Jalandhar

State: Punjab

Main languages: Punjabi

District: Jalandhar 

 

History:

 

Jalandhar was previously known as Jullundur, and is an ancient city in the Jalandhar District. The city was the capital of Trigarttas or the people living in the "land between three rivers" of Ravi, Beas and Sutlej during the Mahabharata war. The oldest mention of the city was in the reign of Kanishka, the Kushan King of northern India. Hence along Multan, Jalandhar is the oldest surviving city of the Punjab region. History reveals that The Jalandhar Doab was the territory of the empire of Alexander the great. During the 7th century Chinese traveler and pilgrim Hiuen Tsang visited India and mentioned the city in his writings. According to the Chinese pilgrim Fa Hien, there were about 50 Viharas of Buddhism in Jalandhar Doab.

In 1750 AD Maharaja Ghamand Chandra of the Katoch dynasty was made the Nizam of Jalandhar. 

 

Geography:

 

Jalandhar is located at 31.33° N 75.58° E in Punjab and has an average elevation of 229 meters. The city is located about 375 km from Delhi. The city has ideal soil for vegetation and agriculture is one of the most important aspects of income here. The rich soil facilitates the growth of crops like wheat and sugarcane.

 

Climate:

 

Jalandhar has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cool winters. The months of summers are April to June and winter from November to February. The summers are very hot and the winters are very cold with lows of -5 degrees Celsius. The brief south-west monsoon season is from July to August with an average annual rainfall of about 70 cm.

 

Demographics:

 

As per the 2001 census of India Jalandhar had a population of 701,223 with 54% males and 46% females. The average literacy rate here is 74%.

 

Economy:

 

The city was the hub of green revolution of India in early 60s with agriculture being one of the main sources of income here. The city is also the world's biggest manufacturer of leather tool pouches and aprons. Many NRI's also invest in real estate here. The city is also one of the biggest consumers of flowers. The city is popular for its surgical tool industry and kits for the Cricket sport. There has also been growth in the technology investment sector here. Jalandhar is also the media and mass communication hub of the region.

 

Education:

 

The city has some of the major educational institutions of the region like the Lovely Professional University, Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Guru Nanak Dev University Regional Campus, Ladhewali, B.D. Arya Girls College, Lyallpur Khalsa College and the NIT Jalandhar or the National Institute of Technology.

 

Jalandhar city and cantonment:

 

The region is divided between the city and cantonment. The Vajra Go Carting is open to civilians also and is a big attraction. The construction of this cantonment had started in 1848 after the first Anglo-Sikh War and access to the area was limited to troops to quell disturbances from adjoining States. After partition the cantonment gained tremendous importance on account of its nearness to the border with Pakistan.

 

Tourism:

 

The best time to visit the city is in the spring or winters. The festivals of Lohri and Basant Panchami with kite flying are enjoyable here. There are various other places to see here like the Pushpa Gujral Science City, Devi Talab Mandir, Haveli and wonderland. The Harballabh Fair, Maa Chinmastika welfare Society, Baba Sodal Mela are some of the other places to see here. 

 

Transportation:

 

The city does not have an airport but is well connected through railways and roads.