PUNJAB
Capital: Chandigarh
Area: 50362 SQKM (19th)
No.of Districts: 22
Language: Punjabi
Population: 27704306 (15th)
Literacy: 77%
Assembly: Unicameral - 117 seats.
Lok Sabha: 13 seats
Rajya Sabha: 7 seats
Major Rivers: Jhelum, Chenab,Ravi, Beas, Sutlej
Geographical Position: 29.30 degree to 32.32 degree N latitude 73.55 degree to 76.50 degree E longitude.
Borders: Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh(UT).,Haryana, Rajasthan, J&K., Punjab province of Pakistan.
State Tree: Rosewood
State Animal; Black Buck
State Bird: Northern Goshawk
Governor: Kaptan Singh Solanki
Chief Minister: Prakash Singh Badal.
Q1. What does " Punjab" mean?
"Punj" means five (5) and "Ab" means river in Persian language, referring to the five rivers - Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, passing through this state.
Q2. Give a brief history of Punjab?
In fact, Punjab's history dates back to the first civilization to enter India - the Indus Valley Civilisation. Punjab was a big Union of smaller kingdoms and during the British it was one big "Punjab Province" comprising of the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Chandigarh. After independence A part of Punjab went over to Pakistan, while Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and Delhi became Union Territories, thus Punjab was formed with Haryana with it. On 1.11.1966, it was made into two states viz; Punjab & Haryana.
Q3. What are the important cities/towns of Punjab?
Amritsar, Patiala, Ludhiana, Jullandhar, and Mohali.
Q4. Who was the first CM of Punjab?
Gopichand Bhargava - 1947-1949.
Q5. What are the 22 districts of Punjab?
1. AMRITSAR: A major industrial city. Amritsar means "pool of the nectar Of immortality" and derives its name from the Sanskrit word "Amritsarovar" meaning "Lake of Nectar". Harmandir Sahib or Golden Temple, the most revered Sikh religious temple is located here. It was built during the 5th Sikh Guru Arjan Dev between 1581-1606. Amritsar has two notable historically unfortunate incidents in its history:i)Jalianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 by Genl. Dyer. ( see Indian History). ii) "Operation Blue Star" in 1984, during Smt.Indira Gandhi's tenure as PM to flush out sikh militants of Khalistan occupying the golden temple. The Lok Sabha Constituency of Amritsar is represented by the famous Indian Cricketer Najot Singh Sidhu from 2004.
2. BARNALA:
3. BHATINDA: Cotton cultivation and production is the major occupation.
4. FIROZPUR: Agriculturally important city and district.
5. FARIDKOT: Small scale industries dominate.
6. FATEGARH SAHIB: Mandi Gobind Barh is the major town with major Industries. A floating restaurant in the BBMB Canal is a major attraction.
7.FAZILKA:
8. GURDASPUR: A district with scenic beauty and splendour. Pathankot, through which one has to reach Jammu & Kashmir is located here. (It is now a district).
9. HOSHIARPUR: District with heavy forest cover. Cotton production dominates the agricultural activity.
10. JALANDHAR: Highly industrialized city with sports goods, leather goods, Small scale industries dominates the industrial sector. Surgical machines,and tools, CNC Machines are the manufactured goods. Harbhajan Singh the famous cricketer of India, belong to this place. Harbhalla fair in December every year is a major attraction.
11. KAPURTHALA: Agriculture dominates. Rail Coach Factory, Sainik School and few places of interest including Gurdwaras, Mosques and Science city are there. Rajkumari Amrit Kaur the first woman Cabinet Minister for India hailed from here.
12. LUDHIANA: Bicycle and Hosiery industries, Small scale industries dominates this industrialized district.
13. MANSA: Cotton production is very high.
14. MOG
15.MOHALI: Also called Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar. A district formed in 2006. Famous for its ultra modern cricket ground, fashion technology and software technology parks are there.
16. MUKTSAR: Sikh Temples and "Maghimela" an annual fair in January is very famous.
17. PATIALA: Formerly a princely state. Thus the city and the district has a few architectural monuments are there to visit. Academically an advanced District with a number of high standard educational institutions are there. National Institute of Sports is located here.
18. PATHANKOT:
19. RUPNAGAR: Morind Town of this district is famous for gardens.
20. SANGRUR.
21.SHAHID BAGAT SINGH NAGAR:
22. TARN TARAN : Agriculturally dominant district.
Q6. What are the types of industries available in Punjab?
Dominated by small scale industries. Specialises in sports goods, machineries, Spare parts, leather goods, scientific and medical tools, hardware tools, Cycles, rail coaches, two wheelers and automobiles industries form the industrial sector. Agriculture is the major occupation with wheat, cotton, food grain and milk production being equally dominant.
Q7. Who are the famous personalities of Punjab?
1. Dr.Manmohan Singh, PM, former Finance Minister, RBI Governor.
2. Harbhajan Singh, Mohinder Amarnath, Navjyot Singh Sidhu, Bishen Singh Bedi, Monty Panesar (England) are all famous cricketers.
3.Dharmendra, Dev Anand, Chetan Anand, Ajay Devgan and many more film personalities.
4. Shaheed Bhagat Singh - freedom fighter.
5. Milka Singh - ace althlete called "flying sikh".
6. Giani Zail Singh - former President.
7. Dalip Singh Saund - First US Sikh Senator.
8. Gurdas Mann - leading singer and actor.
9. Daler Singh - famous singer.
10. Indian Hockey team is generally comprises of Sikh players in large.
11. Montek Singh Ahluwalia - Economist, Dy.Chairman Planning Commission.
12. Dayan Chand - Hockey wizard.
Q8. For which game Punjab is very famous and has contributed many international players?
Hockey.
Q9. What is the famous dance form of Punjab?
Bangra.
Q10. What is the famous festival of Punjab?
Baisakhi.
Q11. What is the famous handicraft work of Punjab?
Phulkari Embroidery..
Q12. Give a brief about Chandigarh the Capital of Punjab?
1. A well planned city designed by American Architect Albert Mayer and French Architect Le Corbusier in the 1950s. 2. Gets its name from Goddess Chandi, a local deity located at Panchkula. 3. The city has the unique distinction of being the Capital of Punjab and Haryana, and also the city remains an Union Territory. 4. Rock Garden and Flower shows are the famous and interesting attractions.
Q13. What are the places of interest in Punjab?
1. Ropar: Now called Roopnagar. Indus Valley sites. 2. Amritsar: The Golden Temple. 3. Bhatinda: Fort 4. Kapurthala: Architectural monuments. 5. Chandigarh & Patiala: Gardens and the city lay out.
