HISSAR, a town and district of British India, in the Umballa division of the Punjab. The town is situated on the Western Jumna canal, 102 m. W.N.W. of Delhi. Pop. (1931) 25,179. It was founded in 1356 by the emperor Feroz Shah, who constructed a canal to supply it with water; but this fell into decay during the 18th century, owing to the constant inroads of marauders. Hissar was almost completely depopulated during the famine of 1783, but was afterwards occupied by the famous Irish adventurer George Thomas, who built a fort and collected inhabitants. It is now chiefly known for its cattle-farm supported by the Gov ernment.
The DISTRICT comprises an area of 5,213 sq.m. It forms the western border district of the great Bikanir desert, and consists for the most part of sandy plains dotted with shrub and brush wood, and broken by undulations towards the south, which rise into hills of rock like islands out of a sea of sand. The Ghaggar is its only river, and its supply is uncertain. The Western Jumna canal crosses the district from east to west, irrigating many vil lages. Hissar produces a breed of large milk-white oxen, which are in great request. Before recent extensions of irrigation the district was often subject to famine. Its population in 1931 was 899,479. The climate is very dry, hot westerly winds blowing from the middle of March till July. Cotton weaving, ginning and pressing are carried on. The chief trading centres are Bhi wani, Hansi, Hissar and Sirsa.
Early in the mutiny of 1857 Hissar was wholly lost for a time to British rule, and all Europeans were either murdered or com pelled to fly. The Bhattis rose under their hereditary chiefs, and the majority of the Mahommedan population followed their example. Before Delhi had been recovered, however, the rebels were utterly routed.