The invention of Sitar is commonly credited to Amir Khusrau, a courtier of Allauddin Khilji in the 13th Century. The name Sitar was derived from Persian 'Sehtar' meaning 'three strings' which the instrument originally had.

But the modern Sitar has seven strings fastened to the pegs on the neck and the sides. Sixteen to twenty-two frets are secured to the finger-board by pieces of gut. There are also 11 to 12 sympathetic strings below the frets, running parallel to the main strings. The instrument is played by means of wire plectrum worn on the forefinger of the right hand. It was instrumental in introducing western audiences to Indian Classical music.