Punjab is one of the states in northern India that is known for its rich history and deep cultural heritage. It is bordered by Pakistan and the states of
Jammu and Kashmir,
Himachal Pradesh,
Haryana and
Rajasthan. The people speak
Punjabi language. This heroic land bore numerous invasions, and after all its suffering, did not entirely lose its glory and its strength. The Harappan civilization developed in Punjab and its culture spread to Iran, Afghanistan, Baluchistan, and north western parts of South Asia.
British invasion in the country had political, cultural, philosophical and literary effects in the state of Punjab. During the freedom movement of the country, Punjab played a role worthy of its name. Many heroes emerged from the land of Punjab such as
Lala Lajpat Rai, Ajit Singh,
Bhagat Singh, Uddham Singh, Bhal Parmanand and a host of others. Since independence, life in Punjab proves to be tragic and traumatic. The partition resulted in riots and terror, which tore up millions of homes and destroyed many lives.
History of Punjab
The region has been invaded and ruled by many different empires and races, including the Aryans, Persians, Greeks, Egyptians, Afghans, and Mongols. Punjab is the cradle of the Indus Valley Civilization, more than 4000 years old. Archaeological excavations, throughout the state, have revealed evidences of the magnificent cities of
Harappa and
Mohenjodaro that existed along the banks of the mighty
Indus River and its tributaries. Mahabharata, which narrates life between the 7th and 5th centuries BC, contains rich descriptions of the land and people of Punjab at that time. Around the time of the 15th century,
Guru Nanak founded the Sikh religion, which quickly came to prominence in the region, and shortly afterwards,
Maharaja Ranjit Singh reformed Punjab into a secular and powerful state. The 19th century saw the beginning of British rule, which led to the emergence of several heroic freedom fighters. In 1947, at the end of British rule, the Punjab was split between Pakistan and India.
Geography of Punjab
Most of the region in Punjab is an alluvial plain, bounded by mountains in the north. Despite its dry conditions, it is a rich agricultural area due to the extensive irrigation made possible by the great river system traversing it. Punjab is considered as the wealthiest state in the country per capita, with most of the revenue generated from agriculture. Punjab is bounded on the west by Pakistan, on the north by
Jammu and Kashmir, on the northeast by Himachal Pradesh and on the south by
Haryana and Rajasthan. Punjab extends from the latitudes 29 degree 30 minutes north to 32 degree 32 minutes north and longitudes 73 degree 55 minutes east to 76 degree 50 degree east
Education in Punjab
Punjab is ranked seventh in terms of education amongst the states. The Higher Education Department, Government of Punjab provides education from Inter to Postgraduate level in various disciplines through approximately 361 Colleges functioning in the eight divisions under the supervision and guidance of the Secretary Education, Government of the Punjab. The total includes around 76 Inter, almost 218 Degree and 67 Postgraduate Institutions.
Economy of Punjab
Since the recent liberalisation of India`s economy, Punjab has started making its mark on the global business, with major players from around the world forming joint ventures in the field of agri-business. An economy can be broadly divided into three sectors namely: the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors. Mainly the economy of Punjab is dependent on agriculture. Agriculture is the most important constituent of the primary sector including forestry, animal husbandry, mining and fishing. The secondary sector contains all types of industries and tertiary sectors represents the services sector includes banking, insurance, trade, and other service. The primary sector is the backbone of the economy and economic development of the most of the nations of the world.
Tourism in Punjab
Punjab, the land of five rivers and integrated cultural history, is a treasure trove for an enthusiastic tourist. This land not only boasts of ancient monuments but throbs with historical embodiments. It is known for the Golden Temple. Punjab also offers tours to sanctuaries, which is the popular destination of migratory birds. All the tourist spots of Punjab are worth seeing.
Demography of Punjab
The total population of Punjab is 2, 77, and 04,236 as per 2011 census. The male population is 1, 46, 34,819. The female population is 1, 30, 69,417. The literacy rate of the state is 76.7%. Male literacy rate is 81.5% and female literacy rate is 71.3%.
(Last Updated on : 29/08/2011)