Punjab is one of the states in northern India. This region in Northern India and the east side of Pakistan 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 of the Punjab are called Punjabis and they speak a language called Punjabi language. The three main religions of the state are Sikhism, Hinduism, and Islam. Many races of people and religions made up the cultural heritage of the Punjab. Punjab is the land where spiritual aspirations arise. This heroic land bore numerous invasions, and after all its suffering, did not entirely lose its glory and its strength. The Harappa civilization developed in Punjab and its culture spread to Iran, Afghanistan, Baluchistan, and northwestern parts of South Asia.

British invasion in the country had political, cultural, philosophical and literary effects in the state of Punjab. The opening of a new system of education introduced a new spirit in the life of the Punjabis. More people realised the greatness of Punjabi culture. 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. The massive migration resulting from the newly formed state of Pakistan created problems of uncontrollable size. The disappointed people set to work with no self-pity to plough fresh fields. They built new industries and became well known in sports. Punjab attained an important place in cultural, aesthetic, and literary work, and revived folk art, song, dance and drama. All of this has created a sense of pride and climate of involvement in the heritage of the Punjab.

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. It is believed that parts of the Ramayana too, were written around the Shri Ram Tirath Ashram, near Amritsar. Other great historical discoveries have been unearthed at Ropar, Kiratpur, Dholbaha, Rohira and Ghuram. These relics throw light on the culture and changing architectural styles of Punjab, since the Harappan age. At Sanghol, in Fatehgarh Sahib District near Ludhiana, sites associated with great Mauryan Dynasty, have yielded remarkable relics that record the presence of Buddhism in the region. 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. Due to the presence of a large number of rivers, most of the region in Punjab is a fertile plain. The southeast region of the state is semi-arid and gradually presents a desert landscape. A belt of undulating hills extends along the northeastern part of the state at the foot of the Himalaya Mountains.

People of Punjab
Enterprise and effort, these two words represent the essential spirit of the people of Punjab. Since Independence, the state has earned its nickname `Granary of India` through the enterprising spirit, and tireless labour of its people. Its average growth rate of 10 percent is amongst the highest in the country, clearly reflecting the progressive economy of the state. Punjab also boasts of 58 percent literacy rate and the highest per capita income in India. Through the folk expressions of the state, one can get a brief glance of the lives and culture of the people of Punjab. There is a great range of music, right from the time of birth to death, of love and separation of dance and celebration, of marriage and fulfillment. Culturally Punjab can be divided into three regions, Malwa, Majha and Doaba. Today Malwa represents the true spirit of Punjabi folk traditions. The Punjabi fold expression is so rich, so varied and so very flexible. It is a culture of generous, vast, large-hearted people, which is devoid of any devotion, and religious narrow mindedness of ideology.

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. Whoever comes to this land of yellow fields with Blue Mountains providing the idealistic and picturesque backdrop has never gone back without imbibing the essence of Punjab. There is no shortage of breathtaking palaces, for Punjab was the seat of royalty. Museums galore and so are the religious places with the Golden Temple offering assistance to the mind and soul of any one visiting. Punjab also offers tours to sanctuaries, which is the popular destination of migratory birds. All the tourist spots of Punjab are worth seeing.

With its unique style of transforming every possible opportunity into a success story, Punjab was the first to translate agricultural technology into the `green revolution`, recording highest growth rate in food production. From a minor producer it emerged as a major rice surplus state. Providing the momentum for the `White revolution`, during Operation Flood, it was Punjab that recorded the highest per capita availability of milk. Punjab has a number of small and medium industries and several large scale industries. It leads in the manufacture of machine and hand tools; printing and paper cutting machinery; auto parts and electrical switch gear.