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Hoshiarpur

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Hoshiarpur
Hoshiarpur
city
Map

Hoshiarpur is a city and a municipal council in Hoshiarpur district in the Indian state of Punjab. It was founded, according to tradition, during the early part of the 4th century. In 1809 it was occupied by the forces of Maharaja Karanvir Singh and was united under the greater state of Punjab. Hoshiarpur is also known as an ancient manufacturing town where colourful lacquer (formerly ivory) finished plastic inlay furniture is made.

History and mythology

The area of present Hoshiarpur was also part of Indus Valley Civilization. Recent excavations at various sites in the district have revealed that the entire area near the Shivalik foothills was selected for habitation not only by the early palaeolithic man but also by those in the protohistoric and historic periods. In the explorations, seven early Stone Age sited an Atbarapur, Rehmanpur and Takhni, 30–40 km north of Hoshiarpur District in the foothills of Shivalik, have been discovered where the stone artifacts have been found. Besides these excavations, among the archaeological remains in the Hoshiarpur District, the remains of temples at Dholbaha, 24 km north of Hoshiarpur, and especially the local legends throw valuable light on the ancient history of the district. The archaeological explorations made during the recent years have revealed the antiquity of the Hoshiarpur District to the Harappan Period. The sculptures and other findings excavated from Dholbaha pertain to the Gurjara Prathihara Period ( C-800-1100 A D). In the 10th Century A D Shiwalik areas came under the influence of Pratiharas. During that period, the art of the local tribes took a definite shape. In AD 965, Jaipal came to the throne and thus the Hindu Shahi style penetrated into the valley of Dholbaha. In AD 988, the rulers of Parmaras remained paramount power up to AD 1260. It is said that before the first Muhammadan invasion in 1174AD, Raja Shankar Dass built a fort on the site of the present town of Garhshankar, but it was taken by Mahmud Ghazni. After that this region was invaded by many Muslim rulers time to time and later on in 19th century was under Sikh rule before being occupied by Britishers until 1947.

Hoshiarpur was known as Chanchadhari-city between river vyas and Sutlej in the old Hindu scriptures. This first account of this place was found in Hindu mythology, related to a story as it is said that many thousands of years ago the Lord of the universe and God of the three Lokas, Lord Sri Vishnu Narayana was having a sleep on the bed of the Cobra. The Goddess Lakshmi was respectfully nursing his feet. At the very same time, the Maharishi Bhrigu presented himself to the Vaykunth Loka at the entrance. Two Doorkeepers – Jai and Vijay - were standing at the entrance to the Vaykunth Loka. First, they welcomed Bhrigu Rishi, but then they told him to wait and not to enter right away, since Lord Sri Vishnu was sleeping. Not being allowed entrance to Lord Sri Vishnu Narayana, the Maharishi Bhrigu got very angry and said to Jai and Vijay: "By stopping the Maharishi Bhrigu you have insulted the most great Brahmin soul. Due to that you can get a curse, which will force you to be reborn on the Earth at least three times."While listening to this threat from Maharishi Bhrigu, Jai and Vijay both bended down their heads and were very silent. Now the Bhrigu Rishi could enter the door without anybody stopping him. The Maharishi Bhrigu then entered the place where Lord Sri Vishnu Narayana was sleeping with Goddess Lakshmi at his feet. When Bhrigu Rishi saw this, he became full of anger, because he thought that Lord Vishnu was not really sleeping, but only pretending to sleep just to insult him. This was the time, when the Maharishi Bhrigu with his right leg kicked the chest of Lord Sri Vishnu. When he was hit Lord Vishnu opened his eyes and stood up. Lord Vishnu was astonished to see the Bhrigu Rishi standing there. So he bended down his head, folded his hands, and said to Bhrigu Rishi: "My Lord, my chest is the strongest thing in the world, like a mountain, but your feet are so soft. Maybe you got hurt while kicking me. So please forgive me for that."While listening to the words of Lord Vishnu, the Bhrigu Rishi got very calm and felt very guilty, and he asked the God please to forgive him. As all this happened, Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, got very angry, and she said to Maharishi Bhrigu: "By behaving this badly towards my husband, you have insulted me. Therefore I now give a curse, so that you and your fellow Brahmins will always live in poverty begging for your living. I will never come to your home."After listening to this the Bhrigu Rishi said: " Hey Lakshmi! Whatever crime I did was in anger, and I have already asked the Lord Sri Vishnu to forgive me. By not thinking very nicely, you have now given this curse to me and my fellow Brahmins. But anyway, what has happened has happened. I will now write a Jyotish Grantha, from which the Brahmins can predict all about the past, present and future of every person in the world. They will get good knowledge as well as good earnings from this. They will be able to earn their livelihood. And this way you have got to come to their home anyhow!"Having said this Maharishi Bhrigu went back to his ashram, and wrote his book known as "Bhrigu Samhita" which contains the life-stories of the past, present and future of all the people in the world on the basis of their Janma-kundalies. First of all, Bhrigu Rishi taught the principles of this Grantha to his own son and disciple Shukra. And from the lips of Shukra it was little by little distributed to the Brahmins all over the world. The ashram of Bhrigu rishi was in Hoshiarpur and the Bhrigu samhita was placed in this city. In ancient India, it was very important center for learning astrology. Many people use to come here in search of the predictions about their life. But with invasions of non Hindu rulers, the part of Bhrigu Samhita was destroyed, relocated or looted. Still today, there are many astrologers describing themselves descendent's of Bhrigu are doing business and claim to possess part of Bhrigu Samhita written on leaves. And this was the main reason that Hoshiarpur was famous in ancient and medieval India.

Geography

Hoshiarpur bus stand

Hoshiarpur is located at 31°32′N 75°55′E / 31.53°N 75.92°E / 31.53; 75.92[1]. It has an average elevation of 296 metres (971 feet). Hoshiarpur district is located in the north-east part of the Indian state of Punjab. It falls in the Jalandhar Revenue Division and is situated in the Bist Doab portion of the Doaba region. Its coordinates lie at North Latitude 30 Degree-9 and 32 degree-05 and East Longitude 75 degree -32 and 76 degree -12’. Hoshiarpur shares a common boundary with Kangra and Una districts of Himachal Pardesh in the north east. In the southwest, it borders the Jalandhar and Kapurthala districts of Punjab and in the northwest it borders Gurdaspur District (of Punjab).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census[2], Hoshiarpur had a population of 148,243. The 2007 Hoshiarpur population was 427,987. Hoshiarpur is also known as "City of Mangoes". Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Hoshiarpur has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 76%. In Hoshiarpur, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

  • Females per 1,000 males 935
  • Density of population ( per km².) 439
  • Percentage increase in population (1991-2001) 13.81

Religion in Hoshiarpur

The predominant religion in Hoshiarpur is Hinduism (59%) the other major minority religion is Sikhism (41%). Hoshiarpur is one of the major cities in Punjab to have a 90%+ Sikh majority.[citation needed]

Languages spoken in Hoshiarpur

The first language of the majority of people in the city is Punjabi, however Hindi is widely spoken and is spoken fluently within the city.English is understood by literate people in Hoshiarpur.

Area

At present, Hoshiarpur has an area of 3198.2 km².

  • Total area ( km².) 3,365
  • Total No. of villages. 1,426

Climate

The district of Hoshiarpur has a mild climate compared to other districts in the state of Punjab. Much of this is due to the abundance of hilly terrain and sizeable forest cover. Temperatures drop as low as -5oC in the winter.

The pattern of seasons in the district is similar to that of other districts in Punjab, except slight variations at the terminals. The year may be divided into three main seasons in the district of Hoshiarpur. The summer season sets in April and lasts up to end of June, to be taken over by the rainy season (during which time it becomes hot and humid). The rainy season sets in the beginning of July and lasts up till September's end. The winter season starts after the rains are over from October and lasts up until March's end. May and June are the hottest months of the year in Hoshiarpur (during which time mercury is known to cross 45 °C).

Moreover, the local climate here is very suitable for citrus fruit cultivation and a large area is covered with the same. Although, Hoshiarpur has always been known for the distinctive variety of Mangoes (As is referred in this popular Punjabi song: "Ambiyaan nu tarsengi chadd ke des doaba").

Rainfall

The total average rain fall within Hoshiarpur is 1125 mm. Broadly speaking, 75% of the rainfall is experienced within the period between July and September. 15% of the total rainfall is experienced in the winter months of January and February during which time the climate is under the influence of western disturbances in the Persian Gulf. Hail storms may occur in the closing period of winter.

Sub-Divisions

The District of Hoshiarpur comprises four sub-divisions, ten development blocks, eight municipal councils and one notified area committee, as per details given below:

Administrative Divisions

  • Hoshiarpur
  • Dasuya
  • Mukerian
  • Garhshankar

Development Blocks

  • Hoshiarpur-I
  • Hoshiarpur-II
  • Bhunga :
  • Tanda
  • Dasuya
  • Mukerian
  • Talwara
  • Hajipur
  • Mahilpur
  • Garhdiwala
  • Garhshankar

Municipal Councils

  • Hoshiarpur
  • Garhdiwala
  • Harian
  • Tanda
  • harsi pind
  • Khudda
  • Dasuya'
  • Mukerian
  • terkiana

Notified Area Committee

  • Mahilpur
  • Hoshiarpu

District administration

  • Sectoral development is looked after by the district head/officer of each development department such as PWD, Health, Education, Agriculture, Animal husbandry, etc. These officers are from various Punjab state services.

Education

Govt. College,Hoshiarpur was home to part of the Panjab University for a short duration after partition until its relocation. One of its well-known student and alumni is Mr Manmohan Singh, the present Prime Minister of India . The town is home to the Vishveshvaranand Institute of Sanskrit and Indological Studies (VSIS) at Sadhu Ashram on Hoshiarpur Una road, Shivalik computer Education Hoshiarpur, which may receive university status in the future.

Schools

  • Vidya Mandir Senior Model School (The Mall)
  • Saini Sabha Senior Model School
  • Bliss Public School (Phagwara Road)
  • SIR MARSHAL CONVENT SCHOOL BHALIALA.(HARIANA TO JANAURI ROAD)
  • SIR MARSHAL SPORTS SCHOOL BAINS AWAN.(TANDA TO SRI HARGOBINDPUR ROAD)
  • SIR MARSHAL CONVENT SCHOOL NANOWAL.(HOSHIARPUR TO TANDA ROAD)
  • D.A.V.Senior Secondary School, Hoshiarpur (for Boys) estd. in 1898
  • Ch.Balbir Singh Public School, Hoshiarpur (co-ed)
  • Mount Carmel Sr. Sec. School, Hoshiarpur (co-ed)
  • Mount carmel School, Bhunga(co-ed)
  • Mount carmel School, Mehtiana(co-ed)
  • Mount carmel School, Garhshankar(co-ed)
  • GMA city public school (co-ed)
  • Govt. Sr. Sec. School(Boys)
  • St. Josephs Convent School(co-ed)
  • Param Dayal Public School
  • The Trinity School (co-ed)
  • Woodlands Overseas school
  • S.D Sr. Sec. School(Girls)
  • S.D Sr. Sec. School(Boys)
  • St.Soldier Divine Public School(co-ed)
  • Nehru Shishu Vidyalaya
  • Shishu Shiksha Mandir Senior Model School(co-ed)
  • Lala Lajpatrai Senior Model School(co-ed)

Famous People from Hoshiarpur

  • Late Tikka Muhammad Khan a rich amd one of the most respectable rajput of his time and the grandson of Tikka Shadi Khan whom was honoured with the title of TIKKA meaning the chief of RANAS .TIKKA SHADI KHAN WAS THE DIERECT DECENDENT OF MAHARANA SANGA(the king of mehwar) OF SURIVANSHI CLAN OF RAJPUTS.AFTER THE PARTITION HE LEFT HOSHAIRPUR AND MIGRATED TO MONTGOMRE DISTRICT.

References

  1. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Hoshiarpur
  2. ^ Template:GR
  3. ^ "Sir Roper Lethbridge K.C.I.E.,The Golden Book of India, Macmillan and Co., 1893"
  4. ^ "The Panjab chiefs : historical and biographical notices of the principal families in the Lahore and Rawalpindi divisions of the Panjab by Lepel Henry Griffin, Sir; Charles Francis Massy."

Pankaj Sharma 'Hoshiarpuri' a Poet and ghazal writer

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