Ludhiana is Punjab's
most populated metropolis and prominent industrial city. It is most
famous for its hosiery goods, which are in demand in all the markets
of the east and the west. Instead of scenic spots, Ludhiana boasts
of industrial goods. Machine tools, dyes, cycle parts, mopeds, sewing
machines and motor parts are also exported from Ludhiana. You can
shop hosiery items or visit the Rural Olympics held in Killa Raipur
nearby. The Rural Museum at the Punjab Agricultural University can
also be visited. The War Memorial’s Sound and Light shows
arte worth a visit. Home of India's leading Agriculture University,
Ludhiana is also a home of fairs and the spearhead of green revolution.
From being a small village called Meer Hota in 1481 to later Lodiana
and now Ludhiana, the city has never been caught napping. Under
theYodhas from the first to the fourth century, it later came under
the rule of Samudragupta. But the Original Ludhianavis settled here
much later in the ninth century. There were the Rajputs from the
ninth century. There were the Rajputs from the south and then the
Turks and the Afghans who took the Bet area of Sutlej on lease from
Mohammad Gami. Later, the Sidhus, Gills, Sandhus and the Grewals
came from the jungles of Jagraon and camped here.
Early Settlers: Sikandar Lodhi sent Yusaf and
Nihang to stop the approaching Baloachs. They crossed Sutlej and
after defeating Khokhars of Doaba, established Sultanpur Lodhi.
Nihang stayed back at village Meer Hota as Naib. He was the one
who changed the name of the village to Lodiana. Later, his grandson,
Jalal Khan, built the Lodhi Fort there. His two sons Aloo Khan Khijar
Khan divided among themselves the area around the fort but were
dethroned by Babur who even demolished Nihang's tomb. That didn't
end the travails of this town. During Akbar's reign, it was a tehsil
along with Tihara, Hathur, Bhundri, Machiwara, Payal and Doraha.
Not many of us know that Guru Gobind Singhji traveled through Jharsahib,
Machiwara, Kanech, Alamgir, Lama Jatpura and Lakha and finally at
village Dina and wrote the famous Zafarnama in 1806. Maharaja Ranjit
Singh also came to Ludhiana twice. On the pretext of solving the
Patiala crisis, he won the area around Sahenewal and gifted 54 villages
to Raja Bhag Singh of Jind. Diwan Mokham Singh was made the ruler.
The modern times: The British too, traipsed along
with Capt. Akhtar loni (1809-1815), an English political agent,
followed by Capt. Maney and Sir Matton (!833-1838). After the death
of Raja Sangat Singh, the Britishers captured 80 villages and Ludhiana
came under Assistant Political Agent. During the First English-Sikh
War, there were only 4,000 white soldiers. Ranjodh Singh Ladwa burnt
this cantonment and looted the English at Baddowal. At Aliwal's
War, however, Henry Smith defeated Ranjodh Singh. The 1857 sepoy
mutiny didn't amount to much as Deputy Commissioner Ricket successfully
thwarted it with the help of Nawab of Malerkotla, Nabha patti.
The Bet Muslims, however, revolted while urban Hindus and Sikhs
remained pro government. In fact, fellow Ludhianvi Rai Kishan Chand
Dhandari was the official advocate of the English at Lahore! Bassian
Kothi was the biggest armour at that time and many secret agents
lived in that area. Maharaja Dilip Singh was also kept for one night
at Bassian Kothi. Kaonkey kalan is another of the historical places
in Ludhiana where antique coins were found along with bricks of
12inchX10inch size. It was also the main control area during the
English Sikh War, while Chaoni Mohalla was an armament dump. English
dug canals for irrigation and they helped their loyals to settle
in bars that were vacated after the Partition. Maulana Shah Abdul
Kadar led the Punjab mutiny. He was persuaded by blind Jaman Shah
to settle here. It's here that he constructed a house and a masjid
at Mouchpura now known as Masjid-do-Manjila. Jaman Shah would come
here daily, bare-footed five times a day, to offer prayers. The
Shah signed an agreement here in 1839 and the English crowned him
king of Kabul. February 1921 sw Mahatma Gandhi at Daresi Ground
in the city. At the end of the year, 3,000 freedom fighters from
Ludhiana arrested and sentenced to prison. Another 475 joined the
Quit India Movement. Politically, Ludhiana has contributed five
chief ministers, namely Bhim Sen Snahan, Justice Gurnam Singh, Gian
Singh Rarewala, Lachaman Singh Gill and Beant Singh. The Goa War
took 87 of its young soldiers.
Access by Air:
The nearest operational airport from Ludhiana is in the state capital
Chandigarh, 100 km away.
Access by Rail:
There are regular trains for New Delhi and Amritsar from Ludhiana
Railway Station.
Access by Road:
Ludhiana is situated on the Amritsar-Delhi Grand Trunk Road. New
Delhi, Amritsar, Chandigarh and other major cities in Punjab are
well linked with Ludhiana through road. The city lies about 305
km northwest of Delhi and is 100 km away from Chandigarh.
Location Map of Ludhiana:
Sightseeing places in and around Ludhiana :
The Fort : Located to the northwest of the city
of Ludhiana, the fort draws both Hindu and Muslim pilgrims. The
main attraction of the fort is the shrine of Pir-i-Dastgir, also
known as Abdul Kadir Galani It.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum : The foundation
of this museum was laid in 1990. The museum was planned to create
general awareness about the defense services, not only for its role
in defending the country but also in strengthening the bonds of
national integration and unity. The presentations showcase the stories
of bravery of Indian especially Punjabi soldiers in upholding the
pride of the motherland.
Punjab Agricultural University : On the outskirts
of the city is the world famous Punjab Agricultural University,
which is modeled on the Land Grant of America. The University has
a Rural Museum, which houses local arts and crafts and objects belonging
to the ancient times. The University also organizes a Kisan Mela
every year.
Pir-I-Dastgir shrine : The fort to the northwest
of Ludhiana includes the shrine of Pir-I-Dastgir, also known as
Abdul Kadir Galani, which draws Hindu and Muslim pilgrims.
Bhir : Bhir has the famous mosque built by Mohammad
Ghori in 1911, 150 years old Khangah of Abdul Rehman Khan, mausoleum
of Alawal Khan built during Shah Jehan's regime, octagonal in shape,
surmounted by double pear shaped dome, the tomb of Bahadur Khan
with sloping walls, 2 storied, double tomb of Husain Khan, Bilwanwali
Masjid, mosque of Kamal-ud-din Khan/Sarai Doraha on the main highway,
Ludhiana dates back to Emperor Jehangir's time. Rectangular in shape
it has rooms and verandahs on all sides. Two double storied gates
are exquisitely decorated with colored tiles and intricate brick
carvings.
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