( The 's' in this name is pronounced like between 's' in 'sum' snd 'sh' in 'she' (no equivalent English sound for this), 'ch' like 'tu' in 'nature' and 'd' like 'th' in 'brother' .)
Harishchandra was en emperor from the solar dynasty of the kshathriyas. He was one of the ancestors of Raama of the Raamaayana. He was also a performer of the celebrated sacrifice Raajasooyam. He was one of the six ancient emperrors of India.
His story was described in ancient scripture like aythareya braahmanam. His story was also described in the Mahaabhaagavatham.
He once begot a son from Varuna god and promised to sacrifice the son to Varuna himself, but he requested for postponement of the sacrifice out of affection to his son. After many such postponements by Harishchandra, his son brought some braahmana ( named Madhuchchandas)to be offered in his place but the braahmana successfully invoked the gods to save him. Later sage vishvaamithra adopted the braahmana boy as elder to all of his sons to their desentment that lead to their being disowned by their father.
A tale was famous in the world about his commitment to truth which says that once sage Vishvaamithra tested him for his truth forcing him to lose his kingdom,son and wife, inspite of which he stood the test to the satisafaction of the sage. This is more elaborated in Maarkandeya Puraanam.
In the Mahaabhaaratham, his mention was made by Naarada to Yudhishthira in Sabhaa parva and Svargaarohana parva.
Even nowadays, we refer to a true person as Sathya Harishchandra ( as committed to truth as Harishchandra )