Ambala District claims to be one of the famous historical districts of Haryana State. The District was explored during British period by A.C. Cunningham and C. Rodgers and later by B.B. Lal and many others. The earliest literary reference to the region comprising the Ambala District in the Taittiriya Aranayaka mentions Turghna as the bordering region towards the North of Kurukshetra. It is surmised that Ambala District was found by Amba Rajput during the 14th century AD. Another historical version says that the name is a corruption of Amba Wala or the mango-village judging from mango groves that existed in its immediate neighbourhood. Still another story is that the District has taken its name after goddess "Bhawani Amba" who`s Temple still exists in the Ambala city.

The earliest inhabitants of district were a primitive people using stone tools of lower Palaeolithic Age. These tools were found at various sites in the district like Tarlokpur etc. Unfortunately this district has not yielded any pre Harappan or mature Harappan site. The various evidence specially that of painted grey ware pottery support the fact that the Aryans also inhabited the region. The Ambala region was included in the Kingdom of Pandava and there successors. The Edicts of Ashoka chiefly Topara edicts and stupas at Singh and Chaneti associate the district with Maurayan Empire which further adds to the district with Mauryan Empire adding to the importance of place. The discovering of Sunga Terralottas suggests that they also held this area. At some places Kushan Bricks have also been found which justify the conclusion that this district was included in the Kushana Empire. This evidence is supported by Mehrauli Pillar Inscription and silver coins found at various places.

The region formed an integral part of nearly all the premier ruling dynasties of India. Some foreign accounts especially those of Chinese pilgrimage Huen Tsang who visited during Harsha regime show that this District was also under some influence of Buddhism. The district further witnessed the Imperial ambition of Yaso Verman of Kanauj and laladitya. After the invasion of Mohammed Ghaznavi, Charuhaus brought it under their control. The Topara Pillar stands Testimony of this fact. Finally the Muslims under took the district after the defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan in the second Battle of Terrain in 1192. Between 9th to12th centuries this district retained its importance as a centre of religious pilgrimage. The discovery of image of lords at several places suggests existence of beautiful temples which were probably destroyed during Muslim invasions.

Under the Muslims, the district formed a part of Kutab-Bin-Abak Empire. The region also witnessed the invasion of Timur. In 1450 Bahlol Lodhi the then governor of Punjab brought the area under his control till Babur`s invasion in 1526. Akbar`s reign was full of events in Din-E-Akbari .It is mentioned that mahals of Ambala were part of Sirhind of Delhi suba. After the Aurangzeb death the political position and various forces rose in opposition to the Empire. Banda Bahudar, a disciple of Guru Gobind Singh launched a fierce attack on Ambala area (1709-10) however he lost to Mughals at Sadhaura in 1710. After Banda, Khidmat, a Mughal official governed the Ambala Terrritory till 1739. After Nadir Shah`s invasion a dark period followed with the division of Ambala in to small principalities. Abdali had held the area from 1757 onwards. The restive Sikhs in 1763 came in possession of this territory after slaying Abdalis Governor. In short, during medieval age the district of Ambala was full of Political activities and turmoil`s.