Patiala district General information

Patiala district is one of the twenty districts in the state of Punjab in North-West India.

Location

Patiala District lies between 29 49’ and 30 47’ north latitude, 75 58’ and 76 54' east longitude, in the southeast part of the state.

Boundary

It is surrounded by Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar and Mohali to the north, Fatehgarh Sahib and Sangrur districts to the west, Ambala and Kurukshetra districts of neighbouring Haryana state to the east, and Kaithal district of Haryana to the south west.

Population

Patiala having a population of 1,844,934 is the 6th most populated district of the Punjab after Amritsar, Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, Sangrur and Jalandhar as per 2001 census.

History

Patiala is a unique place where History and Legend inextricably intermingle. The land of Patiala and its residents feel a sense of honour to be a part of this old-young ambience. Situated in the well-demarcated Malwa region of the state of Punjab, Patiala became and continues to be the heart-throb of the Malwa belt. Its position as the cultural and educational centre of Malwa will remain unchallenged in the times to come. Like all great cities of the world, Patiala’s proximity to rivers is a natural fact. The river Ghaggar flows through the district. Another seasonal rivulet, The Patiala Nadi, also makes its presence felt on the very threshold of the city. As a matter of fact, the prominence and glory of Patiala is unlikely to be dimmed since the city happens to be one of the nine cities selected for up gradation as a counter-magnet to Delhi in the National Capital Region.

Patiala has had the great fortune of being founded by the venerable saint-soldier Baba Ala Singh around the year 1763. Baba Ala Singh, who came from the Phulkian family, was a part of the Sikh Confederation that sacked and partitioned the erstwhile Mughal province of Sirhind. In this partition, Sirhind and its surrounding areas were allocated to Raja Ala Singh. As the legend goes, Baba Ala Singh visited this part looking for a possible site to construct his fort. During this visit, he came across a Muslin faqir (saint) who recommended the raising of the fort exactly at the site where it was later constructed. This is where the Qila Mubarak (the fort) stands to date. A Sikh ruler laying the foundation of his fort and town on the advice of a Muslim saint. What could be more open-hearted and elevating than this! Over the years this legend has acquired the contours and force of a historical fact. In any case, interestingly enough, the history of Patiala lies somewhere in the misty mixing of factuality and legend. Indeed, this imparts an inimitable aura of mystery and majesty to the city of Patiala. Till date, the city prides itself on its religious tolerance, generosity and ineradicably secular underpinnings.

Baba Ala Singh was succeeded by his grandson Amar Singh and in turn by a line of descendants who proved to be competent rulers, committed to the core, for the all-round development of Patiala. These powerful rulers put the city securely on the royal map of India by elevating it to a position of pre-eminence. In the early 19th century, the kingdom of Patiala entered into an alliance with the British. This brought about a long era of peace and prosperity to the city and its neighbouring areas. As luck would have it, after the revolt of 1857, many artists, artisans, administrators, musicians and chefs who had had no choice but to flee from the Mughal court shifted to the court at Patiala. This added tremendously to the prestige of the Patiala court and understandably heralded in the golden era of the state.

The next several decades saw Patiala reach the very pinnacle of its glory in fields as diverse as music, architecture, art, education, painting, masonry, crafts and culinary traditions. Not surprisingly, the loss of the former glory began with the Partition of India after Independence. But paradoxically enough, what Patiala lost in its royal mystique and splendour, it gained in its nationalist fervour and commitment to the democratic ideals of the Union of India. In the Darbar Hall of the Qila Mubarak Complex, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh of Patiala signed the historic Instrument of Accession with Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel making Patiala the first Royal State to join the Union of India. Once again, Patiala achieved another formidable first leaving hundreds of royals and far bigger royal states of pre-independence India well and truly behind. Later, Patiala regained some of its past glory when it became the capital of PEPSU (Patiala and East Punjab State Union). In 1956, with the merger of PEPSU and Punjab, Patiala ceased to be a capital city.

And yet, in many ways, the dizzying heights that Patiala had touched in art, architecture, and education and the remarkable feats it had accomplished in sports, administration and over-all progress in a matter of nearly two centuries as a royal state could neither get dimmed completely nor disappear altogether. If the glitter did vanish, the glory of the gold did remain behind, solid and unshakeable. Even after all this, Patiala was and still continues to be one of the four major cities of Punjab. Its status as the educational and the cultural centre of Punjab remains unchallenged even in the current times. It continues to be the pulse of the Malwa belt even now. In a way, it seems amazing that even the decades of neglect failed to undo its prestige and unseat its pride of place in the annals of Punjab.

Even today, among all the major cities of Punjab, Patiala remains one of the best places to live in and the worthiest to visit. Beyond doubt, its rich, history-laden air and its serene and quietly gracious ambience invite all and alike to experience it, savour it and soak it all in. Thus, visiting Patiala does not amount to merely visiting a place, rather it means having an experience. Experiencing Patiala is experiencing history, experiencing dignity and experiencing the former royal stature in all its sobriety and poise.

Health

Patiala has a Government Medical College ,a Dental college and an Ayurvedic College, each of them having hospital attached to them. The Government Medical college is linked to the well known Rajindra Hospital .Opened in 1954, this hospital is the largest in Punjab, offering specialized services in Surgery, Obstetrics, Plastic Surgery, Ultrasonography and Radiotherapy. The Rajindra Hospital is supported by Mata Kaushalaya Devi Hospital which was originally founded in 1890 as the Lady Dufferin Hospital. The rest of the district is served by a vast network of civil hospitals, Primary Health Centres and Dispensaries.

Agriculture

Out of geographical area of 3, 72,000 hectares in Patiala district, 3, 03,000 hectares (81%) is cultivable. 93% of the area is irrigated through tubewells and 3% by canals. The crop density of the district. is 197%. There are 62,090 agricultural families in the district. Wheat, barley, paddy, maize and sugarcane are major crops of the district. To break the wheat-paddy cycle, contract-farming has been started in the district by the Agriculture Department and PAFC for the crops like basmati, maize, pulses, barley etc. Agriculture is the single most important economic activity in the district. With over 65% of the population living in rural areas, 38% the population depends on agriculture either as laborers (17%) or cultivators (21%).

Industry

Patiala is fast emerging as an important industrial growth centre on the industrial map of the state. besides traditional goods, high quality and sophisticated items are now produced including small cutting tools, power cables, Vanaspati ghee, bicycles and agriculture implements including harvester combines and threshers, milk products, pesticides etc. The industrial units are scattered all over the district mainly at Rajpura, Dera bassi, Patiala, Samana and Nabha. There are large and medium industrial units located at Rajpura producing Vanaspati ghee, power cables, bicycles and bicycle components and at Dera bassi producing spun-yarn and alcohol. Among the small scale industry in the district are those producing agriculture implements, rice shellers, cutting tools, electrical goods and bakeries. There are Industrial Focal Points at Patiala, Rajpura, Nabha and Dera bassi and three Industrial Estates at Rajpura, Patiala and banur.

Education

Patiala has been cultural and academic center of northern India. The erstwhile rulers of Patiala state were great patrons of art and culture. Thus under the Maharajas, Patiala had developed into an important educational centre. It was the first city in this part of the country to have a Degree College- the Mohindra College- established in 1870. This city has the credit of setting up the first printing press in Punjab – the famous Printing Press of Munshi Naval Kishore and for manufacturing the first Punjabi Typewriter.

Today, Patiala is an important seat of learning with a full-fledged University, a Government Medical College, a Dental College, an Ayurvedic College and an Engineering College.

Culture

Patiala's sway over the Malwa area extended beyond merely political influence. Patiala was equally the set of religious and cultural life. Educationally, Patiala was in the forefront. Patiala was the first town in this part of the country to have Degree Collage-the Mohindra College-in 1870. The famous printing of Munshi Nawal Kishore was also established here in the seventies of the 19th century. Patiala has had a culture of its own, evolving into a distinct "patialavi" culture. Patiala has also seen evolution of a distinct style of architecture. Borrowing from the Rajput Style, its beauty and elegance are, however, moulded according to the local coloring.

With the active patronage of the erstwhile rules of Patiala, a well established style of Hindustani music called ‘the Patiala Gharana’ came into existence and has held its own up to the present times. This school of music has had a number of famous musicians, many of whom came to Patiala after the disintegration of the Mughal Court at Delhi in the 18th century. At the turn of the century, Ustad Ali Bux was the most renowned exponent of this Gharana. Later his sons, Ustad Akhtar Hussain Khan and Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan achieved world wide fame and brought glory to the Patiala Gharana. This school of music continues to get the patronage of the State though the North-Zone Culture Centre, established at Patiala.]

Tourist Place

Qila Mubarak Complex

Qila Mubarak The Qila Mubarak complex stands in 10-acre ground in the heart of the city, and contains the main palace or Qila Androon (literally,'inner fort'), the guesthouse or Ran Baas and the Darbar Hall. Outside the Qila are the Darshani Gate, a Shiva temple, and bazaar shops which border the streets that run around the Qila and sell precious ornaments, colorful hand-woven fabrics, ‘jootis’ and bright ‘Parandis’.

Qila Androon

The entrance is through an imposing gate. The architectural style of this palace is a synthesis of late Mughal and Rajasthani. The complex has 10 courtyards along the north - south axis and each courtyard is unique in size and character, some being broad, others very small and still others mere slits in the fabric of building.Though the Androon is a single interconnected building, it is spoken of as a series of palaces. Each set of rooms makes a cluster around a courtyard, and each carries a name: Sheesh Mahal, Toshakhana, Jalau Khana, Chand Mahal, Rang Mahal, Treasury and Prison. Ten of the rooms are painted with frescoes, or decorated intricately with mirror and gilt. In a tiny portion of the complex is a little British construction with Gothic arches, fire places made of marble and built-in toilets perched on the Mughal Rajasthani roof!. Burj Baba Ala Singh even today has a fire smoldering ever since the time of Baba Ala Singh, along with a flame brought by him from Jwalaji.

Rang Mahal and Sheesh Mahal

Rang Mahal and Sheesh MahalThe two mahals contain a large no. of frescoes, most of which were made under Maharaja Narender Singh. Within the Qila Mubarak are 16 painted and mirror-worked chambers. For instance, the Darbar room is illustrated with Vishnu avatars and stories of courage or generosity, the ladies' chamber with illustrations from famous romantic epics, and two other chambers with illustrations of the qualities of a good or bad king. The frescoes, among the finest painted in India in the second half of the 19th century are evidently the work of artists from Rajasthani, Pahari and Avadhi traditions.

Ran-Baas

This building was probably a guest house. It has an imposing gateway and two courtyards, both with fountains and small tanks. A room in the first courtyard-with painted walls and a gilt throne-was probably for semi -formal audience. A few pavilions are set among painted walls on the upper storey. Facing each other across the courtyard are two exquisite chambers, one painted and the other decorated with mirror work.

Darbar Hall (Divan Khana)

Darbar Hall (Divan Khana)Used for large audiences and important public occasions, the Darbar has been converted into a museum displaying dazzling chandeliers and armor, including the sword and dagger of Guru Gobind Singh and Nadir Shah's sword. The hall was built on a high plinth over a network of tunnels which were service conduits. The facade gives the impression of a double-storey building, with 'upper storey' windows and a balcony at the first floor level, but the delicately worked wood-and-glass doors open into a huge 15m-high chamber. At the far end is a raised platform, where the Maharaja sat . The wooden frame work of the ceiling holds decorated Plaster-of Paris tiles painted in Arabic style and the ceiling is hung with a fabled collection of chandeliers.

Jalau Khana and Sard Khana (Cool Room)

Both were much later constructions. The Jalau Khana is a small, two storeyed building with a central hall in late Colonial style, where regalia were displayed. The Sard Khan provided an escape from the summer heat. A deep well inside it acted as a wind tunnel, bringing cool air into the ground-floor rooms and the basement. Outside, there is a formal garden with waterways and fountains.

Lassi Khana (Kitchen)

Another small, two-storeyed building with a central courtyard and a well.It adjoins the Ran-bass, and a passage links it to the Qila Androon. Local residents say that at one time this kitchen had the capacity to serve nearly 35,000 people every day, but following an economy drive, the Lassi Khana restricted itself to serving only a modest 5,000 people.

Shahi Samadhan

The Samadhan, where Maharaja Rajinder Singh once built a garden, now holds cenotaphs of erstwhile rulers, looked after by a mahant.

Moti Bagh Palace

Started during the reign of Maharaja Narinder Singh, Moti Bagh Palaceit was completed under Maharaja Bhupinder Singh in the early 20th century. The Old Moti Bagh Palace now houses the National Institute for Sports. The facade has Rajasthan-style jharokas and chhatris, and the palace is set in a beautiful garden with terraces, water channels and a Sheesh Mahal.

Sheesh Mahal

The Sheesh Mahal was built Sheesh Mahalbehind the main Moti Bagh Palace to serve as a pleasure complex.The paintings in two of its well maintained , mirror-worked chambers are of Kangra and Rajasthani qalam, depicting the poetic visions of Keshav, Surdas and Bihari. The Sheesh Mahal now houses a museum, an art gallery, the famed medal gallery and also the North Zone Cultural Centre.

Lachman Jhoola

Across Lachman Jhoolathe small Lake in front of Sheesh Mahal is a magnificent suspension bridge which being a replica of the famous Lakshman Jhoola at Rishikesh, is also named as Lachman Jhoola. It links the Sheesh Mahal with the Banasar Ghar on the other side of the lake. The Banasar Ghar now houses the North Zone Cultural Center and a hall for setting up exhibitions.

Bir Moti Bagh

A 1,600-acre forest on the outskirts of Patiala, The Bir was originally the hunting preserve of the Maharaja. Most of the Bir is still forest, but parts of it house a zoo and a deer park, as well as a pilot project on medicinal plants.

Mall Road

Baradari is the colonial area of Patiala. On one side of Mall road is the Baradari, and on the other is the walled city. All along the vibrant Mall Road are fountains and beautiful paved walkways, as well as goverment offices (all buildings conforming to one architectural style), entertainment spots, including cinema theatres and the Rajendra tank, and temples. (The Rajendra Tank is actually a large lake which once attracted migratory birds in winters. Boating facilities are available here.)

Rajindera Kothi

Rajindera Kothi: Set in the heart of the Baradari Gardens, this late 19th Century Palace built in colonial style by Maharaja Rajindra Singh till recently housed Punjab States Archives. PUDA is planning to exploit this building as a potential Heritage Hotel.

Baradari Gardens

Baradari GardensThe Baradari gardens surround the Baradari palace located in the north of old Patiala city, just outside Sheranwala Gate. The gardens, laid under Maharaja Rajindera Singh were planted extensively rare trees and shrubs, dotted with impressive Colonial buildings and a marble statue of Maharaja Rajindera Singh and the Fern House. The 19th century Fern House, a replica of the one in Calcutta forms a unique attraction along with quaint Rink Hall.

Ijlas-e Khas

Ijlas-e KhasIntended to be the Administrative Secretariat of the princely state, this beautiful building now houses the offices of the Punjab State Electricity Board.

Gurudwara Dukhniwaran Sahib

Gurudwara Dukhniwaran Sahib(Aerial View) The villagers of Lehal donated land for the modest Gurudwara built on this elevated site, said to have been visited by Guru Teg Bahadur. The legend is that anyone who prays at this Gurudwara is relieved of his suffering ('dukhniwaran'). A new bigger building is now being constructed.

Kali Temple

Maharaja Bhupinder Singh was inspired to build this temple and bring the 6-ft statue of Kali from Bengal to Patiala. This large complex attracts devotees, Hindu and Sikh, from distant places. A much older temple of Raj Rajeshwari is also situated in the center of this complex.

Qila Bahadurgarh

The ninth Guru Tegh Bahadur stayed at Saifabad during his travels. Originally known as Saifabad, it was renamed Bahadurgarh by Maharaja Amar Singh who reinforced and renovated it.  The present fort dates back to Maharaja Karam Singh. He built a beautiful Gurudwara on the Patiala-Rajpura road (6 Km from Patiala City).

Panj Bali Gurdwara

Nawab Saif Khan, an admirer of Guru Teg Bahadur, Commemorated the guru's visit by building two gurudwaras, one inside the fort and the other across the road, now known as Panch Bali Gurudwara.

Maiji Di Sarai

This monument in the old city now houses the criminal investigation agency office.

Banur

Situated on the Sukhna Nadi, a tributary of the Ghaggar, at a distance of nine miles north-east of Rajpura on the Rajpura-Chandigarh Road, Banur is an ancient town. Its ruins testify to its former grandeur and importance, but its history has been lost in oblivion. Its ancient name was Pushpa or Popa Nagri or Pushpawati-the City of Flowers, and it was famous for the scent of chambeli flowers grown in its numerous gardens. The place was also well known for its musicians. One Banno Chhimban, a washer woman, is mentioned as a great musician of the days of Akbar.

During the reign of Emperor Akbar, Banur became a Mahal of the Sarkar of Sirhind and continued to be so up to the beginning of the eighteenth century.

In addition to the tomb of Malik Suleman, the suburbs of Banur contain the ruins of an old imperial fort, popularly known as Zulmgarh, the citadel of tyranny, and of another fort of Banda Ali Beg of a more recent date.

Samana

Samana at a distance of 17 miles south-west of Patiala is a place of considerable antiquity. It traces its history to the days of Raja Jaipal who ruled over, among others, the territories of Bhatinda, Samana. It fell into the hands of Shahab-ud-Din Muhammad Gauri after the conquest of Ajmer and Delhi and was entrusted to Qutb-ud-Din Aibek in 1192, along with the territories of Ghuram and Sunam. With the increasing importance of Sirhind under the Mughals, Samana received a little set-back.

While Samana is said to be a place of saints and scholars during the Mughal days, it is notorious also for its professional executioners, who served at Delhi and Sirhind. Sayyad Jala-ud-Din, who executed Guru Teg Bahadur at Delhi in 1675 was from Samana. Beg brothers, who mercilessly butchered the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh also belonged to Samana. This hated town was therefore one of the first places to have been sacked by Banda Bahadur. But the Mughals were yet too strong for the rising power of Sikhs and Samana had to be given up by them towards the end of 1710 AD.It was retaken in about 1742 AD by Baba Ala Singh, the founder of the Patiala ruling family and was recognized as a part of his territories by Ahamd Shah Durani.

Sanaur

The Town Sanour lies 4 miles South-east of Patiala. It lies on a high mound. The town is of some antiquity. In the time of Babar, Malik Baha-ud-Din Khokar became the chief of this pargana which was called Chaurasi, having 84 villages. In 1748, it came into the possession of Baba Ala Singh.

Ghuram (Kuhram or Kahram)

Situated in 30° 7' N and 76° 33' E 29 miles (slightly West) of Rajpura and 6 miles South (slightly East) of Patiala. Ghuram (Renamed Ramgarh) is a very ancient palace. An old tradition takes it back to the days of the Ramayana, being the abode of Rama’s maternal grandfather. The old ruins in its vicinity speak for its antiquity, though its early history has been long lost. During the days of Rajput Kings, Ghuram (Kuhram of the Persian Writers) was an important town with a strong fort to protect it.

During the fifties of the seventeenth century, Ghuram was held by Malhi Khan as a biswedar proprietor. He was a tyrant and was notorious for his extortions. Baba Ala Singh of Patiala had risen to eminence by now. He was a brave soldier and humane ruler and was looked upon by the oppressed people as source of timely help and consolation. The people of Ghuram came to Patiala and appealed to his noble wife, Mai Fato, for deliverance. Malhi Khan was dispossessed of Ghuram and it was taken under the direct control of Patiala. Maharaja Karam Singh of Patiala built a fort here and named it Ramgarh, evidently in memory of Rama of the Ramayana fame.