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It is the principal town
and headquarters of the district of
same name. Ludhiana, is industrial metropolis
of the Punjab industry. Its machine
tools and motor parts are widely exported.
It is the biggest center of hosiery,
both cotton and woolen in the country.
There are a number of gurudwaras associated
with the life and visits of Guru Gobind
Singh Ji. Among them the gurudwaras
of Charan Kanwal and Manji Sahib are
important.
The district can rightly boast of its
contribution in the national freedom
struggle. Among the greatest patriots
belonging to this region are Lala Laj
Pat Rai, Sardar Kartar Singh Sarabha,
Sat Gur Ram Singh, Sardar Jagat Singh
Binijhal, Baba Santa Singh, Bhai Bhan
Singh, S. Ishar Singh and Maulana Habibur
Reman.
The Christian Medical College, an Engineering
College and the Punjab Agricultural
University, which has ushered green
revolution in Punjab, are renowned centers
of education. Ludhiana holds world records
in food production.
Ludhiana, the site of a great battle
in the First Sikh War (1845) is now
punjab's most populated metropolitan
city. This city situated on the banks
of the Sutlej River, was founded in
1480 by Lodhi princess from Delhi.Although
Manchester has changed, but, Ludhiana
still is called the Manchester of India.
It is a major textile and light engineering
centre. Its hosiery goods are in great
demand in all the markets of the east
and the west. It exports woolen garments,
machine tools, dyes, cycle parts, mopeds,
sewing machines and motor parts to all
over the world. The famous Punjab Agricultural
University is situated on the outskirts
of Ludhiana. It has a large grain market
and is famous for rural Olympics. Best
time to visit Ludhiana is November to
Mid April.
Gurudwara Charan Kanwal:
This Gurudwara situated at Machhiwara
about 35 kms. from Ludhiana marks the
spot where Guru Gobind Singh ji, who
was being carried by Ghani Khan and
Nabi Khan as a Muslim Saint in disguise
to escape the Mughal forces, had rested
for a while.
Gurudwara Manji Sahib Alamgir:
The beautiful structure 10 kms. from
Ludhiana is situated at the spot where
Nabi Khan and Ghani Khan had finally
left Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Tank near
the Gurudwara commemorates the spot
where Guruji had shot an arrow and the
parched earth had yielded water. A fair
is held here in the last week of December.
Gurudwara Nanaksar Sahib (Jagraon):
Situated near Jagraon at a distance
of about 38 kms. from Ludhiana on Ferozepur
Road Gurudwara founded by Baba Nand
Singh, Nanaksar Sahib is a model of
elegance and architecture.
An annual gathering known as ' barsi
' is a five-day function, which is concluded
on a day corresponding to 13th Bhadon
(August). Nearly one-lakh devotees attend
it from all parts of India.
Sarai at Doraha:
This beautiful Sarai (protected monument)
is situated to the south of Ludhiana-Khanna
road at Doraha. The Sarai has 168 meter.
Square enclosure of walls with octagonal
bastions at each corner. The entrance
arch of each gateway is framed with
glazed tiles forming a pattern of multi-cornered
stars and swastikas. Noteworthy are
octagonal apertures in the ceilings
for light and ventilation and a unique
'hammam system' for boiling water.
Gurudwara Shrimanji Sahib Alamgir Situated
10 Km from Ludhiana, the gurudwara commemorates
the place where the Muslim devotees
Nabi Khan and Ghani Khan had carried
Guru Gobind Singh to safety during the
battle. Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708),
the last of the Sikh Gurus, transformed
the pacifist Sikh sect into a martial
community. He introduced rites of initiation
into well-organised Sikh army known
as the 'Khalsa'. There is a tank where
it is believed that the Guruji had shot
an arrow into the parched earth to pierce
a sub-terrain stream of water. A fair
is held there in every December.
Pir-I-Dastgir shrine The fort to the
north-west of Ludhiana includes the
shrine of Pir-I-Dastgir, also known
as Abdul Kadir Galani which draws both
Hindu and Muslim pilgrims.
Phillaur Fort The fort was designed
by Dewan Mohkam Chand, the brave general
of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It is police
training center now.
Punjab Agricultural University Museum
The world famous, Punjab Agriculture
University founded in 1962 is situated
on the outskirts of the city. It is
patterned after the Land Grant College
of America.
The Museum of Rural history of Punjab
is on the University campus. The museum
building resemble the traditional houses
of rural Punjab. A 100 yard long path,
flanked on both sides by water channels,
leads to the finely carved doors of
the museum. There are exhibits of old
bronze utensils, farming equipment etc.
Open from 9 am to 1.00 pm and 2 pm to
5 pm.
Christian Medical College Established
in 1895, Christian Medical College was
the first school of medicine in Asia.
This college has a partnership with
CMC in Vellore. Both these colleges
together form one of the South Asia's
major teaching and research hospitals.
Bilwanwali Masjid Mosque of Kamal-ud-din
Khan/Sarai Doraha on the main highway,
dates back to Emperor Jahangir's time.
Rectangular in shape it has rooms and
varandahs on all sides. Two great double
storied gates are profusely decorated
with coloured tiles and intricate brick
carvings Bhir has the famous mosque
built by Mohammad Ghori in 1911.
Famous Tombs
Mausoleum of Alawal Khan built during
Shah Jehan's reign is octagonal in shape,
surmounted by double pear shaped dome.
The tomb of Bahadur Khan has sloping
walls
Tomb of Husain Khan is 2 storied tomb.
Ludhiana in Punjab, is Textile centre
of India. It is a very rapidly growing
town on the south bank of the Sutlej
river. The rich agricultural area around
it supports a large grain market. Hero
Bicycles, the world's largest manufacturer
of bicycles is based here. Christian
Medical College Hospital, established
in 1895, was the first school of medicine
in Asia. The world famous Punjab Agricultural
University is on the edge of the town.
It has an excellent museum. Ludhiana
accounts for 90% of the country's woolen
hosiery industry.
Approach
There are many long distance direct
train connections, linking Ludhiana
to major centres in India. Daily bus
service connect Ludhiana with Delhi
and other towns in Punjab and neighbouring
states.
Places of Interest
The Fort:-Fort in the north-west includes
the shrine of Pir-i-Dastgir, also known
as Abdul Kadir Galani. There is an annual
pilgrimage of Muslims and Hindus to
the Muslim Saint's tomb. There are other
tombs belonging to members of Shah Shuja's
family.
Tourist Information
Punjab Tourism Office, Chandigarh, Tel
:- (0172)-704570.
Punjab Tourist Information Office, Youth
Hostel, Amritsar.
Punjab Tourist Information Centre, Raja
Sansi Airport, Amritsar.
Culture
Hindu festivals and celebrations such
as Dasehara and Diwali are as enthusiastically
observed as are the birth and death
anniversaries of the gurus and saints.
To sikh community the festival of Baisakhi,
celebrated in month of April, is of
special significance because on this
day in 1689 Guru Govind Singh organized
the Sikhs into khalsa or `pure one'.
In the countryside farmers start harvesting
with great jubilation. The bhangra dance
is common sight in the villages. Punjabi
is the main language, while Hindi and
English are also commonly used.
History
It was founded in 1480 by Lodi princes
from Delhi and hence it's name. It was
the site of a great battle during the
First Sikh War.
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