Punjab, India

Punjab is a state in northwestern India. It is part of the larger Punjab region and is bordered by several other Indian states and union territories, including Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Chandigarh, which serves as its capital. To the west, it shares a border with the Punjab province of Pakistan. The state covers an area of 50,362 square kilometres and is home to over 27 million people.

The history of Punjab is rich and diverse, with many different cultures and peoples settling in the region over thousands of years. Ancient civilisations, such as the Indus Valley Civilisation, once thrived here. Later, the region was influenced by various empires, including the Maurya and Mughal Empire. Sikhism began in this area during the 15th and 17th centuries. After India gained independence from British rule in 1947, the Punjab region was divided between India and Pakistan, leading to major changes in its borders.

Today, Punjab is known for its strong agricultural background and is one of the more developed states in India. The economy is strong, and the state is famous for its vibrant music, delicious food, and growing tourism. The main language is Punjabi, written in the Gurmukhi script, and the population includes many Sikhs and Hindus.

Etymology

Further information: Punjab § Etymology

The name "Punjab" comes from two Persian words: "panj," meaning five, and "ab," meaning waters. This name refers to the five rivers that flow through the region. These rivers have shaped the land and the lives of people living there for many years.

History

Main article: History of Punjab

See also: Punjab (region)

Ancient period

The Punjab region was home to one of the earliest urban societies, the Indus Valley Civilisation, which thrived from around 3000 B.C. and declined about 1,000 years later. This was followed by the Indo-Aryan migrations between 1500 and 500 B.C. These changes led to the rise of local kingdoms, known as Mahajanapadas. The history of these kingdoms is told in ancient Hindu stories, especially the Mahabharata. Battles from this epic were fought in what is now Haryana and historic Punjab.

Notable early leaders included King Porus, who faced Alexander the Great in the Battle of the Hydaspes. Alexander founded cities in Porus’s land after the battle. The area later saw influence from Greek culture, mixing with Indian traditions.

Medieval period

In the eighth century, Muslim armies brought Islam to Punjab. Later, the Ghaznavids took control, followed by the Delhi Sultanate. In the late 15th century, Sikhism began with Guru Nanak. The Sikh faith grew during a time of religious challenges, with leaders standing up for freedom of belief.

Modern period

The Mughals ruled Punjab in the sixteenth century. Later, Sikh leaders built a strong empire by the late 1700s. This Sikh Empire lasted until the mid-1800s when it was taken over by the British.

During British rule, Punjab became a key part of India’s farming and army. After India gained independence, Punjab was split, leading to big changes in its communities. In 1966, Punjab was divided again to create new states, including Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

Punjab faced tough times in the 1980s and 1990s due to disagreements between some Sikh groups and the government, leading to difficult periods for many people.

Geography

Punjab is a state in northwestern India, covering an area of 50,362 square kilometres. It shares borders with Pakistan to the west, Jammu and Kashmir to the north, Himachal Pradesh to the northeast, and Haryana and Rajasthan to the south. Most of Punjab is a flat, fertile plain with rivers and many canals. In the northeast, there are gentle hills at the base of the Himalayas. The land ranges in height from about 180 metres in the southwest to over 500 metres in the northeast. The southwest is dry and eventually becomes the Thar Desert.

Punjab lies within the Indus River Basin. Three rivers—the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi—flow through Punjab and join the Indus River in Pakistan. These rivers help define the border with Pakistan in some places.

The state's weather changes a lot through the year. Winters can be quite cold, with temperatures sometimes dropping near freezing, especially in December and January. Summers are very hot, often reaching above 40 °C. Punjab has three main seasons: summer (mid-April to end of June), monsoon (early July to end of September), and winter (early December to end of February). There are also shorter periods between these seasons. The monsoon brings most of the rain, which is important for farming.

Punjab is home to many birds, insects, fish, reptiles, and mammals. There are wetlands and wildlife sanctuaries where many species live, including birds, butterflies, and fish. Some areas have crocodiles and dolphins in the rivers. The state also has forests, though they cover a small part of the land. Efforts are being made to plant more trees and protect wildlife.

Main article: Wildlife of Punjab, India

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of Punjab (India) and List of cities in Punjab and Chandigarh by population

Punjab is home to about 2.3% of India's population. The state has a population of around 27.7 million people, with a density of 551 people per square kilometer. In the state, there are more males than females. About 37.5% of people in Punjab live in cities and towns, and this number has been growing.

Gender

The number of girls compared to boys in Punjab has been getting lower over time. There are about 895 girls for every 1,000 boys, which is below the national average.

Literacy

In 2011, about 75.8% of people in Punjab could read and write. Boys had a higher rate than girls. This means more boys could read and write than girls at that time.

Language

Most people in Punjab speak Punjabi, which is the official language. Some also speak Hindi or other languages.

Caste

Punjab has different groups of people based on their social background. One large group is called Scheduled Castes, making up about 32% of the population.

Religion

See also: Religion in the Punjab and Demographics of Punjab, India

Punjab has the most Sikhs in India, and Sikhs are the majority there. Hinduism is also common. Small groups follow Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Buddhism, and other religions.

Sikhs make up most of the population, followed by Hindus. There are also smaller numbers of people who follow Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Buddhism, and other religions.

The Golden Temple in Amritsar is a very important place for Sikhs. Many Hindu temples are also visited by people in Punjab.

Religion in Punjab, India (1881–2011)

Religious group	1881		1891		1901: 34		1911: 27 : 27		1921: 29		1931: 277		1941		2001		2011
	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
Hinduism	2,839,995	42.98%	3,345,813	44.62%	3,278,620	42.69%	2,383,954	34.9%	2,462,215	33.9%	2,351,417	28.95%	2,597,038	26.62%	8,997,942	36.94%	10,678,138	38.49%
Islam	2,440,888	36.94%	2,800,928	37.36%	2,898,114	37.74%	2,515,774	36.83%	2,686,598	36.99%	3,072,619	37.83%	3,748,410	38.42%	382,045	1.57%	535,489	1.93%
Sikhism	1,311,139	19.84%	1,332,177	17.77%	1,479,072	19.26%	1,883,572	27.58%	2,043,520	28.14%	2,610,810	32.14%	3,281,341	33.63%	14,592,387	59.91%	16,004,754	57.69%
Jainism	10,463	0.16%	11,591	0.15%	12,306	0.16%	11,951	0.17%	11,030	0.15%	12,262	0.15%	12,480	0.13%	39,276	0.16%	45,040	0.16%
Christianity	5,160	0.08%	7,092	0.09%	11,415	0.15%	35,125	0.51%	59,363	0.82%	75,809	0.93%	103,477	1.06%	292,800	1.2%	348,230	1.26%
Zoroastrianism	22	0.0003%	80	0.001%	108	0.001%	131	0.002%	138	0.002%	145	0.002%	90	0.001%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Buddhism	1	0%	0	0%	3	0%	0	0%	17	0.0002%	10	0.0001%	4	0%	41,487	0.17%	33,237	0.12%
Judaism	—N/a	—N/a	0	0%	6	0.0001%	0	0%	0	0%	4	0%	25	0.0003%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Others	31	0.0005%	4	0.0001%	1	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	14,296	0.15%	8,594	0.04%	98,450	0.35%
Total Population	6,607,699	100%	7,497,685	100%	7,679,645	100%	6,830,507	100%	7,262,881	100%	8,123,076	100%	9,757,161	100%	24,358,999	100%	27,743,338	100%
Note: Colonial era census figures include small portions of contemporary Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, Pakistan due to changes to administrative division borders during the post-independence era. Ropar tehsil, 282 Village with Kharar, kurali town of Kharar, Tahsil of Ambala District given to punjab in Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 which not included here. Nabha, Patiala State, fully included in Punjab, its some area also falls into Haryana (Mahendragarth, Narwana, Pinjore, Bawal) & Himachal (Kandaghat), which also added here, and Jind State some area also falls in Punjab (Sangrur etc.) which is not added here. 186 villages with Patti, Punjab & Khemkaran town of Kasur tahsil of Lahore District also fall in India which not included here.

Government and politics

Main articles: Politics of Punjab, India; Government of Punjab, India; Greater Punjab Movement, India; Punjab Legislative Assembly; and List of districts of Punjab, India

Punjab is governed through a parliamentary system of representative democracy. The head of government is an indirectly elected Chief Minister, who holds most of the executive powers. The government serves for five years.

The capital of Punjab is Chandigarh, which is also the capital of Haryana and is administered separately as a union territory of India. The judicial branch is provided by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Chandigarh.

The three major political parties in the state are the Aam Aadmi Party, the Shiromani Akali Dal, and the Indian National Congress.

Administrative set-up

Punjab has 23 districts, grouped into four areas: Majha, Malwa, Doaba, and Puadh. Each district is managed by a Deputy Commissioner, who helps with land records and keeping order. These districts are also split into smaller areas called tehsils, which help manage local villages.

There are special groups like Zila Parishads and Municipal Committees that take care of towns and cities. The main city and capital of Punjab is Amritsar, while the biggest city is Ludhiana. Many people in Punjab live in cities and towns.

Traditional regions

The state of Punjab in India can be split into three main parts: Majha, Doaba, and Malwa. These areas are named based on the rivers around them and have different ways of speaking the Punjabi language.

Majha includes the districts of Amritsar and Gurdaspur. Doaba includes Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, and Nawanshahr. Malwa includes many districts such as Bathinda, Faridkot, Firozpur, and others. There is also another way to look at Punjab’s areas, based on land near rivers that may flood.

Economy

Main articles: Economy of Punjab (India) and E-governance in Punjab

See also: Measurement of land in Punjab

Punjab is a very rich state in India, with lots of fertile land that grows food like wheat, rice, and fruits. It is often called "India's bread-basket" because it helps feed many people. The state also has many jobs in making things like machines, clothes, and tools.

Punjab's economy has depended a lot on farming since the Green Revolution. The land is very fertile and has many rivers and canals for watering crops. The most important crop is wheat, but farmers also grow rice, cotton, sugarcane, and fruits. Even though Punjab is only a small part of India, it grows a lot of the country's wheat and rice. However, using too many fertilisers and pesticides has made the soil less productive and the water levels lower.

Besides farming, Punjab has industries that make financial services, scientific instruments, clothes, bicycles, and more. Many people from Punjab live in other countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, and they send money back home, which helps the state's economy.

Further information: Punjab Agri Export Corporation

Transport

Main articles: Punjab Roadways and PEPSU Road Transport Corporation

Air

Punjab has six airports, including two international ones: Amritsar International Airport and Chandigarh Airport at Mohali. There are also four smaller airports: Bathinda Airport, Pathankot Airport, Adampur Airport (Jalandhar) and Ludhiana Airport. Two more airfields at Beas (Amritsar) and Patiala don’t have regular flights.

Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport in Amritsar is the main gateway to Punjab, offering direct flights to cities like London, Singapore, Milan, Dubai, and Birmingham.

Railways

The Indian Railways Northern Railway line goes through Punjab, linking most major towns and cities. Fast trains like the Vande Bharat Express and Shatabdi Express connect Amritsar to New Delhi, traveling a total of 449 km. Amritsar Junction railway station is the busiest in the state. Bathinda Junction holds a special record for having the most railway lines from one station in Asia. Important railway stations in Punjab include Amritsar Junction (ASR), Ludhiana Junction (LDH), Jalandhar Cantonment (JRC), Firozpur Cantonment (FZR), Jalandhar City Junction (JUC), Pathankot Junction (PTK) and Patiala railway station (PTA). Amritsar’s railway station is among India’s 50 best stations.

Roads

All cities and towns in Punjab are linked by four-lane national highways. The Grand Trunk Road, also called "NH1", runs from Kolkata to Peshawar, passing through Amritsar and Jalandhar. These highways are known for being some of the best in the country, reaching even remote areas. Amritsar and Ludhiana have higher rates of road accidents.

New expressways planned for Punjab include:

• Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway from Delhi to Katra (National Expressway 5)
• Amritsar–Jamnagar Expressway from Amritsar to Jamnagar
• Pathankot–Ajmer Expressway from Pathankot to Ajmer

Important national highways in Punjab are:

• National Highway 1
• National Highway 10
• National Highway 15
• National Highway 1A
• National Highway 54
• National Highway 20
• National Highway 21
• National Highway 22
• National Highway 64
• National Highway 70
• National Highway 71
• National Highway 95

Urban Rapid Transit System

Punjab has a bus rapid transit system called the Amritsar BRTS in Amritsar, often called the 'Amritsar MetroBus'.

Education

Main article: Education in Punjab (India)

See also: Punjab School Education Board and List of institutions of higher education in Punjab

Punjab has many schools and universities that help students learn many important subjects like arts, science, engineering, and medicine. Learning the Punjabi language is important for all students until they finish their basic schooling.

Punjab is home to some special universities. Punjab Agricultural University is famous for its work in farming, and Panjab University in Chandigarh has trained important leaders like former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. There are 23 universities in Punjab, including private, state, and central universities.

The next table shows how many students there are in schools across Punjab’s districts.

Punjab is also a place where people can study yoga and natural ways to stay healthy. Many students are choosing these fields for their future careers.

<a href="/wiki/Khalsa_College,_Amritsar">Khalsa College, Amritsar</a>

The <a href="/wiki/Ranjit_Singh">Ranjit Singh</a> Block at <a href="/wiki/Guru_Nanak_Dev_University">Guru Nanak Dev University</a>

Health

Main article: Health in Punjab, India

In Punjab, many children between ages 0 and 59 months were shorter than expected for their age, called stunting. In 2015–16, this affected 26% of young children, which was better than the national average. However, many children also had anaemia, where their blood lacks enough healthy red cells. In 2015–16, about 56.6% of children had some anaemia, and by 2020–21, this rose to 71.1%.

For adults, health surveys show that not many people drink alcohol — about 22.8% of men and only 0.3% of women. Tobacco use was also low, at 12.9% for men and 0.4% for women. But many adults were overweight or obese. In 2020–21, 32.2% of men and 40.8% of women were in this category, up from earlier years. Most adults also had a high waist-to-hip ratio, which can be a health risk.

Media

Main articles: List of Punjabi media, List of Punjabi-language newspapers, and List of Punjabi-language television channels

Daily newspapers such as Daily Ajit, Jagbani and Punjabi Tribune are very popular in Punjab. The The Tribune is the most popular English newspaper there. Many weekly, biweekly and monthly magazines are also published in Punjabi.

The government runs Doordarshan, and its DD Punjabi channel focuses on Punjabi content. Popular private Punjabi channels include news channels like BBC Punjabi, ABP Sanjha, Global Punjab TV, News18 Punjab-Haryana-Himachal, Zee Punjab Haryana Himachal, PTC News and entertainment channels like Zee Punjabi, ATN Punjabi Plus, ATN Punjabi, Chardikla Time TV, PTC Punjabi, Colours Punjabi, ATN Punjabi 5, ATN PM One and 9x Tashan.

Punjab has many FM radio channels, especially in cities like Jalandhar, Patiala and Amritsar. Government radio channels include All India Radio, Jalandhar, All India Radio, Bathinda and FM Gold Ludhiana. Private radio channels include Radio Mirchi, BIG FM 92.7, 94.3 My FM, Radio Mantra and many more.

Culture

Main articles: Punjabi culture, Punjabi people, Punjabi festivals, Punjabi clothing, and Punjabi Tamba and Kurta

The culture of Punjab is rich and colorful. It includes lively music like bhangra, many kinds of dances, a long tradition of poetry in the Punjabi language, and a big film industry that started long ago. Punjab is also known for its tasty food, which people all over the world enjoy. Festivals such as Lohri, Vaisakhi, and Teeyan are celebrated by everyone, along with important religious holidays.

A kissa is a special way of telling stories in Punjabi, with roots from places like the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, and Afghanistan.

Punjabi wedding traditions are full of colorful rituals, songs, dances, delicious food, and beautiful clothes that have been loved for many years.

Bhangra

Main article: Folk dances of Punjab

Bhangra and Giddha are exciting dances and music that started in the Punjab region. Bhangra began as a dance by farmers to celebrate harvesting crops. The moves copy how they worked on the land. Today, Bhangra is popular all around the world. People in countries like England, Canada, and the US hold competitions and shows to enjoy this dance. It is a way for many to share South Asian culture.

Punjabi folklore

Main articles: Punjabi folklore and Folk instruments of Punjab

Punjab has many old stories and songs passed down for thousands of years. People speak in different dialects like Malwai, Doabi, and Puadhi. Famous tales include Mirza Sahiban, Heer Ranjha, and Sohni Mahiwal. There are also mystic songs and religious hymns by Sikh gurus and Baba Farid.

Literature

See also: Punjabi literature

Punjabi literature often starts with poems, and later includes stories too. The language is written in scripts like Shahmukhi and Gurmukhī.

Music

See also: Music of Punjab, Folk music of Punjab, and Bhangra (music)

Punjabi Folk Music uses traditional instruments from the Punjab area. Bhangra music of Punjab is known worldwide. Punjab’s music includes many styles like folk, Sufi, and classical, such as the Punjab gharana and Patiala gharana.

Film industry

See also: Cinema of Punjab

Punjab has a busy film industry called 'Pollywood', mainly based in Mohali. The first Punjabi film was made in 1936, and since the 2000s, more films are being made each year with bigger budgets and famous actors.

Crafts

The city of Amritsar is known for making beautiful items from brass and copper, a craft done by the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru. This special work is listed by UNESCO as important cultural heritage. The Government of Punjab is helping to bring this craft back to life.

Cuisine

Main articles: Punjabi cuisine and Punjabi dhabha

Punjabi food has many different dishes. Some are eaten every day, while others are special treats. Restaurant food often uses a lot of ghee. Popular dishes include Sarson Da Saag, Tandoori chicken, Shami kebab, and makki di roti.

Festivals and traditions

See also: List of Sikh festivals, Punjabi festivals, and List of Hindu festivals in Punjab

Punjabis celebrate many festivals that are enjoyed by everyone, no matter their religion. These include Bandi Chhor Divas (Diwali), Mela Maghi, Hola Mohalla, Rakhri, Vaisakhi, Lohri, Gurpurb, Guru Ravidass Jayanti, Teeyan, and the Basant Kite Festival.

Sports

Main article: Sports in Punjab, India

Punjab, India has many popular sports. Kabbadi (Circle Style), a team sport started in the countryside, is the official state game. Field hockey is also widely enjoyed. Every year, the Kila Raipur Sports Festival, called the Rural Olympics, takes place near Ludhiana. People compete in fun rural games like cart racing and rope pulling.

The Punjab government organizes big events such as the World Kabaddi League, Punjab Games, and the Kabaddi World Cup for Circle Style Kabbadi. Teams from many countries, including Sierra Leone, take part. The Punjab state basketball team has won the National Basketball Championship many times, most recently in 2019 and 2020.

Tourism

Main articles: List of Monuments of National Importance in Punjab; Tourism in Punjab, India; and Tourism in Amritsar

Punjab is a special place for visitors because of its old palaces, battle sites, and beautiful buildings. One of the most famous spots is the Golden Temple in Amritsar, which many people visit. Other interesting places include old forts, temples, and museums that tell stories from history. Festivals like Hola Mohalla also draw visitors to enjoy the culture and traditions of the area.