Haridwar's history is steeped in ancient mythology and scriptures. It is mentioned in several ancient Hindu texts, including the Puranas and the Mahabharata, often referred to as Mayapuri, Gangadwara, or Kapilasthana. According to legend, it is one of the four sites where drops of *Amrit* (the elixir of immortality) fell from the pitcher carried by the celestial bird Garuda during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), solidifying its status as a site for the Kumbh Mela.
Historically, the region was ruled by the Mauryan Empire (322–185 BCE) and later the Kushan Empire. In the 7th century, the famous Chinese traveler Xuanzang visited the city, recording it as 'Mo-yu-lo' and noting its large, active population and the presence of numerous temples. During the medieval period, it faced invasions, including that of Timur in 1399. However, it maintained its spiritual prominence; even Mughal Emperor Akbar is said to have preferred drinking water sourced from the Ganges at Haridwar, calling it the "water of immortality."
The British era brought significant topographical and economic changes, most notably the construction of the Upper Ganges Canal, which began in 1840 and opened in 1854. This massive engineering feat aimed to prevent famine in the Doab region and forever altered the city's waterfront. The railway arrived in 1886, connecting Haridwar to the rest of British India and exponentially increasing pilgrim footfall. Following India's independence, Haridwar saw industrial expansion with the founding of a massive BHEL plant in 1964. In 2000, the city became part of the newly formed state of Uttarakhand, subsequently seeing another wave of industrialization with the SIDCUL estate.