Musical Instruments of Northern India have contributed greatly in enhancing the essence of different forms of Indian music. Music has been an inseparable part of Indian culture since time immemorial and numerous musical instruments have evolved over time to accompany them. People have crafted a number of instruments to accompany diverse forms of Indian music. Many of these instruments are exclusively played with specific genre of songs. Musical Instruments of Northern India have also undergone various changes and modifications to augment their rhythm, melody and durability. Early musical instruments were mainly manufactured with bones, animal skins and wood while present forms of instruments, in addition to these, have adopted various synthetic durable materials.

Musical Instruments of Punjab
A number of musical instruments have evolved in Punjab which accompanies the Indian music beautifully. Algoze is a woodwind instrument resembling a couple of wooden flutes. It is played with the help of fingers and breathing into it. It is popular along with the folk songs of the state. Bugchu is another traditional instrument of the state used along with folk music and dances of Punjab. Its shape is similar to an hourglass with stretched skin covering its head. Chimta is a famous percussion instrument of Punjab which accompanies Punjabi folk songs and Sikh religious music. Beautiful chiming sound is produced by it. Dhol is a double headed drum and is a prominent percussion instrument. Gagar is another popular musical instrument of the state. It is a metal pitcher. Kato is widely used in cultural activities and is played along with Malwai Giddha and Bhangra. Other popular musical instruments of Punjab include Dilruba, Dhadd, Gharha, Ektara, Khartal, Sapp, Sarangi and Tumbi.

Musical Instruments of Haryana
Musical instruments of Haryana also play important roles in enhancing the essence of regional music. Ektara is a one stringed instrument played with the help of fingers. Dotara is similar to Ektara having two strings. Sarangi is played with a bow. It is highly popular among the folk music of Haryana. Another significant musical instrument of the state is Been. It is mainly used by snake charmers and is made of two bamboo pipes. Bansuri is a wind instrument made of a hollow bamboo stick. In mythology, Bansuri has been depicted as the favourite musical instrument of Lord Krishna. Shehnai is another common instrument widely used in marriage ceremonies. Shankha is on of the oldest wind instrument of the country and is considered as one of the attributes of Lord Vishnu. It is believed to be very sacred and is used in temples and religious ceremonies.

Musical Instruments of Uttarakhand
The state of Uttarakhand also enlists a number of musical instruments. Dhol is a percussion instrument, a double headed drum. It accompanies regional music of the state. Ransingha is another instrument which is actually the primitive trumpet. Two metal curves are joined together in an `S` shape in Ransingha. Dholak is also a double headed drum played with hands. It comes in varying sizes and accompanies folk music of Uttarakhand. Bhankora is a long horn composed of copper and is generally played in religious ceremonies. Other musical instruments of the state are damoun, turri, daur, thali, masakbhaja, harmonium and tabla.

Musical Instruments of Himachal Pradesh
Music is an important aspect of the culture of Himachal Pradesh and a variety of instruments have also evolved in the state to accompany the regional music. Wind instruments of the state include algoza, shehnai, peepni, karnal, bishudi, and ranasingha. Drum based percussion instruments of the state are dammama, gajju, damanght, dhaunsa, doru, dholku, nagara, tamaka, hudak etc. Non drum percussion instruments include ghanta, chimta, ghariyal, manjira, jhanjh, thali, ghungru etc. A number of string instruments are also prevalent in the state are gramyang, sarangi, riwana, ruman, jumang, ektara and kindari davatra.

Musical Instruments of Jammu and Kashmir
Musical instruments of Jammu and Kashmir have also acquired a distinct place in the Indian music. Damman is a famous instrument composed of two kettle drums. It produces a deep and heavy sound. Skaling is a double flute played jointly. Santoor is a 100 stringed instrument and is popularly known as the "Vena of Kashmir". Another stringed instrument is Saranda which is played with a bow. Noot is another instrument which is an earthen pitcher. It produces rhythmic beats which greatly accompanies the folk songs of Kashmir valley. Sitar, Tumbknari, Ransingha, Dahara, Saz-e-Kashmir, King, Rabab, Daph, Dingjam, Gling-Liu, Dukkar, Gharah and many other instruments are widely used in Jammu and Kashmir.

Musical Instruments of Rajasthan
Kamayacha is a famous musical instrument of Rajasthan which is mostly played along with professional singers of Mangniars community. Rawanhatta is made of half coconut shell resonator which is covered by membrane. A bow is used to play the instrument. Bankia is a bass instrument similar to a trumpet. It enhances the vigour of a variety of folk music of the state. Morchang is a wrought iron musical instrument. A variety of musical notes and beautiful rhythmic patterns are produced with Morchang. Shehnai is also common in Rajasthan played especially during weddings. It is double reed instruments accompanied by nagara.

Different states of northern India have developed their unique musical instruments. Several categories of instruments like wind instrument, stringed instrument, percussion instrument etc have come into existence which accompanies various regional, folk, ritualistic and devotional songs. Many ancient instruments are still in use with certain modifications. Evolution of Musical Instruments of Northern India had witnessed varying cultural influences through years. They have also immensely enriched the cultural heritage of India.