Famous Personalities of Punjab: 15+ List of People from Punjab

Punjab, known as the Land of Five Rivers, has given birth to numerous leaders, revolutionaries, artists, and sports icons who have left a lasting impact on history and society. From freedom fighters who played a crucial role in India’s independence to women pioneers who broke societal barriers, the people of Punjab have made remarkable contributions in various fields. In this blog, we will explore some of the most famous personalities of Punjab, highlighting their biographical journey, career milestones, and lasting legacy. Whether you are a student preparing for a competitive exam or simply want to enhance your general knowledge, this article will provide valuable insights into people from Punjab.

Top 10 Famous Personalities of Punjab

Punjab has produced outstanding individuals across various fields, including politics, music, sports, and cinema. Here are the 10 most famous personalities of Punjab who have made a significant impact on India and beyond.

1. Bhagat Singh (1907–1931) – The Revolutionary Martyr

Bhagat Singh, one of India’s most influential revolutionaries, was born in Banga, Punjab (now in Pakistan). From a young age, he was deeply influenced by freedom movements and vowed to free India from British rule.

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Bhagat Singh
Date of Birth	28 September 1907
Place of Birth	Banga, Punjab (Now in Pakistan)
Died On	23 March 1931 (Executed)
Career Milestones	1928: He and his associates planned the assassination of James Scott but mistakenly killed J.P. Saunders. 1929: He threw bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly in protest against repressive laws. 1931: He was executed at the age of 23, becoming an immortal symbol of bravery and sacrifice.
Known For	Revolutionary freedom fighter, Courageous nationalism
Legacy	Inspiration for future revolutionaries, Symbol of India’s freedom struggle

Do Check Out:

• Essay on Bhagat Singh
• 15 Facts About Bhagat Singh
• Why Was Bhagat Singh Hanged?
• 30 Thought of the Day by Bhagat Singh

2. Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780–1839) – The Lion of Punjab

Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh Empire, was an exceptional warrior and statesman. Born in Gujranwala (now in Pakistan), he unified Punjab into a powerful kingdom. His golden decoration of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) and tolerant governance made him one of India’s greatest rulers.

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Date of Birth	13 November 1780
Place of Birth	Gujranwala, Punjab (Now in Pakistan)
Died On	27 June 1839
Career Milestones	1801: Declared himself the Maharaja of Punjab. 1809-1839: Built a strong empire, modernised the army, and maintained secular rule. 1839: Passed away, leaving behind a legacy of strength, justice, and unity.
Known For	Unification of Punjab, Strong military leadership
Legacy	Secular rule, Built Golden Temple’s gold-plated structure, Maintained peace in Punjab

Also Read:

• Battle of Aliwal: Background, Events, Outcome
• Battle of Sobraon: Background, Events & More
• Top Great Leaders of the World

3. Lala Lajpat Rai (1865–1928) – Punjab Kesari

Lala Lajpat Rai, known as the “Lion of Punjab,” was a prominent freedom fighter and social reformer. His sacrifice led to the birth of revolutionary movements, inspiring Bhagat Singh and his comrades.

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Lala Lajpat Rai
Date of Birth	28 January 1865
Place of Birth	Dhudike, Punjab
Died On	17 November 1928 (Injuries from Lathi charge)
Career Milestones	1897: Founded the Nationalist Arya Samaj movement. 1920: Led the Non-Cooperation Movement with Mahatma Gandhi. 1928: Attacked during the Simon Commission protest and succumbed to injuries.
Known For	Fearless nationalism, Social reforms
Legacy	Inspired revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, known as the “Lion of Punjab”

Must Read: Lala Lajpat Rai Birth Anniversary

4. Kapil Dev (1959–Present) – Cricket Legend

Born in Chandigarh, Kapil Dev led India to its first Cricket World Cup victory in 1983. He remains an icon in Indian sports history, inspiring cricketers worldwide.

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Kapil Dev Ramlal Nikhanj
Date of Birth	6 January 1959
Place of Birth	Chandigarh, Punjab
Career Milestones	1978: Made his debut for India’s national team. 1983: Led India to its first-ever World Cup victory against the West Indies. 1994: Retired with 434 test wickets, a record at the time.
Known For	All-round cricketing ability, Inspirational leadership
Legacy	Inspired future cricketers, Honored with Padma Bhushan and Wisden Cricketer of the Century

Read about the Famous Sports Person of India: Names and Achievements here!

5. Gurdas Maan (1957–Present) – The Voice of Punjab

Gurdas Maan, the legendary Punjabi singer, transformed the music industry with his soulful voice and meaningful lyrics.

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Gurdas Maan
Date of Birth	4 January 1957
Place of Birth	Giddarbaha, Punjab
Career Milestones	1980: Rose to fame with “Dil Da Mamla Hai”. 1990s-Present: Released multiple albums, redefining Punjabi folk music. 2009: Honored with the Padma Shri Award.
Known For	Punjabi folk singing, Thought-provoking lyrics
Legacy	Revitalised Punjabi music, Honored with Padma Shri

6. Dr. Manmohan Singh (1932–2024) – India’s Former Prime Minister

Born in Gah (now in Pakistan), Dr. Manmohan Singh was an economist, reformer, and politician. His contributions to India’s financial and global stature are unmatched.

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Dr. Manmohan Singh
Date of Birth	26 September 1932
Place of Birth	Gah, Punjab (Now in Pakistan)
Died On	26 December 2024
Career Milestones	1991: Introduced economic reforms as India’s Finance Minister. 2004–2014: Served as India’s 13th Prime Minister. 2010: Key architect of India’s economic boom.
Known For	Economic policies, Diplomatic leadership
Legacy	Architect of India’s economic liberalisation, Respected economist

Do Check Out:

• 20 Facts about Indian Economy
• 23 Best Quotes by Manmohan Singh in English for Motivation

7. Yuvraj Singh (1981–Present) – The Sixer King

Yuvraj Singh is one of India’s greatest cricketers. He is known for his aggressive batting, all-around performance, and match-winning capabilities. Born on 12 December 1981 in Chandigarh, his father, Yograj Singh, a former Indian cricketer, introduced him to cricket at an early age. He made his international debut in 2000 in the ICC Knockout Trophy and quickly became known for his powerful stroke play.

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Yuvraj Singh
Date of Birth	12 December 1981
Place of Birth	Chandigarh, Punjab
Career Milestones	2000: Debuted in international cricket. 2007 and 2011: Played key roles in T20 and ODI World Cup victories. 2012: Overcame cancer and made a heroic comeback.
Known For	Hard-hitting batting, Fighting spirit
Legacy	Motivational icon for cancer survivors, One of India’s best all-rounders

Also Read:

• 5 Famous Personalities Who Recovered From Cancer
• Famous Indian Cricketers of All Time for Sports Enthusiasts

8. Amrita Pritam (1919–2005) – The Literary Icon

Amrita Pritam was a trailblazing Punjabi poet, novelist, and essayist, often regarded as the first prominent female Punjabi writer. She began writing at a young age and published her first collection of poems at just 16. However, her most famous poem, “Ajj Aakhaan Waris Shah Nu”, written after the Partition, reflected the pain and suffering caused by the division of India and Pakistan.

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Amrita Pritam
Date of Birth	31 August 1919
Place of Birth	Gujranwala, Punjab (Now in Pakistan)
Died On	31 October 2005
Career Milestones	1947: Wrote “Ajj Aakhaan Waris Shah Nu”, reflecting on Partition. 1956: Became the first woman to win the Sahitya Akademi Award. 2004: Honored with the Padma Vibhushan.
Known For	Feminist literature, Partition poetry
Legacy	Inspired generations of writers, Padma Vibhushan Awardee

Read about Top 10 Famous Authors of India and Their Books here!

9. Milkha Singh (1935–2021) – The Flying Sikh

Milkha Singh, also known as the “Flying Sikh,” was India’s greatest sprinter. Born on 20 November 1929 in Govindpura (now in Pakistan), he lost his parents during the Partition of India and moved to India as a refugee. Despite facing immense hardships, Milkha Singh joined the Indian Army, where his talent for running was discovered. He soon became India’s first major track and field star, dominating national and international competitions.

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Milkha Singh
Date of Birth	20 November 1929
Place of Birth	Govindpura, Punjab (Now in Pakistan)
Died On	18 June 2021
Career Milestones	1958: Won Gold at the Commonwealth Games. 1960: Missed an Olympic medal by a fraction of a second. 2013: His life inspired the Bollywood film “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag”.
Known For	Athletics, Speed
Legacy	First Indian to win a track event gold, Story adapted into “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag”

10. Surjit Patar (1944–Present) – The Modern Punjabi Poet

Surjit Patar is a renowned contemporary Punjabi poet, known for his profound literary works that reflect Punjab’s cultural heritage, social issues, and human emotions. After completing his Ph.D. in Punjabi literature, he began writing poetry that resonated with readers for its simplicity, depth, and emotional appeal. His poetry captures the essence of Punjab’s rich traditions while addressing modern social concerns.

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Surjit Patar
Date of Birth	14 January 1944
Place of Birth	Punjab, India
Career Milestones	1978: Published his first poetry collection “Hawa Vich Likhe Harf”. 1999: Won the Sahitya Akademi Award. 2021: Received the Padma Shri Award.
Known For	Punjabi poetry, Cultural activism
Legacy	Revived modern Punjabi literature, Influential poet

Famous Freedom Fighters of Punjab

Punjab played a pivotal role in India’s independence movement. Some of the top 10 freedom fighters of Punjab include:

1. Bhagat Singh (1907–1931): A revolutionary who played a key role in India’s independence struggle and was executed at the age of 23.
2. Lala Lajpat Rai (1865–1928): Known as the “Lion of Punjab”, he led protests against British rule and succumbed to injuries from police brutality.
3. Udham Singh (1899–1940): Avenged the Jallianwala Bagh massacre by assassinating General Michael O’Dwyer in London.
4. Kartar Singh Sarabha (1896–1915): A young revolutionary from Punjab who played a major role in the Ghadar Movement.
5. Sukhdev Thapar (1907–1931): A close associate of Bhagat Singh, he was hanged for his role in the Lahore Conspiracy Case.

Know about 20+ Indian Freedom Fighters Name and Photo here!

Famous Female Personalities of Punjab

Women have played an influential role in shaping Punjab’s history. Some famous female personalities of Punjab include:

1. Amrita Pritam (1919–2005): First prominent female Punjabi writer, known for her poetry on Partition.
2. Rani Jindan Kaur (1817–1863): The last queen of Punjab and the wife of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, she fought against British rule.
3. Kiran Bedi (1949–Present): India’s first female IPS officer and a social reformer.
4. Harnaaz Sandhu (2000–Present): Crowned Miss Universe 2021, bringing international recognition to India.
5. Harbhajan Kaur (1926–Present): Started her entrepreneurial journey at the age of 90 by making homemade sweets.

Check out:

• 50 Most Popular Women of India You Must Know!
• 10 Famous Female Leaders in Indian History
• 15+ Famous Female Entrepreneurs in India 

FAQs 

Find more interesting reads here!

Famous Women Scientists Who Changed the World	120+ Great Personalities Who Inspired the World!
18 Female Chief Ministers in India	Famous Speeches by Women
11+ Famous Personalities from Andhra Pradesh	7 Famous Personalities from Bihar
7 Most Famous Personalities from Gujarat	13 Famous Personalities of Rajasthan

The people of Punjab have significantly contributed to India’s history, culture, sports, and literature. From revolutionaries and rulers to poets and sports icons, their legacies continue to inspire generations. 

This was all about the famous people from Punjab and their notable achievements. If you wish to read about more famous personalities, stay tuned to Leverage Edu.