Muktsar district General information

Situated at a distance of 45 kms from Faridkot, Muktsar is famous for its Sikh shrines.Muktsar also has a number of Gurudwaras such as Tutti Gandi Sahib, Tibbi Sahib, Tambu Sahib etc. which- commemorate incidents from the life of Guru Gobind Singh ji. Gurudawara janamsthan Guru Angad Dev ji and Gurudawara Chhateana Sahib also situated in Muktsar district

History

Muktsar City, the district headquarter of Muktsar district is a historical city. It is intimately connected with Sikh religion . Guru Gobind Singh Ji, fought his last battle against Mughals in 1705 A.D. at Muktsar. During fighting, 40 disciples of Guru Ji know as ‘40 Muktas’ ( 40 liberated ones ) sacrificed their lives. These 40 Sikhs were those who insisted that Guru Ji should leave the Anandpur Sahib fort, when it was besieged by Mughal army. Guru Ji had than asked these followers to leave him if they so desired but they should give him in written that he is not their guru and they are not his Sikh i.e. followers. When these Sikhs returned to their homes in Majha territory of Punjab, they were not welcomed by family members as they had left the Guru at time of trouble. They were overcome by shame and not in a position to face Guru Gobind Singh Ji again. On learning that Guru Ji was in region of present Muktsar the 40 Sikhs lead by Bhai Mahan Singh and accompanied by Mai Bhago, an illustrious lady in Sikh history, left their homes to help him. At that time Mughal army was searching for Guru ji. A pitched battle was fought near a pond called Khidrane di Dhab. The 40 sikhs fought valiantly for guru ji and achieved martyrdom. The outcome was in favour of Sikhs. Mughal forces failed in capturing or harming Guru Sahib and fled from battle field. After the battle was over, Guru Ji visited the battle field. One of the 40 Sikhs, Sardar Mahan Singh was about to die, Guru Ji took his head in his arms and asked what did he want? Sardar Mahan Singh requested Guru Ji to tear the paper (Bedawa), they had given to him at Anandpur Sahib ‘you are not our guru and we are not your followers’. On this Guru Ji tore the bedawa . These 40 Sikhs were henceforth called 40 Muktas. The city that grew at the site of the battle was called Muktsar after them. Mela Maghi, a famous fair of Punjab, is celebrated at Muktsar on next day after Lohri every year as a tribute to those 40 Muktsar.

Location

Muktsar District is located in South Western Zone of Punjab. It lies between 30? 69’ and 29? 87’ latitude and 74? 21’ and 74? 86’ longitude. It is bounded by States of Rajasthan and Haryana in the South, district Faridkot in North, Firozpur in West and Bathinda in the East ( Map 1 ).

Area

It covers an area of 2615 sq km, which constitutes 5.19 % area of Punjab

Climate

The Western Himalayas in the North and the Thar Desert in the South and Southwest mainly determine the climate conditions. The South -western mansoon brings the much needed rain bearing depression during summer (July to September). Nearly 70 % of rainfall is received during three months ( July to September) , when South Western monsoons are active in the region. There is wide seasonal temperature variation with Mean Monthly Maximum Temperature being as high as 45 degree C in June and Mean Monthly Minimum Temperature as low as 2 degreeC in January. The major part of the district qualify for aridic (torric) moisture regime according to the criteria laid in Soil Taxonomy. Soil moisture regime computations employing the Newhall mathematical model indicate that the area has 'weak aridic' moisture regime(Van Wambeke, 1985). In the aridic (torric) moisture regime, the moisture control section in the most of the year is dry in all parts for more than half the time (cumulative). (Source - Resource ATLAS, Muktsar)
Population

According to census of 2001, Muktsar has total population of 7,77,493. The percentage of rural population to the total population is 74.46% . Muktsar has population density of 297 persons per sq. Km compared to 484 persons per sq km of the Punjab, which is the lowest in Punjab. There are 891 women for every 1000 men in the district. The Scheduled Castes form 37.75% of the total population in this district. The population of Muktsar District has increased at the rate of 18.80% from 1991 to 2001 against 20.10% for the whole state.

Fairs And Festivals

A mammoth gathering takes place every year on occasion of Maghi Mela celebrated after next day of Lohri in January when a fair is organized to commemorate the velour of 40 Muktas. These Muktas sacrificed their lives at Battle of Khidrana fought between Mughal army and 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Pilgrims take bath in the sacred tank on the occasion. The whole town wears a festive look at the time of Mela.

A big cattle fair is held at village Lambi Dhab on the occasion of Maghi Mela. The good breed horses, for which Muktsar is famous throughout Punjab, are showcased at the fair.