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The state of Punjab is located in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent. Its present form was established on November 1, 1996, when its Hindi-speaking regions were separated to form a new state, Haryana. Moreover, Punjab is famous for its festivals, delicious food, upbeat music, rich culture, and the Golden Temple, located in Amritsar. Did you know that phulkari, which translates to flower work, is the traditional embroidery art of Punjab? Here are other interesting facts about Punjab you must know before visiting this Indian state.
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Amazing Fun Facts About Punjab
1. The word Punjab comes from the Persian word panj (five) and aab (water).
2. Punjab means the land of five rivers, which are Beas, Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, and Sutlej. Out of these rivers, Chenab and Jhelum flow in the Punja,b situated in Pakistan.
3. In 1966, the Punjab Reorganisation Act carved out Himachal Pradesh and Haryana from Punjab.
4. Punjab is divided into three regions, Majha, Doaba, and Malwa.
5. Agriculture holds primary importance in Punjab’s economy.
6. Punjab contributes about two-thirds of the total food grain production in India. It also provides a third of milk production.
7. These rivers make Punjab’s soil fertile and conducive for wheat cultivation. This is why it is also known as the Wheat Bowl of India.
8. According to the World Book of Records, the Golden Temple in Amritsar is the most visited tourist place in the world.
9. Amritsar’s Golden Temple runs a free and massive community kitchen, known as langar, every day to feed thousands of people.
10. Earlier, Punjab was known as Trigarta. It was a kingdom mentioned in the ancient Hindu scripture, the Mahabharata.
11. Punjabi is the official language of this state and the tenth most commonly spoken language in the world.
12. There are 23 districts and 237 towns in Punjab.
13. Researchers found traces of the Indus Valley Civilisation with cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro now located in the modern-day Pakistani province of Punjab.
14. The High Court of Punjab and Haryana is a common one for Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh.
15. India attained the Attari village upon its partition, whereas Wagah merged into Pakistan. A unique ceremony, known as the Silly Walk ceremony, takes place every day, two hours before sunset, on the Wagah-Attari border every day.
16. Chandigarh, a union territory of India, serves as the capital of Punjab and Haryana.
17. The major faiths and beliefs practised in Punjab include Sikhism, Hinduism, and Islam.
18. Punjabi cinema is known as Pollywood.
19. Lohri, Baisakhi, and Diwali are some of the most popular festivals observed in Punjab.
20. Gatka is a Sikh Martial Art which originated in Punjab. It is often performed during Sikh festivals and events.
Also Read – 32 Interesting Facts About Haryana in English
Facts About the Geography of Punjab
- Punjab is located in the northwestern part of India, sharing borders with Pakistan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
- “Punjab” means “Land of Five Rivers” – referring to the rivers Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.
- In Indian Punjab today, only the Sutlej and Beas flow; the other three lie in Pakistan.
- The capital of Punjab is Chandigarh, which is also a Union Territory and shared with Haryana.
- Punjab has a fertile alluvial plain, ideal for agriculture, formed by centuries of river deposition.
- Punjab’s elevation ranges from about 180 to 300 meters above sea level, making it relatively flat.
- The Sutlej River is the longest river in Punjab and plays a key role in irrigation.
- The Shiwalik Hills or foothills of the Himalayas lie in the northeastern part of Punjab, especially near Pathankot.
- Punjab’s geography is divided into doabs – land between two rivers, like the Bari Doab and Bist Doab.
- Punjab has an extreme climate – hot summers, cold winters, and a monsoon season.
- The region is rich in alluvial soil, perfect for wheat, rice, and sugarcane farming.
- Punjab is often called the “Granary of India” or “Breadbasket of India” due to its high agricultural productivity.
- Punjab is part of the Indo-Gangetic Plain, one of the most fertile regions in the world.
- Punjab has one of the most developed canal irrigation systems in India.
- Forests cover around 6% of the state’s geographical area, mostly in the northeast near the hills.
- Punjab lies in Seismic Zone IV, making it moderately prone to earthquakes.
- The groundwater level in Punjab is depleting due to overuse in agriculture, especially for paddy cultivation.
- Punjab has limited natural mineral resources but rich water and fertile soil resources.
- The state supports a variety of flora and fauna, especially in areas like Harike Wetland and Keshopur-Miani.
- Punjab shares an international border with Pakistan, which has strategic geographical and political significance.
Interesting Facts About Punjab’s Historical and Political Significance
1. Politically Active and Influential State
Punjab plays a key role in national politics and has produced several influential leaders, including Giani Zail Singh, India’s first Sikh President.
2. Land of the Indus Valley Civilisation
Punjab was home to ancient cities like Harappa, one of the earliest urban centres in human history.
3. Birthplace of Sikhism
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, was born in Nankana Sahib (now in Pakistan’s Punjab). The religion grew and flourished in Indian Punjab.
4. Powerful Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Maharaja Ranjit Singh established a strong and secular empire in the early 19th century with Lahore as its capital.
5. Key Region in the Indian Freedom Struggle
Punjab gave birth to legendary freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh, and Lala Lajpat Rai.
6. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
In 1919, British troops under General Dyer opened fire on peaceful protesters in Amritsar — a turning point in India’s independence movement.
7. Major Impact of the Partition of 1947
Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan, leading to massive migration, violence, and social upheaval.
8. Operation Blue Star (1984)
A major political and military operation was conducted at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, which deeply affected Punjab’s history and politics.
9. Wagah Border – Symbol of Nationalism
The daily flag-lowering ceremony at the India-Pakistan border in Punjab is a major attraction and symbol of patriotism.
10. Green Revolution Pioneer
Punjab led India’s Green Revolution in the 1960s–70s, transforming the country into a food surplus nation.
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FAQs
An interesting fact about the state of Punjab is that it is the state of the five rivers, Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum.
One unique fact about Punjab is that in 1966, the Punjab Reorganisation Act carved out Himachal Pradesh and Haryana from Punjab.
Punjab is famous for its Golden Temple, festivals like Baisakhi, Gatka, and delicious food.
Punjabi is the 11th most spoken language in the world. It has deep poetic roots, vibrant literature, and is the only tonal Indo-Aryan language, giving it a musical and expressive sound.
Punjab was the land of iconic revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh and Udham Singh, and witnessed major events like the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Hope you had fun reading these interesting facts about Punjab. If you like reading about facts, you can visit our interesting facts page to read more such blogs.
