Gurdaspur: Located in northern Punjab, Gurdaspur is a district with a long history and strong links with Sikh heritage. Situated between the Ravi and Beas rivers, the district includes important towns and historical places such as Gurdaspur, Batala, Kalanaur, Qadian, Sri Hargobindpur and Dera Baba Nanak.

Gurdaspur District at a Glance

According to the supplied district information, Gurdaspur has 11 blocks — Gurdaspur, Dhariwal, Kalanaur, Dorangla, Kahnuwan, Dinanagar, Batala, Qadian, Sri Hargobindpur, Fatehgarh Churian and Dera Baba Nanak.

• Population: 2,299,026 (Census 2011)
• Villages: 1,124
• Blocks: 11
• Gram Panchayats: 663
• Tehsils: 3
• Municipal Councils: 8
• Vidhan Sabha Constituencies: 7

History of Gurdaspur

Gurdaspur was founded by Guriya Ji in the beginning of the 17th century and was named after him. Guriya Ji bought the land for Gurdaspur from Jats of Sangi Gotra. Some people were already living in huts in the old city.

Guriya Ji was a Sanwal Brahmin of Kaushal Gotra from Paniar village, situated five miles north of Gurdaspur. His ancestors had come from Ayodhya and settled in Paniar. Guriya Ji had two sons, Nawal Rai and Pala Ji. The descendants of Nawal Rai settled in Gurdaspur.

Nawal Rai's son Baba Deep Chand was a contemporary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. It is believed that Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave Baba Deep Chand the title of Ganj Bakhsh, meaning Owner of Treasure. His descendants are known as Mahants.

Gurdaspur Through Different Periods of History

The ancient history of the district includes antiquities such as the rock temples at Mukheshwar. Gurdaspur and its neighbouring districts were also associated with the expeditions of Alexander, who reached the River Beas during his campaign of conquest. He fought a battle with the Kathaians at Sangala, located near Fatehgarh in Gurdaspur.

From the latter half of the 10th century up to 1919 AD, the district was ruled by the Shahi dynasty under Jayapal and Anandpal. Kalanaur was an important town during the period of the Delhi emperors from the 14th to the 16th century.

Kalanaur was attacked by Jasrath Khokhar after his unsuccessful assault on Lahore in 1422 and again in 1428, when Malik Sikander marched to relieve the place and defeated Jasrath.

Kalanaur also has an important association with Mughal history. Akbar was installed by Bairam Khan on a throne in February 1556. The masonry platform marking the spot is located about one-and-a-half kilometres east of the town.

Gurdaspur and Sikh History

Several Sikh Gurus have close associations with the district. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, born in 1469 in Lahore district, married Sulakhni, daughter of Mool Chand, a Khatri of Pakhoke in Dera Baba Nanak, in 1485.

Guru Hargobind Ji refounded Sri Hargobindpur, which had earlier been known as Rahila. Banda Bahadur, a disciple of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, used the district as a base for raids up to Lahore. Emperor Bahadur Shah conducted an expedition against him in 1711.

Banda Bahadur fought his last battle with the Mughals at Gurdas Nangal in the district and was captured there.

The district later witnessed struggles between the Ramgarhia and Kanhaya Misals. The power of the former was broken in 1808 and that of the latter in 1811 by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who subsequently assumed control over the district.

Dinanagar, known for its mango gardens and running canal, was a favourite summer residence of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. When not engaged elsewhere, he used to spend the hot-weather months of May and June there.

Gurdaspur During Partition

During the Partition of India in 1947, the future of Gurdaspur remained undecided for several days. The Radcliffe boundary award transferred Shakargarh Tehsil of Gurdaspur district to Pakistan, while the remaining district was transferred to India.

The Muslim population migrated to Pakistan, while Hindu and Sikh refugees from Sialkot and Shakargarh Tehsil migrated to Gurdaspur after crossing the Ravi bridge and settled across the district.

Location of Gurdaspur

Gurdaspur is the northernmost district of Punjab and falls in the Jalandhar division. It lies between the Ravi and Beas rivers.

The district is located between north latitude 31°36′ and 32°34′ and east longitude 74°56′ and 75°24′. It shares boundaries with Pathankot district in the north, the Beas River in the north-east, Hoshiarpur district in the south-east, Kapurthala district in the south, Amritsar district in the south-west and Pakistan in the north-west.

Geography and Topography

The three tehsils — Gurdaspur, Batala and Dera Baba Nanak — are largely plain and similar in structure to the rest of the Punjab plains. The district has varied topography comprising undulating plains, the flood plains of the Ravi and Beas, and upland plains.

An area of about 128 sq km in the south is highly dissected and undulating, with elevation ranging from about 305 to 381 metres above sea level. The flood plains of the Ravi and Beas are separated from the upland plain by sharp river-cut bluffs.

The upland plain covers a large part of the district. Its elevation ranges from about 305 metres above sea level in the north-east to about 213 metres in the south-west, with a gentle gradient of about one metre in 1.6 km.

Ravi, Beas and Water Resources

The Beas and Ravi are the two main rivers flowing through the district. Both originate near the Rohtang Pass in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh. Their water levels fluctuate according to seasons and rainfall.

The district also has local swampy depressions known as Chhambs. Kahnuwan Chhamb stretches along the Beas River in Gurdaspur tehsil. Keshopur Chhamb is another such wetland, while other former Chhambs include Dhan Rai, Narod Budiulzama, Paniar, Bucha Nangal and Naranwali.

A network of canals under the Upper Bari Doab Canal system irrigates much of the district. Its main branches include the Lahore, Kasur and Sabhraon branches.

The Ravi-Beas link, completed around 1954, diverts part of the Ravi water into Chakki Khad, a tributary of the Beas.

Ranjit Sagar Dam

Ranjit Sagar Dam is a multipurpose river valley project on the Ravi, about 24 km upstream of Madhopur Head Works. The project comprises a 160-metre-high dam and a 600 MW power plant with four units of 150 MW each. Punjab's share is stated as 452 MW.

Climate and Rainfall

Gurdaspur mainly experiences summer and winter seasons. Summer extends from April to July, while winter is from November to March. Temperatures in summer can touch 44°C or sometimes cross it. June is the hottest month and January the coldest.

Most rain falls in July, while winter rainfall occurs during January and February. Dust storms occur in May and June.

The south-west monsoon generally arrives in the first week of July and continues until the end of August. About 70% of the rainfall occurs during this period.

Ecology and Vegetation

The vegetation of the district varies according to soil, topography and elevation. Afforestation has been undertaken in the plains. Where water is available, Shisham, mulberry, eucalyptus and poplar are planted. Kikar, prosopis and eucalyptus are planted in Kallar areas.

Fruit trees cultivated in the district include mango, mulberry, orange, kinnow and lemon.

Groundwater and Soil

The groundwater is suitable for irrigation and domestic use. Sub-soil water depth ranges from five to eight metres in most parts of the district.

The district's soil is largely alluvial and fertile. It has three types of soil areas — Riarki, Bangar and Bet. The areas of Dhariwal, Ghuman, Qadian, Harchowal and Sri Hargobindpur are called Riarki.

The western side of Kahnuwan lake up to Aliwal canal is known as Bangar, while the area between the Beas and Ravi rivers is known as Bet. Around 300 villages of the district fall in the Bet area.

Mineral Resources

Foundry sand is found at Dharamkot near Batala, about 6.5 km west of Batala. The Dharamkot sand is natural moulding sand containing about 20% clay.

Another sand deposit, about four metres thick, occurs around six kilometres from Batala on the Batala-Qadian road. Sand deposits are also found at Bhagwanpur, about 15 km west of Batala on the Dera Baba Nanak road, and about 10 km from Gurdaspur on the Gurdaspur-Naushera road.

Saltpetre occurs at Thikriwala and Pandori in Gurdaspur tehsil and at Dhawan, Chataurgarh and Badowal in Batala tehsil. It is a source of potassium nitrate.

Major Places of Interest in Gurdaspur

Qadian

Qadian is a historic place associated with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and is among the important places of interest in Gurdaspur district.

Chhota Ghallughara

Chhota Ghallughara is another historic site in the district. Its history is linked with events following the killing of Massa Ranghar by Sukha Singh and Mehtab Singh in 1740.

Gurudwara Sri Kandh Sahib, Batala

Gurudwara Sri Kandh Sahib in Batala is associated with the marriage of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Guru Nanak Dev Ji came to this place as a bridegroom.

Achleshwar Dham

Achleshwar Dham is another place of religious interest in the Batala area. The Achaleshwar temple is located opposite the Gurudwara.

How to Reach Gurdaspur

By Air

There are no regular flights to Gurdaspur from other major cities. The nearest airports are at Amritsar and Pathankot.

By Train

Gurdaspur is connected with other major cities through regular train services. Gurdaspur railway station serves the city.

By Bus

Regular bus services connect Gurdaspur with other major cities. Gurdaspur has its own bus station.

Gurdaspur Demography

According to the 2011 Census figures provided, Gurdaspur had a population of 2,299,026, comprising 1,212,995 males and 1,086,031 females. The population had increased by 9.30% compared with 2001.

The average literacy rate was 81.10% in 2011, compared with 73.80% in 2001. Male literacy stood at 85.90% and female literacy at 75.70%. The total literate population was 1,668,339, comprising 928,264 males and 740,075 females.

The sex ratio was about 895 females per 1,000 males, while population density was 649 persons per square kilometre.

From its association with Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Hargobind Ji and Banda Bahadur to the historic importance of Kalanaur, Batala and Qadian, Gurdaspur has a diverse historical and cultural legacy. Its location between the Ravi and Beas rivers also gives the district a distinctive geographical identity in Punjab.