Rupnagar is a town and a municipal council in Rupnagar district in the Indian state of Punjab. It was formerly known as Ropar. The town of Rupnagar is said to have been founded by a Raja called Rokeshar, who ruled during the 11th century and named it after his son Rup Sen. It is also the site of an ancient town of the Indus Valley Civilization. The major cities in Ropar District are Morinda, Kurali, Anandpur Sahib and Chamkaur Sahib. The town of Mohali was once part of Ropar District before it became a separate district in 2006. The famous Bhakra dam in Nangal lies on the boundary with the neighbouring state of Himachal Pradesh. Rupnagar is nearly 50 km to the north west of Chandigarh (the nearest airport). It is bordered by Himachal Pradesh to the north and Nawanshahr district to its west.