It is one of the major string instruments of North India, about 200 years old. It is played with a bow and has many strings. It is found in two forms throughout the north, central, and east regions of India, particularly in Bengal and Bangladesh. Its name is translated as "robber of the heart." The Esraj is mostly used as an accompanying instrument, for the Rabindra Sangeet singing. However, it has also been used as a solo instrument to interpret Hindustani Classical Music, mostly in the Vishnupur tradition. Unfortunately, the popularity of the Esraj has been steadily declining.

The Esraj is used in a somewhat wider variety of musical styles than is the dilruba. The structure of both instruments is very similar, each having a medium sized sitar-like neck with 20 heavy metal frets. This neck holds on a long wooden rack of 12-15 sympathetic strings. While the dilruba has more sympathetic strings and a differently shaped body than the esraj, they both have four main strings which are bowed, where all strings are metal. The soundboard is a stretched piece of goatskin similar to what is found on a sarangi. Sometimes the instrument has a gourd affixed to the top for balance or for tone enhancement. 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.