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About Punjab
 The
first impression of Punjab one gets is that of a land pulsating with
prosperity. The plains of Punjab, with their fertile soil and
abundant water supply, are naturally suited to be the breadbasket
for India. The land of Punjab is a land of exciting culture, myriad
images of swaying emerald green fields and hearty people whose
robust rustic ways of camaraderie and bonhomie are very much a part
of their heritage.
The state has achieved tremendous growth over the years due to the
success of the Green Revolution in the early 70s. For a major period
in the second half of the 20th century, Punjab led the other states
in India to achieve self-sufficiency in crop production. The other
major reason for the prosperity of the state are the great number of
people who left their home for the countries in Europe and North
America and, after long struggles, achieved successes there.
The people of the state are hard working and take life as it comes.
Music and dance is in their blood and that is reflected in the
Bhangra beats that are famous all over the world today.
Fast
Facts
| Area |
: |
50,362 sq km |
| Languages |
: |
Punjabi, Hindi |
| Religion |
: |
Hindus (34.46%),
Sikhs (62.95%), others (2.59%) |
| Literacy
rate |
: |
57.14% |
| Annual
Mean Rainfall |
: |
770 mm |
| Maximum
Temperature |
: |
43.33°C |
| Minimum
Temperature |
: |
4.44°C |
| Per Capita
Income |
: |
19,500 (at current
prices in 1997-98) |
| Capital |
: |
Chandigarh |
|
Urbanization Ratio |
: |
29.55% |
| Best Time
To Visit |
: |
October To March |
History
The
history of Punjab is as old as the history of the Indian
Civilization. The land of five rivers, this state was known as
Panchal when the Aryans came to India in the third millennium BC.
Before that, the whole region of the Sindhu (Indus) and its
tributaries was inhibited by the Harappans or the people of Copper
age who constructed great cities in this region. Ropar in modern
Punjab is a great example of this civilization. The Harappan culture
declined suddenly between 1800-1700 BC and its end is as puzzling as
its beginning. After the decline of the Harappans, Aryans from
Central Asia ventured into this land and made this their home.
Punjab was the first place on the Indian subcontinent where the
Aryans actually decided to settle after a long period of grazing and
fighting with the aboriginal communities. This was the place where
later parts of the Rigveda and other Vedas were written. This was
also the place where first war for the control of entire north India
or Aryawart (as it was known in those days) was fought between the
Aryans and non-Aryans, known as Dasragya War (war of 10 kings).
Draupadi, wife of the Pandava princes in Mahabharat, was the
princess of Panchal though her father fought in the war of
Mahabharat against the Pandavas. When the Aryans finally settled
down in India, the region came under the rulers of Magadh kingdom in
the last century BC.
Punjab always had a strategic importance due to its position on the
famous Grand Trunk Road that connected the eastern parts of India to
the extreme northwest point of Taxila (now in Afghanistan). This
road was first constructed by Ashoka to have a better administration
of the northwestern frontier, which was always a problem. After the
decline of the Mauryan Empire, the Indo Greeks, Guptas, and Vardhans
ruled this region in succession. After the coming of Muslims in the
9th-10th century AD, the region became an integral part of the Delhi
Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. It was also under the Maratha rule
for some time.
After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the most prominent ruler in
this land was Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the early 19th century. After
the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Sikhs could not hold on to
their territory for long and the British controlled most of the
region either directly or through the princely states.
The Partition of India in 1947 was a turning point for this state.
Most of the Muslim dominated areas went out with Pakistan; while the
Sikh and Hindu dominated areas remained with India. Lakhs of people
were killed in the mayhem that engulfed in this region in the wake
of the Partition. After independence, a new state of Punjab was
created with modern day Haryana and Himachal Pradesh being a part of
this state.
Best
Season, Climate and Clothing
The state has three major seasons i.e. summer, monsoon, and winter.
Summer remains in the state from April to June and the heat is
unbearable at that time. Monsoon touches this state in the month of
July and remain in action till September. Most of the rainfall in
the state occurs during this season only. The annual average
rainfall is 770 mm. Winters come in October and remains till March
and extreme cold can be experienced at this time. Cotton clothing
are apt for the summer months and woolens are required for the
winter months.
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