That part of Haradwaith situated south of Mordor and east of the River Harnen. Boundaries between Near Harad and neighbouring Umbar and Far Harad were not clearly defined.

The original population was mostly swarthy and darker skinned lesser men. After Sauron founded his empire in Mordor, they became allied to him.

When Gondor was founded in SA 3320, Near Harad was a clear enemy and supplied troops to Sauron. Even after the defeat of Sauron in SA 3441, Near Harad remained an enemy to Gondor and its allies. It remained so until TA 1050 when all of Haradwaith was captured by Hyarmendacil I, first of the Ship Kings of Gondor.

Near Harad remained under the control of Gondor for almost 400 years until TA 1448 when the followers of Castamir took control of Umbar during the Kin-strife and became known as the "Corsairs of Umbar". The kings of Gondor and the Corsairs fought for control of Near Harad from that time on, until the Great Plague of TA 1636 so weakened Gondor that control of all its territories east of the Anduin was relinquished.

Near Harad then remained an ally of Sauron until his final defeat in the War of the Ring.