Punjab

About Punjab

Punjab is a well-known state in India that is located at the northwest end of the country. This state has gained recognition as the 'land of five rivers'. The five rivers are Sutlej, Ravi, Beas, Chenab and Jhelum. The state of Punjab acts as a clear demarcation of India from the neighbouring country Pakistan. The major cities that form an integral part of the state include Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Bathinda and Anandpur Sahib. Apart from the aforementioned cities, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran Sahib and Patiala also are situated in the state of Punjab. This state is primarily agriculture-based due to the presence of abundant water sources and fertile soils.

It is bounded on its north by the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir, on its east by Himachal Pradesh and the Union territory of Chandigarh, on its south by Haryana and Rajasthan, and on its west by Pakistan. The city of Chandigarh is the joint administrative capital of Punjab and Haryana.

Facts on Punjab
Official Website www.punjabgovt.gov.in
Date of Formation Nov 1, 1966
Area 50,362 sq km
Density 550/Km2
Total Population (2011) 27,743,338
Males Population (2011) 14,639,465
Females Population (2011) 13,103,873
Ratio of Urban Population (2011) 37.49%
No. of District 22
Capital Chandigarh
Rivers Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Govind Sagar
Forests & National Park Bir Moti Bagh WS, Harike WS, Bir Dosanjh WS
Languages Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Gurmukhi and English
Neighbours State Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan
State Animal Black Buck
State Bird Northern Goshawk
State Tree Shisham
Net State Domestic Product (2011) 69737
Literacy Rate (2011) 82.20%
Females per 1000 males 893
Assembly constituency 119
Parliamentary constituency 13

History

Regarding the historical background, it is possible to claim that the state primarily formed a site of the Indus Valley Civilization. Archaeological excavations performed during historical times have brought to light the fact that the cities of this state were a major part of the Harappa and Mohenjodaro, now a part of Pakistan. The Mahabharata also contained rich information about the land and people of the state. The location of the state was such that it came under constant attack and influence. The state of Punjab had to bear with such attacks from both the eastern and western regions. Different communities such as Afghans, Persians, Scythians, Greeks and Turks regularly invaded the state, thus resulting in bitter bloodshed. The culture combines the influences of different communities including Buddhist, British, Sikh, Hindu, Afghan and Islamic. Punjab suffered the most when India got divided. Most of the destruction and damage occurred in this state of northern part of India.More Detail >>

Geography

As far as the geographic aspect is concerned, the state of Punjab is located in the Northwestern part of India, encompassing a total area of approximately 50,362 square kilometers. The latitudinal and longitudinal extension of the state covers 29.30 degrees north to 32.32 degrees north and 73.55 degrees east to 76.50 degrees east respectively. The major portion of the state is situated in an alluvial and fertile plain. The fact that there are many rivers and an extensive irrigation canal system augurs well for the agricultural sector. However, it needs to be mentioned that the southwest part of the state is semi-arid and finally merges well along with the Thar Desert. You can always find the Shivalik Hills to merge well along the Northeastern part of the state. The Shivalik Hills extend till the foot of the Himalayan Mountains.

Government and Politics

The government of Punjab is the governing authority of the state. Like other states in India, the government of Punjab also has three branches - executive, judiciary and legislative. Punjab also follows the parliamentary system of government with the Chief Minister as the head of the state. There are 117 members in the legislative assembly of the state who are elected for a term of five years. Punjab sends 13 members to the Lok Sabha and seven members to the Rajya Sabha.

Education

Punjab is one of the few states that has gained recognition as one of the leading states in the education system. A recent survey has brought to light the fact that Punjab has responded in an active manner to that of the 'Sarva Shiksha Program' - a national expedition that primarily makes an effort to drive illiteracy. It indeed is an encouraging aspect that owing to the continuous effort made on the part of the Indian government, the present literacy rate stands at about seventy seven percent. There can indeed be no second thought to the fact that the tireless and continuous effort made on the part of both the central as well as the state government, quality education has been imparted to a majority of individuals. The education system is managed in a hierarchical form. The three tiers that exist in the primary education include primary education, secondary education and college education.

Economy and infrastructure

The state of Punjab has also gained true recognition among all individuals due to the presence of forestry, tourism, agriculture, industries and minerals. Livestock is also one of the other key highlights of the state. However, the state of Punjab has scarcity as far as basic minerals and fuels are concerned. This is one of the prime factors behind the poor rate of industrial development. Agriculture has been always a strong point as far as the economy of the state is concerned. The state has indeed made a huge impact in the overall economy of the country as far as production of wheat is concerned. A few of the agriculture-based industries you can always associate with the state include paper, wood, beverages and food products. More Detail >>

Demographics

The state boasts of Sikhs occupying more than sixty percent of the entire population. Some of the other communities that form a major part of the state include Hindu, Jains, Muslims, Christians and many other communities. A large part of the Sikh community that forms an integral part of the state comprise of the Jat Sikhs. In the year 2011, the population of the state was 2,77,43,338. No less than twenty percent of the entire population of the state has migrated from different regions in India. There is a constant decline in the sex ratio. The survey reveals the fact that the sex ratio has witnessed a significant drop in the last twenty years.

Society and Culture

The culture of the state of Punjab is diverse. The culture of the state bears a true reflection of the multidimensional heritage pertaining to the ancient civilizations. A majority of all tourists is equally fascinated in coming to terms with the unique charm that the festivals of the state reflect. A few of the prime ingredients that prove to be an integral part of the festival include popular dance forms, fun-loving folktales and flamboyant clothes. The festivals boast of their own unique charisma and features different forms of recreational activities such as Baisakhi, Bhangra and Gidda. A majority of all the festivals that associate with the state of Punjab bears a true reflection of immense energy. The festivals and culture seem to delight one and all tourists who plan to visit the beautiful land. The contemporary pleasures that you can relate to this particular state are a few of the other reasons behind the state being as the ultimate paradise for a majority of tourists.More Detail >>

Punjab Tourism

There can be least denying the fact that Punjab is not far behind as far as tourism is concerned. The fact that the Indian city of Punjab boasts of history, cuisine and culture are a few of the prime reasons as to why tourists are more than excited in visiting the state. A few of the cities that experience excellent tourist transportation include Patiala, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Ludhiana. The healthy public transportation of the state is one of the other motivating factors behind the increase in the number of tourists, thus thronging every city of the state. Tourists can expect to gain the ultimate thrill of a number of motivating factors including history, spirituality, culture and an ancient civilization. A few of the other attractions that seem to delight every concerned tourist include shrines, temples, historic battle sites and mesmerizing examples of Sikh architecture. More Detail >>

Language

Punjabi language holds its origin from the ancient language of Sanskrit. It is similar to that of the many Indo-Aryan languages that hold the same origin. There are many dialects that are associated with the Punjabi language. However, the dialects that remain associated with the language holds a fair degree of similarity to one another. Every speaker can easily grasp the other dialects. Some of the major dialects spoken in Punjab include Majhi, Pwadhi, Malwi and Doabi. The most important dialect of the state is Majhi. More than ninety three percent of individuals who speak Punjabi as their first language reside in Pakistan and India. There can be no second thought to the fact that it indeed is also one of the widely spoken native languages in Pakistan. The western Punjabi dialects include Riasti, Shah Puri, Pahari, Pothohari, Multani and Derawali.

Transport

The different modes of transport such as cycle-rickshaws, buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws have indeed proved to be of immense help for the people residing in the state. Tourists can also benefit to a great extent by enjoying perfect accessibility to different parts of the state. The main mode of transportation that a majority of all individuals resort to includes railways and roadways. If you are interested in travelling from one particular city to the other, there can be no better option as compared to trains. Almost every major and small city of the state is connected through railways. There is also an international airport in Amritsar and few domestic airports which connects the state to other cities.

WBST111114GP

EBAKB121114