Union Budget 2026: Pandavas' capital Hastinapur during Mahabharata era once again on national stage
Hastinapur, the capital of the Pandavas during the Mahabharata era, has once again emerged from the pages of history and into the current spotlight. In the Union Budget 2026-27, the central government has taken a major initiative to reinstate this ancient city on the national stage. Hastinapur has been included again in the list of 15 major archaeological sites in the country, and a decision has been taken to open its historical excavation sites to the general public.
Dr. Krishna Kant Sharma, Head of the Department of History and Professor at Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, while discussing the Union Budget-2026 presented today, told media that this announcement is nothing short of a celebration for history enthusiasts and researchers. Expressing his happiness over this initiative, he said that this was a long-standing demand.
Story of Hastinapur will be presented in a vibrant form
Dr. Sharma said that through the interpretation centers proposed in the budget, the thousands of years old story of Hastinapur will be presented in a vibrant form using modern technology. Tourists visiting Hastinapur will not only see the stone structures and relics but will also be able to feel the cultural soul of this city, which was once the capital of the Pandavas.
Dr. Sharma believes that making the excavation sites publicly accessible will be like a direct dialogue with the roots of Indian civilization. This will give students, historians, and ordinary citizens an opportunity to understand the era from which Indian culture began to take shape.
Expansion of tourism may open new avenues of employment
This initiative has also instilled new hope among the local people. The expansion of tourism is likely to open new avenues of employment in the hotel industry, local guide services, handicrafts, and the transport sector. The streets of Hastinapur, which until now were shrouded in the silence of history, may soon be bustling with tourists.
Hastinapur can also become a leading historical and cultural tourism center
Currently, this gift received in the Union Budget can prove to be a strong bridge between the past and the future for Hastinapur. If the plans are implemented on the ground, this ancient city will not only regain its lost identity but can also become a leading historical and cultural tourism center in the country.
It is noteworthy that Hastinapur tehsil is located approximately 34 kilometers from Meerut district headquarters, which played a leading role in igniting the first sparks of the freedom struggle. Besides its historical significance, Hastinapur is also a major pilgrimage site for Jainism, and a large number of Jain devotees from India and abroad visit the ancient and magnificent Jain temples located here for worship, further enriching Hastinapur's religious and cultural identity.