Jalandhar City – Punjab
Jalandhar City is located in Punjab, India. In Mahabharta time it was known as Prasthala and during British era it was called as Jullundur. The city is located in Jalandhar district.
It is the oldest city of Punjab region and historical reference of this city is found even in A.D. 100. Alexander the Great marked this territory as his empire and erected giant altars in this region.
When Harsha Vardhana was reigning in India in the 7th century then well known Chinese traveller and pilgrim Hiuen Tsiang visited here. At that time Raja Utito was ruling over the kingdom of Jalandhara which was known as ‘Trigarta’ in that era. Kingdom of Jalandhara was extended further and plains of Sirhind and hills states of Mandi, Suket and Chamba were included in it. Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsiang visited Jalandhar city in that period when it was a large city and used to function as the capital of Rajput kingdom. Raja Utito was working under the reign of Harsh Vardhana.
Rajput Rajas had ruled over India till 12th century with some interruptions but their capital was Jalandhar and Kangra.
When Buddhism was spreading in India then people of Jalandhar adopted it at large scale and many Viharas of Buddhism were made there. Even Nath movement was supported in the city and a famous saint Jalandhar Nath was also belonging to the city whose samadhi was built after his death.
In the past many rulers such as Rajput Rajas, Ibrahim Shah, Mughals and Durranis etc. have ruled over the Punjab region but Jalandhar City played an important role in their ruling period.
Punjab state was divided between both countries India and Pakistan during partition after independence and many Rajputs went to live on Pakistan sides of Punjab and many decided to settle in India.
Sikhs conquered Jalandhar in 1757 and later on it went under the reign of Ranjit Singh. British got control over Jalandhar in 1846 after the first Anglo-Sikh Wars and Jalandhar was made headquarters of their acquired territory.
Climate of the Jalandhar city is humid subtropical. During winter the city gets too cold and temperature could go down up to 5 °C and summers are hot and temperatures could go up upto 48 °C.
People of different casts and creeds reside in Jalandhar and mostly Sikhs lives in the state. Holi, Diwali, Dusshera, Guru Nanak Jayanti and birth of other Sikhs Gurus are celebrated in the city.
There are many places such as Devi Talab Mandir, Imam Nasir Mausoleum and Jamma Masjid, Tulsi Mandir, Shiv Mandir, Wonder Land and St Mary’s Cathedral Church etc. which attracts the tourists.
There are many good hospitals such as Thind Eye Hospital, Tagore Hospital, Mahajan Eye Hospital, Lajwanti Hospital, Guru Nanak Mission Hospital etc. are located in the city. Some of the hospitals are marked on the World map.
Jalandhar is also famous for manufacturing leather tool pouches and aprons, buyers from different countries buys them from the factories. Large numbers of sports materials are also made and supplied from here to India.
India’s first high-yield wheat, Kalyan was developed from this city and the famous scientist Dr. Dilbag Singh Athwal was behind this innovation.
Many famous electrical industries are built in the city and some of them are including Hazel India, Apex Electricals etc. Jalandhar city is also known for its sports brands such as Vampire, Bhaseen’s Baspo, BAS, Syndicate Sports etc. at the world level and international sports market is also exists here.
Many posh localities such as Model Town, Jawahar Nagar, Master Mota Singh Nagar and Udham Singh Nagar are situated in the city.
Punjabi language is used for communication in Jalandhar and it is also an official language. Though people from different parts of India are also settled here so now Hindi, English, Himachali are also spoken by people living there.
Jalandhar is a well developed city and there is good facility of education available for students. Many schools and Colleges are built here for providing higher education to the students.
The city has modern amenities and is well connected from other cities of India via rail and road.