Punjab

Punjab

PUNJAB

AREA: 50,362 SQ KM
POPULATION: 24,358,999
CAPITAL: CHANDIGARH
PRINCIPAL LANGUAGES: PUNJABI

HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY

Ancient Punjab formed part of the vast Indo-Iranian region. In later years, it saw the rise and fall of the Mauryans, Bactrians, Greeks, Sakas, Kushans and Guptas. Medieval Punjab witnessed the supremacy of the Muslims. Ghaznavi was followed by the Ghoris, the slaves, the Khiljis, the Tughlaqs, the Lodhis and the Mughals. Fifteenth and sixteenth centuries marked a period of watershed in the history of Punjab. Through teachings of Guru Nanak, Bhakti movement received a great impetus. Sikhism began as a socio-religious movement, which was more interested in fighting evils in religion and society. It was Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru, who transformed the Sikhs into the Khalsa. They rose to challenge tyranny and after centuries of servitude, established a humane Punjabi Raj based on secularism and patriotism. Maharaja Ranjit Singh, in the words of a Persian writer, changed Punjab from Madam Kada to Bagh-Bahisht (from the abode of sorrow to the garden of paradise). But soon after his death, the entire edifice collapsed due to internal intrigues and British machinations. After two abortive Anglo-Sikh wars, Punjab was finally annexed to the British Empire in 1849.

The fight against the British rule had begun long before Mahatma Gandhi’s arrival on the scene. The revolt found expression through the movement of a revivalist or reformist character. First, it was the Namdhari sect, which believed in self-discipline and self-rule. Later, it was Lala Lajpat Rai who played a leading role in the Freedom Movement. Punjab was in the vanguard of India’s freedom struggle on all fronts in India and abroad. Punjab’s hardships did not end with Independence, as it had to face the misery of Partition with large-scale bloodshed and migration. Besides their rehabilitation, there was the task of reorganization of the State.

Eight princely states of East Punjab were grouped together to form a single state called PEPSU—Patiala and the East Punjab States Union—with Patiala as its capital. PEPSU state was merged with Punjab in 1956. Later in 1966, Haryana was carved out of Punjab.

Situated in the north-western corner of the country, Punjab is bound on the west by Pakistan, on the north by Jammu and Kashmir, on the north-east by Himachal Pradesh, and on the south by Haryana and Rajasthan.

PLACES TO SEE

THE GOLDEN TEMPLE: The Darbar Sahib accepts the homage of all and this is represented by the four entrances to the temple. The Akhand Path, an unbroken reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, is held on the first floor of Darbar Sahib. On the top floor is the Sheesh Mahal, an impressive hall covered by mirrors. The temple itself is topped by a golden dome contributed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh who had the shrine rebuilt. It came to be called the Golden Temple after this

JALLIANWALA BAGH: This is the spot of the black incident where 379 people were ruthlessly killed and about 1,200 injured by General Dywer’s troops. The Martyrs’ Gallery is a poignant reminder of this heinous crime during the British Raj. The entry to this old garden complex is a narrow passage with a single exit and entry point.

DURGIANA TEMPLE: Set within a serene sarovar the 16th century temple’s gilded visage reminds you of the Darbar Sahib. It is dedicated to the Goddess Durga. Within the complex devotees stop by at the Sheetla Mata Temple, Lakshmi Narayan Mandir and the Hanuman Mandir.

ROCK GARDEN: Chandigarh has the distinction of having a unique world-acclaimed Rock Garden. It consists of art objects, fashioned from industrial and urban waste. It is situated between the Capitol Complex and Sukhna Lake in Sector 1. It nestles amidst 20 acres of woods in the form of an open air exhibition hall, theatre trove and a miniature maze all rolled into one vast fantasy land of art and landscape. It is without doubt, a tourist spot that is a must on the itinerary of every visitor to Chandigarh.

SUKHNA LAKE: The manmade picturesque Sukhna Lake in the foothills of Shivalik range is an idyllic place for quiet communion with nature and for offering water sports activities such as boating, yachting, water skiing, etc. The creation of Lake was one of the greatest gifts from Le Corbusier and P L Varma Chief Engineer. To preserve its tranquility Corbusier insisted that it be forbidden to motor boats and the top of the dam (promenade) prohibited to vehicular traffic.

ROSE GARDEN: Named after India’s former President, Zakir Hussain, the garden was established in 1967 under the guidance of Chandigarh first Chief Commissioner late Dr M S Randhawa. The largest Rose Garden in Asia, it is spread over an area of 27 acres and has more than 17,000 plants representing some 1,600 varieties of roses as well as several fountains. Along with the roses emphasis was also given on the trees of medicinal value and some unique specimen trees to enhance the beauty of the garden The medicinal trees planted here are bel, bahera, harar, camphor and yellow gulmohar.

QILA MUBARAK: It is also known as Patiala Fort and was first built as a mud fort or Kachi Garhi. There is a Darbar Hall which has been converted into a mini museum where rare arms and armors like a sword of Nadir Shah are stored. A number of precious pieces of art are also on display, like the exquisite chandeliers. If you are interested in the arms and ammunition of the medieval and early modern ages, then you must visit the Cannon Park which is located within the premises of this massive fort.

ART GALLERY AT SHEESH MAHAL: The museums and art galleries occupy an important place among the tourist attractions in Punjab and you can pay visit to the art gallery at Sheesh Mahal in the Patiala city. This art gallery houses a rare collection of miniature paintings and paintings of Kangra, Rajasthan and Patiala styles. There is also a particular section on splendid Tibetan Arts and Artifacts.

WAGAH BORDER: When the sun decides to say goodbye to a peaceful day its time for the reunion, which transcends the boundaries, that man has laid. From Amritsar 35 Km on the road to Lahore (Pakistan), is India-Pakistan border, which is also known as “Attari (India)-”Wagah” (Pakistan) border. A visit to the border is an interesting experience, especially at sun-set, when the retreat ceremony takes place with the Border Security Force (B.S.F.) on the Indian side and The Sutlej Rangers on the Pakistan side putting up a well co-ordinated and spectacular display which compares very favorably with the changing of royal guard in London. The sound from the bugles blown together from both sides paints past on the canvas when India and Pakistan were one, simultaneously Flags of the two nations are ceremoniously retrieved and lights are switched on marking the end of the day amidst thunderous applause. Today this point is only land route to approach Pakistan and central Asia.