A stringed instrument found in the east and central regions regions of India, particularly Bengal, as well as Bangladesh. It is a young instrument in Indian terms, being only about 200 years old. It is often confused with the dilruba, which is similar, although the esraj is used in a wider variety of musical styles.

The esraj is like a cross between a saringda (or sarangi) and a sitar, with the neck, strings and tuning like those of a medium-sized sitar with 20 heavy metal frets and a long wooden rack of 12-15 sympathetic strings. The 4 main strings are bowed. All strings are metal. The soundboard is a stretched piece of goatskin similar to that found on a sarangi. Sometimes the instrument has a gourd affixed to the top for balance or for tone enhancement. It gives a sound very similar to a sarangi without being as difficult to play.

The instrument can be rested between the knees while the player kneels, or more commonly rested on the knee of the player while sitting, or also on the floor just in front of the player, with the neck leaning on the left shoulder. It is played with a bow, with the other hand moving along the strings above the frets. The player may slide the note up or down to achieve the portamento, or meend, characteristic of Indian music.

The esraj is mostly used as an accompanying instrument, but has also been used as a solo instrument to interpret Hindustani classical music.

Both the esraj and the dilruba had been declining in popularity for many decades and by the 1980 were nearly extinct, but are once again attracting considerable attention.