Rakhigarhi is the largest archaeological site of the Harappan Culture or the Indus- Saraswati Civilization situated under two modern villages namely Rakhi-Shahpur and Rakhi-Khas (collectively known as Rakhigarhi). This has been categorized as one of the major metropolitan centre of the Harappan culture. Exploration made by Prof. Suraj Bhan in the year 1969 revealed that the archaeological remains and settlements of Rakhigarhi are of Harappan culture in nature. In the subsequent explorations and excavations carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India and Deccan College, Pune indicated that here was a clustered settlement and expanded in an area more than 500 hectares, these comprises eleven different mounds named RGR-I to RGR-XI. These settlements were situated near the Drishdvati, one of the tributaries of Vedic Saraswati which is identified with the modern Chautang river. The excavations carried out by Archaeological Survey of India under the direction of Dr. Amrendra Nath during 1997-1998 to 1999-2000 revealed various occupational phases beginning from the Pre-formative stage to Mature Harappan period covering the time from 5th millennia BCE to 3rd millennia BCE based on the Radio Carbon dates obtained from various layers.
In view of its historical importance, it was declared protected as an Archaeological site of national importance vide notification no. S.O.2743 dated 28.09.1996.