this divide is essential for holistic development.
- Environmental Sustainability: The district suffers from declining groundwater levels, vehicular pollution, and encroachment on Aravalli forests. Efforts like rainwater harvesting, metro expansion, and eco-sensitive zoning must be prioritized.
- Inclusive Urbanisation: Slum resettlement, affordable housing, and skill development programs are needed to accommodate the large migrant workforce that sustains the city’s economy.
- Governance Efficiency: Multiple civic bodies with overlapping jurisdictions often delay decision-making. A unified digital governance model with real-time monitoring can enhance service delivery.
- Upcoming Projects: Ongoing projects like Dwarka Expressway and RRTS Corridor promise transformative growth. Ensuring timely execution with minimal environmental impact will be key.