Introduction

Jalandhar is the oldest districts in the state of Punjab. The district is located at about eighty four kilometers to the southeast of Amritsar on the Grand Trunk Road while going to Kolkata. It is also one of the foremost producers of sports goods in India. The iron and steel re-rolling mills, automobile parts, electric goods, rubber goods, and handloom products and sewing machine factories are well-known. The name `Jalandhar` has been derived from a demon king with the same name, who finds a mention in the Indian Puranas and Mahabharata. As per another legend, Jalandhar happens to be the capital of the kingdom of Lav, one of the sons of Lord Rama. There is still another saying that, Jalandhar got its name from one of the terms in the vernacular called, `Jalandhar` which means a region inside the water, i.e. a pathway positioned in between the two rivers called Beas and Sutlej. Jalandhar is placed at a distance of one hundred and forty six kilometres from the capital city of Chandigarh.

History of Jalandhar District

History of Jalandhar District comprises three periods - ancient, medieval and modern. According to the history of Jalandhar District, in ancient time, the district comprised the whole of the Upper Doabas from Ravi River to Sutlej River. According to the Padama Purana, the district takes its name from the demon king Jalandhara. The whole of Punjab and the area of present Jalandhar District was part of the Indus Valley Civilization. Harappa and Mohenjodaro are the sites where remains of the Indus Valley Civilization have been found extensively. The archaeological explorations made during the recent years have pushed the ancient times of Jalandhar District of Harappa period.

Further, the early history of Jalandhar District states that this entire district was a part of the vast areas covered under the Indus Valley Civilization during the early period of history. This civilization developed prior to the Aryan Civilization in this region. The excavations done in Jalandhar District have revealed the imprints of Harappa culture in east Punjab. The earliest historical mention of Jalandhar District occurs in the region of Kanishka. From the later half of the tenth century up to 1019 AD, the district was included in the Shahi Kingdom of Punjab and Jalandhar was an important city in the region.

As per the medieval history of Jalandhar District, Jalandhar was always the capital of Doaba which then extended to the neighbourhood of Multan Under the Mughal Emperors. In 1766 AD Jalandhar fell into the hands of the Sikh Misal of the Faizullapuria, then under Khushal Singh. His son Budh Singh, who succeeded him, built a masonry fort in the city, the site of which is now occupied by Killa Mohalla while several of the other leaders built forts of bricks. In 1811, Diwan Mohkam Chand was sent by Maharaja Ranjit Singh to annex the Faizullapuria possession in the Jalandhar Doaba. In the first Anglo Sikh War (1845-46 AD), there was no significant military event in Jalandhar Doaba. The army of Sardar Ranjodh Singh Majithia marched through Doaba and was joined by the troops of Ahluwalia chief. After the battle, the region between Sutlej and Beas River was ceded to the British.

The modern history of Jalandhar District recalls that John Lawrance was appointed commission of Jalandhar Doaba on its annexation in 1846. Cantonments were built at Jalandhar, Phillaur, Nakodar and Kartarpur. Further, railway line from Beas to Jalandhar was opened in 1869 and was completed up to Phillour by next year. The Doaba was linked to the rest of Punjab by railway bridges, constructed over Beas in 1869 and over Sutlej in 1870. With a view of stimulate political activity, the District Congress Committee was formed in the year 1917. It was affiliated to the Punjab Provincial Congress Committee. The Delegates of the District Congress Committee, Jalandhar attended the Provincial Political Conference held at Lahore in 1917. The Rowlatt Act was passed in March 1919.

Modern history of Jalandhar District also states that Khilafat Movement was started in the district in early 1920 to bring pressure upon British rulers to change their policy towards Turkey. Mahatma Gandhi extended sympathy and support to this movement. Jalandhar District was declared `Proclaimed Area` under the Seditious meetings Act. After the independence of the country, however the district was affected by communal riots and exodus of minority communities from both sides of the border, consequent upon the partition of the country.

Geography of Jalandhar District

Jalandhar district is situated on the highly irrigated plain, lying between the Sutlej River and Beas River. The district, which possesses major rail and road connections, also acts as a market for various agricultural products. The manufactures include leather goods, textiles, wood products, and sporting goods. The district is 350 kilometres away from Delhi on the Delhi-Amritsar Highway. Jalandhar is bordered by the district of Ludhiana in the East, Hosiharpur in the North, Kapurthala in the West and the district of Ferozepur in the South. It is conveniently connected by train and road.

Climate of Jalandhar District

The month of June is normally counted as the hottest month where the maximum mean daily temperature is about 41§C and the minimum mean daily temperature is at 27§C. With the arrival of monsoon by the last of the month of June or in the beginning of July, temperature during day drops down substantially. However, nights in summer remain warm. As a result of huge gathering of moisture in the monsoon air, the type of weather is generally uncomfortable and sultry, in between these rains. The month of January is normally considered to be the coldest month when maximum mean daily temperature is about 19§C and the minimum mean daily temperature is about 6§C. In winter, cold waves hit the district of Jalandhar in the back of western disturbances and the minimal temperature at times, goes below the freezing point of water.

The climate in general is dry apart from the brief south-west monsoon season. With the year being divided into four seasons, the cold season starts from mid-November till the starting of the month of March. The succeeding time till the end of June in the summer season, July, August and September`s first half forms the South-West monsoon season. From mid-September till the mid-November is the transition or post monsoon period.

In the Jalandhar district, the average annual rainfall is 703.0 mm. In this district, rainfall normally starts to increase from the south-west to the north-east and differ from 892.3 mm at Adampur to 551.3 mm at Nakodar. At times, rain falls like thunder showers in the month of June and in alliance with passing western disturbances in the winter season.

Demography of Jalandhar District

As per the 2001 Census provisional, Jalandhar district possesses an area of 3,401 square kilometers and the district holds a total population of 19,53,508 persons including 9,26,973 females and 10,26,535 males.

Culture of Jalandhar District

The culture of India is a synthetic amalgam of various ideologies. Fairs form a burning symbol of the cultural life in India. The People of Punjab are fond of festivals and fairs. People belonging to all communities take part in the fairs. Some of the major fairs in the district of Jalandhar include the Hariballabh Sangeet Mela, which is organized to commemorate the sant-musician, Swami Hariballabh at Devi Talab in close proximity to the Samadhi of the saint, every year, from the 27th of December to the 30th of December. Musicians and classical singers of repute from various parts of the country take part in this fair. The Fair of Baba Sodal is linked with Sodal, a small boy respected as a baby-God. This fair is organized mourn his death anniversary at his Samadhi. It is held in Bhadon month which matches with the middle parts of the month of September.

Administration of Jalandhar District

The district of Jalandhar comprises of 5 tehsils/subdivisions including Phillaur, Jalandhar-I, Jalandhar II, Nakodar and Shahkot. Apart from these, the district has 5 sub-tehsils which include Adampur, Nurmahal, Bhogpur, Goryan and Kartarpur. Jalandhar is divided into ten development blocks including Jalandhar West, Jalandhar East, Bhogpur, Adampur, Shahkot, Lohian, Nakodar, Phillaur, Nurmahal and Rurka Kalan. As per the 2000-2001 figures of the Statistical Office of the district, the district possesses 956 inhabited villages.

Education in Jalandhar District

There are a number of educational institutions in the district of Jalandhar. Among them, Kanya Maha Vidyalaya was the most prominent one. It was founded by Local Arya Samaj in the year 1886, as a school for girls, and named as Kanya Maha Vidyalaya in the year 1896. Beginning as a school, the college later attained the status of a Post Graduate Institution. Courses offered in this college include Arts, Science and Commerce up to degree level with honours in Hindi, English, Punjabi and Psychology and masters degree in Hindi, English and Music (Instrumental and Vocal). Another college in Jalandhar is the Lyallpur Khalsa College, which was founded in the year 1908, at Lyallpur in Pakistan. The college was shifted in the wake of India`s partition in the year 1947, and reopened in Jalandhar in the year 1948. Courses offered in this college include Science (Non Medical and Medical), Arts and Commerce till degree level. B.Sc. in Economics is also offered in this college. It also offers post-graduate instructions in Political Science, Punjabi, Economics, History and Mathematics. PG Diploma in Marketing Management, Industrial Relations and Personal Management, Diploma in Agriculture Marketing Management, Diploma in Business Management and Diploma in Labour Laws and Personal Management are also provided in the college. Various other educational institutions in Jalandhar include Doaba College, Jalandhar, Government Arts & Sports College, Jalandhar, Banarsi Dass Arya Girls College, Jalandhar Cantonment, Government Collage of Education, Jalandhar, University College, Jalandhar, etc.

Economy of Jalandhar District

Jalandhar is the biggest in the world for manufacturing leather tool pouches and aprons with major European and American customers purchasing from several factories in Jalandhar. The district was also a hub of the Green revolution of India in the 60s. It is also famous for its electrical goods industry. Manufacturers like Apex Electricals and Standard Switchgears are situated in Jalandhar district. Jalandhar is also home to the International sports market. Apart from the industrial hubs, Jalandhar is also famous for the organization of festivals.

Tourism in Jalandhar District

Tourism in Jalandhar District mainly boasts of its historic monuments. Prominent among them are the mausoleum of Imam Nasir, the fort at Phillaur which once served as Maharaja Ranjit Singh`s line of defence against the British, a Shiv Mandir which dates back to the Lodhi era, Devi Talab Mandir, Tombs at Nakodar, Sarai at Nurmahal, Gurudwara at Kartarpur, etc. All these tourist attractions of Jalandhar District are worth exploring.

Details of some of the major attractions of this district are given below -

Devi Talab Mandir: It is situated in the heart of Jalandhar City. The old Devi Talab has been renovated and, in its centre, a new temple has been built. An old temple of Goddess Kali also stands besides Devi Talab.

Tulsi Mandir: An ancient monument in the city is the temple of Vrinda, wife of Jalandhara. It is now also known as Tulsi Mandir. On one side of the temple is a tank which is said to have been the bathing place of demon Jalandhara. At some distance is the temple of Gupha, with the image of Annapurna, the goddess of plenty, inside it. Also nearby lies the Brahm Kund and a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Near the Valmiki gate is the Sheetla Mandir, said to be as old as the city itself. Within its premises there are two small old temples of Lord Hanuman and Lord Shiva.

Shiv Mandir: Situated at Gur Mandi, Shiv Mandir is reputed to have been built by Nawab of Sultanpur Lodhi near Masjid Imam Nasar.

Gurdwara Chhevin Padshahi: Guru Har Gobind visited the city of Jalandhar during his tour of Doaba area. Gurdwara Chhevin Padshahi in Basti Shaikh stands on the spot where met a holy saint popularly known as Shaikh Darvesh.

Shaheed-E-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Museum: A museum at Khatkal Kalan, the native village of great Martyr Bhagat Singh, was inaugurated on his 50th death anniversary. To pay homage to the great revolutionary martyrs of the Punjab, who laid down their lives for the liberation of the country, all their memorable belongings are displayed here. A copy of Bhagavad Gita having Bhagat Singh`s signature which was handed over to him in Lahore Jail and his other personal belongings are displayed here.

Gurudwara at Kartarpur: Gurudwara at Kartarpur (16 kms from Jalandhar town) was built by 5th Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev in 1656 AD. Every year, a fair is held on the birth anniversary of this Guru when a large number of devotees gather to pay homage.

A few other places of Jalandhar District worth mentioning are a Sanyas Ashram (popularly known as Bahrian-da-Talab), Nathan-Di Bagichi, Darbar Muhammad Jamal Zahra, Baba Jhandianala, shrines of Baba Lakki Shah Pir and Dargah Pir Hazi Shah Qutab. Outside Nakodar town, there are two fine Mohammedan tombs situated close together. One of these tombs was built in 1612 AD in the beginning of the reign of Jahangir and the other in 1657 AD towards the close of the reign of Shah Jahan. Jalandhar has been in the thick of the fight for freedom from the British Raj and has produced many patriots. Desh-Bhagat Memorial Hall has been constructed here to perpetuate the memory of such martyrs. These tourist sites attract people from all corners of the country.