Sri Muktsar Sahib
| ਸ੍ਰੀ ਮੁਕਤਸਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ Sri Muktsar Sahib |
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| Muktsar | |
| — city — | |
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| Coordinates | 30°28′30″N 74°30′54″E / 30.475°N 74.515°ECoordinates: 30°28′30″N 74°30′54″E / 30.475°N 74.515°E |
| Country | India |
| State | Punjab |
| District(s) | Sri Muktsar Sahib |
| Subdistrict(s) | Sri Muktsar Sahib |
| Population | 3,96,030 (2001[update]) |
| Literacy • Male |
51% • 66% |
| Official languages | Punjabi (Gurmukhi) |
|---|---|
| Regional languages | Punjabi |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area |
• 184 metres (604 ft) |
| Website | www.muktsar.nic.in |
Sri Muktsar Sahib (Punjabi: ਸ੍ਰੀ ਮੁਕਤਸਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) is a city and a municipal council in Sri Muktsar Sahib district in the Eastern Punjab (India). It's historical/old name was Khidrāna (Punjabi: ਖਿਦਰਾਣਾ). After the the battle of 1705 it was renamed as Muktsar and recently, due to it's historical and religious importance, it is renamed as Sri Muktsar Sahib[2]
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[edit] Geography
Sri Muktsar Sahib lies between 30° 69' and 29° 87' latitude and 74° 21' and 74° 86' longitude[3] and centered (approx.) at 30°28′30″N 74°30′54″E / 30.475°N 74.515°E.[4] It is located in the southwestern zone of Indian Punjab and is bounded by the states of Rajasthan and Haryana in the south. The city and district of Faridkot lies to its north and Bathinda to the east.
[edit] History
Sri Muktsar Sahib has a proud heritage. It is known as the last battlefield of Guru Gobind Singh in 1705 A.D., which proved to be a most decisive conflict in the military history of the Sikhs. Literally the name of this city means "the pool of liberation". The forty Sikh warriors who fought to death here against the Mughal Empire more than three centuries ago are remembered by a grand festival held here every January, which attracts devotees from all over the world.
During the 1740s some Sikh families settled here, then a town developed there where the battlefield was. Later it took the name Sri Muktsar Sahib, renamed from Kidhrani di Dhab. A Gurdwara was Built. Later Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa (1791-1837) visited Muktsar Sahib and did kar sewa of the Muktsar Sahib building, which was in 1980s replaced with a new building.
[edit] Historical sites in the city
Being a historical heritage, the city has many historical sites, mainly Gurudwaras like:
- Sri Darbar Sahib (Tutti Gandhi Sahib)
- Gurudwara Tambu Sahib
- Gurudwara Taran Taran Sahib
- Gurudwara Tibbi Sahib (at the battlefield)
- Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib
- Shaheedan Da Gurudwara
A few years ago, a new monument was built in the shape of Khanda Sahib, near DC office, in the memory of the forty martyrs.
- Mosque: After partition it was used as a Gurudwara, but in 1996 it was handed over to the Wakf Board under an arrangement between the Wakf and the SGPC. Now Namaz is read all five times a day and the considerably growing population of Muslims at Sri Muktsar Sahib have it as their paramount religious and cultural center.
[edit] Fairs and Festivals
The Mela Maghi (Punjabi: ਮੇਲਾ ਮਾਘੀ), held every January it is to commemorate the valour of 40 Muktas, (or the liberated ones), who sacrificed their lives in the battle-field of Khidrana.[5] The huge Mela is held at an open space, mainly on the Bathinda & Malout roads. People from all over the world, visit the city on this day to take a dip in the holy Sarovar.
A fair of animals, specially horses, know as Ghorhian Da Mela (Punjabi: ਘੋੜੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਮੇਲਾ (Fair of Horses), is the other famous one.
[edit] Climate
Climate is determined by the western Himalayas to the north, Thar desert to the south and the southwestern Monsoon. Nearly 70% of rain falls during the months of July to September (summer). The extreme type of climate is present with temperature varying from 45°C in June to as low as 2°C in January. The major part of the district has aridic moisture regime. Soil moisture regime computations employing the Newhall mathematical model indicate that the area has 'weak aridic' moisture regime (Van Wambeke, 1985).[3]
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001[update] census, Sri Muktsar Sahib has a population of 3,96,030. Rural areas constitutes 54.10% of and Urban 71.63% of the population. Sri Muktsar Sahib has an average literacy rate of 50.67%: male literacy is 65.94 %, and female literacy is 50.57%. In Sri Muktsar Sahib, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.[6]
[edit] Education and Health
The Government College on the Kotkapura road is the prominent college of the area. The other schools and colleges includes:
- Guru Nanak College For Girls (under GNDU, Amritsar).
- Saint Farid Convent School
- Bhai Maha Singh Engineering College, Kotkapura road.
- Mai Bhago Ayurvedic Medical College, Firozpur road.
- Little Flower Convent School
- New Vision Academy, Sarainaga (CBSE, English Medium)
- New Vision Girls College (BA, MA, BSC-IT, PGDCA)
- Desh Bhagat Dental College & Hospital, Kotkapura Rd.
- National Public School, Muktsar
- Government Girls School
- Government Boys School
- Akal Academy
- D.A.V Public School
- Shivalik Public School
- Sarvhitkari Public School
- Bhai Mastan Singh Public School
- Rama Krishna Middle School
- Rama Krishna School
- Dolphin Playway & Public School
- Sarswati Computer Centre, Red Cross Bhawan
- The Gladiolus School
- National College of Information and Technology
- Saint Soldier Convent School
- Dasmesh Khalsa College
[edit] Hospitals
- Joshi Hospital, Kotkapura Road
- Bansal Nursing Home, Kotkapura Road
- Adesh Cancer Hospital and Research Center, Kotkapura Road
[edit] People
The two prominent Chief ministers of Eastern Punjab, Harcharan Singh Brar and Prakash Singh Badal, belongs to the Sri Muktsar Sahib district.
[edit] References
- ^ "PIN code of Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab". www.mapsofindia.com. http://www.mapsofindia.com/pincode/india/punjab/muktsar/muktsar.html. Retrieved 23 January, 2012.
- ^ Prabhjot Singh (31 January, 2010). "Muktsar is now Sri Muktsar Sahib". The Tribune, Chandigarh. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100201/punjab.htm#4. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
- ^ a b "About the district". www.muktsar.nic.in. http://muktsar.nic.in/html/about_district.htm#4. Retrieved 23 January, 2012.
- ^ Google maps
- ^ "ਮਾਘੀ ਦੇ ਮੇਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਸਿਰਫ ਤੀਰਥ ਇਸ਼ਨਾਨ ਨਾਲ ਹੀ ਨਾ ਜੋੜੋ". In Punjabi. www.sikhmarg.com. 01 March, 2010. http://www.sikhmarg.com/2010/0103-maaghi.html. Retrieved 22 January, 2012.
- ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
