Kapurthala District is one of the smallest administrative districts of Punjab with its headquarters located at Kapurthala city. Kapurthala District is in many ways a unique and harmonious blend of the glorious past, pulsating present and a promising future. Guru Nanak sahib spent 14 years of his life in this town, meditated under the Ber tree (which still exists) and journeyed from here to various parts of the world spreading the message of oneness. As per 2001 Census, total population of the district is 754,521, out of which rural population is 507994 and urban population is 246527. Total area occupied by Kapurthala District is 1633 sq kms (rural area is 1554 sq kms and urban area is 79 sq kms.
History of Kapurthala District
What is probably the single most significant historical event of this region is the enlightenment of Guru Nanak in the year 1499, while bathing in the Bein rivulet, in the little town of Sultanpur Lodhi. It is after receiving this grace that he sowed the seeds of Sikh faith from here. The vestiges of the royalty that ruled the region still gloriously mark the present day city of Kapurthala. It was one of the first cities in Punjab to get modern amenities like sewerage, drinking water and communication systems, which still work.
Tourism in Kapurthala District
There are several places of tourist interest in Kapurthala District. The spectacular Jagatjit Palace styled after the French palace of Versailles is like a bejeweled crown in the landscape of Punjab. The unique Moorish Mosque, Shalimar garden, Panj Mandir, the stately Durbar Hall, the beautiful Kamera garden complex etc., are some major places of tourist attraction in this district. The other tourist attractions like the picturesque Kanjli Wetland Bird Sanctuary near Kapurthala and Pushpa Gujral Science City add more charm to the entire travelling experience. Pushpa Gujral Science City is Kapurthala`s other major attraction with a touch of modernity.
Uniqueness about Kapurthala District is that it is probably the only district in the country, one part of which (Phagwara) lies in the centre of another district that is Jalandhar District. Phagwara is a thriving industrial town located between Ludhiana and Jalandhar. In many ways Phagwara leads the rest of Kapurthala District into the realm of growth and economic prosperity.
