Situated in the northwestern part of India, Punjab the land of five rivers and astounding cultural past. Known for its food, culture, and history, Punjab is visited by travelers who need to make the most of its dynamic culture, and food.
Punjab has been appropriately nicknamed the 'smiling Soul of India, ' where you will consistently observing smile of the face of local people.
The beguiling cities and towns of Punjab are spotted with various monuments, gurudwaras, rivers, museums, temple, ashrams, and natural life sanctuary, which are home to numerous uncommon types of animals and birds.
The Indian state of Punjab is named the "Land of Five Rivers"
The term "Punjab" is generated from the assortment of two Persian words- Panj' which implies five and Ab' implying water, bestowing the actual meaning to the term "Land of Five Rivers".
The five rivers which bestowed Punjab its title are Beas, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej. These rivers streaming through Punjab comprise a crucial geographical characteristic of the state.
Let us discuss these rivers in detail:
Beas River
Beas river is spoken of in the Vedas by the term Arjikiya and named Vipasa in Sanskrit. The river originates from Beas Kund in Himachal Pradesh and reaches the Hoshiarpur region of Punjab. The complete length of the river is approximately 470 Km.
Chenab River
The river is recognized by the title Askani in Vedas and Chandrabahga in Sanskrit. The river originates from the upper Himalayas in Lahaul and Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh, streams through the Jammu area, and then ultimately reaches into Punjab state in Pakistan.
It does not stream on the Indian side of the state of Punjab. The full length of the river is approximately 960 Km.
Jhelum River
The river Jhelum is named Vitasta in Vedic and Sanskrit dialect. It is the western-most river among the five rivers of Punjab and is a branch of the Chenab river.
The river originates from Verinag Spring situated in Kashmir, streams through Srinagar and the Wular Lake, and then eventually reaches into Punjab state in Pakistan. It does not stream on the Indian side of the state of Punjab. The full length of the river is approximately 725 Km.
Ravi River
This river is titled as Purushini in Vedas and Iravati in Sanskrit. It surges in the Himalayas in the Chamba region of Himachal Pradesh and reaches Punjab near Madhopur.
It then streams along the international Indo-Pakistan boundary for some distance before reaching Pakistan and meeting the Chenab river. The complete length of the river is approximately 720 Km.
Sutlej River
Sutlej (or Satluj) is the eastern-most branch of the River Indus. The river originates from the Rakshastal lake in Tibet and then reaches India, firstly, in Himachal Pradesh and then in Ropar region of Punjab. It is approximately 1,500 km long and speculated the longest river in the state.
History of Punjab
Although the term "Punjab" was employed for the initial time in the book Tarikh-e-Sher Shah in 1580, the area's past goes back thousands of years. Alexander the Great's charge, over 300 years before the birth of Christ, had an enormous affect on the area as a whole, not just Punjab.
After Alexander's assault Punjab's rule continual grew, with the Sakas, the Kushan and the Guptan Empires all practicing power at several points, until it reached under Muslim rule in 713 AD, and where it dwelled for the succeeding 600 years.
Dominations of Banda Bahadur at the beginning of the 18th century saw a duration of Sikh rule up until the British entered. The Anglo-Sikh Wars (1845-46 & 1848-49) were followed by the annexation of Punjab to British India, before plunging under British rule entirely in 1849.
When the British left and partition eventually occurred, Punjab was divided, with East Punjab becoming portion of India and West Punjab serving portion of Pakistan. The partition was established on Hindu and Muslim population majorities, with Muslim regions settling portion of Pakistan and Hindu regions becoming portion of India.
In reality, the split was exceptionally ill-judged by the British, with their anguish to get out meaning that the area was abandoned with fighting extensively. Of the war that occurred across both nations, Punjab was one of the nastiest implicated regions with millions losing their lives.
Interesting Facts About the land of five river
- The name Punjab is arisen from two Persian phrases. Punj five and aab water. This pertains to its unofficial name "the land of five rivers".
- Punjab is a historical seat of learning the ancientest university in India, titled Taxila is established here.
- The Golden Temple is the most visited location in the world.
- Punjab is dwelling to the largest number of rolling steel mill plants and is pertained to as "Steel Town".
- The state is endowed with abundant, fertile soil, which generates 19 % of India's wheat, 11 % of the nation's rice, and 10.26% of India's cotton. It is recognized as India's Bread Basket and India's Granary
Here's a Cultural guide to the land of five rivers- Punjab
Cuisine
Punjab is one of the most prosperous states in India, and the food of Punjab verifies this in each bite. Punjabi Cuisine is one of the unique and well known Indian cooking styles. A most amazing aspect concerning Punjabi food is its variety.
While meat darlings can never have enough of Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken and Amritsari Machchi, vegan toll is similarly magnificent.
Sarson ka Saag, Makki di roti, parathas, Chole Bhature and Dal Makhni are only a bunch of veggies lover Punjabi specialities with fans over the globe. Punjabi food is healthy and fragrant. Made with lots of ghee, cream, margarine, seasoned with rich flavors and profound flavors.
Advance agriculture
Punjab, the land of five rivers, has advanced in the field of agriculture. Punjab has prolific alluvial soil and is well-supported by irrigation channels. It is known as the "Granary of India" or India's bread-basket; the main harvests of Punjab are grain, wheat, rice, maize, and sugarcane.
Among the feeds crops are bajra and jowar. The fundamental wellsprings of water system are channels and tube wells. It produces around 20% of India's wheat and around 9% of India's rice. It contributes almost 66% to the absolute creation of food grains and 33% of milk creation in the nation.
Music
Punjab is famous for its unique dance and music. Punjabi music is one of a kind. There are no complications, no exaggerations, yet at the same time, the tune and cadence of the melodies brings you into an alternate world.
From Punjabi pop to Sufi, they rock it. Punjab has the best music recordings and best craftsmen. Bollywood has maximum vocalist from Punjab, to give some examples, Daler Mehndi, Mika (universal), Master Saleem (Sufi Prince), Nooran Sisters (Sufi), Sukhwinder Singh, Jagjit Singh, K.L. Saigal, Jaspinder Narula, Labh Janjua, Yo Honey Singh and many more. Usually all traditional dances of the state are went with a dhol.
Culture
The culture of Punjab has its extraordinary aroma. It is unique. The way of life of Punjab is known for its uniqueness. There is an exclusive and high spirits which are displayed on the way of life of the Punjabi individuals.
It is popular for its hospitality. A visitor in Punjab is considered as a figure sent by God. Hospitality advances fellowship and holds a unique hugeness for bringing individuals closer; love and benevolence stream out of it.
In Punjab, they state that the more you love the more it increases and you get back a lot more occasions the benevolence that you give.
Phulkari
Phulkari, which means 'flower work,' is native to Punjab. It is result of ladies carefully going through hours together sewing smooth strings in striking geometric patterns. A material weaved with the work is known as a 'bagh' or garden to connote the vivid flower like themes on the fabric.
Spun from the charkha this tremendous style of weaving is designed on odinis, wraps, kurtis and chunris. The base fabric is coarse cotton and is regularly brilliantly hued like red, yellow, and so forth.
Ladies wear them on unique events like celebrations and weddings. Customarily, ladies sewed them at home for individual use and gave them over as legacies to their girls. Today, numerous ladies make these masterpieces available to be purchased and you can get the one of them as a gift, when in Punjab.
In addition, Punjab is also known for its handicrafts, textiles, and jewelry. Visitors can shop for traditional Punjabi fabrics such as Phulkari, Phulkari dupattas and Punjabi Jutti. The handicrafts of Punjab are also quite popular among tourists, such as pottery, wood carving, and metalwork.
Punjab land of five rivers is a state with a rich culture, history, and heritage, and there are many hidden and offbeat places that visitors can explore.
Here are a few lesser known places in Punjab that are worth visiting:
1. Qila Mubarak:
This ancient fort is located in Bathinda and is one of the oldest forts in India. It dates back to the 11th century and is known for its architectural beauty and historical significance. Visitors can explore the various halls, courtyards, and temples within the fort.
2. Harike Wetland:
This wetland is located on the confluence of the Sutlej and Beas rivers and is a popular spot for birdwatching. Visitors can also take a boat ride on the wetland to see the various species of birds and other wildlife that call it home.
3. Bir Talab Zoo:
This zoo is located in Ludhiana and is known for its wide variety of animal species and well-maintained gardens. Visitors can see various animals such as lions, tigers, bears, and deer.
4. Guru Ke Mahal:
This palace is located in Muktsar and is the ancestral home of the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. The palace is known for its architectural beauty and historical significance.
5. Tarn Taran Sahib:
This town is located in Amritsar district and is known for its historical significance. Visitors can explore the many gurdwaras and temples in the town, including the Tarn Taran Sahib Gurdwara, which is one of the most important Sikh shrines in the world.
6. Rangla Punjab:
This village theme park is located in Amritsar and is a perfect place to experience the rich culture and heritage of Punjab. Visitors can see the traditional Punjabi lifestyle and culture, as well as enjoy traditional Punjabi food and folk performances.
7. The Fort Gobindgarh:
This fort is located in Amritsar, it was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and it has been converted into a museum now. This fort has a rich historical significance and it's a great place to learn about the history of Punjab.
These places may not be as well-known as some of the more popular tourist destinations in Punjab, but they offer a unique and authentic experience for visitors looking to explore the state's hidden gems.
