Punjab GK

Chandigarh

Chandigarh is the capital of Punjab. Chandigarh is the joint capital of Haryana and Punjab. Chandigarh is very famous as it is a well-planned city. Chandigarh is a city, district, and union territory of India.

The partition of Punjab along religious lines occurred in 1947 during the partition of British India into India and Pakistan.
It resulted in the creation of West Punjab, which became part of Pakistan with a Muslim majority, and East Punjab, which became part of India with a Hindu majority.

Amritsar is famous for the Golden Temple, also known as Harmandir Sahib.
It is a significant religious and cultural site for Sikhs and is one of the most visited attractions in Punjab.

Chandigarh serves as the capital city of both Punjab and Haryana.
It is a union territory and is considered a separate administrative entity.

Punjabi is written in the Gurmukhi script, which is the official script of the Punjabi language.

While the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers flow through Punjab, the Yamuna river does not.
The Yamuna flows through other states like Uttarakhand, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

On 1 November 1966, Punjab was reorganized based on language.
The Hindi and Haryanvi-speaking regions were separated to form the state of Haryana, and the Punjabi-speaking areas became the current state of Punjab.

As of the article's knowledge cutoff in September 2021, Bhagwant Mann from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was the Chief Minister of Punjab.
Please note that political positions may have changed since then.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh founded the Sikh Empire in 1801.
He united various Sikh kingdoms and created a powerful and prosperous empire in Punjab.

While the Chenab, Jhelum, and Satluj rivers are tributaries of the Indus and flow through Punjab, the Yamuna river is not.
The Yamuna flows through other states in northern India.

The dominant religious groups in Punjab are Sikhs and Hindus.
However, Punjab is a diverse state with followers of various religions living together.

The Rigveda is considered the oldest Hindu text that originated in the Punjab region.
It is a collection of ancient hymns and verses composed between circa 1500 and 1200 B.C.E.
and provides insights into the religious ideas and practices of the Vedic period.

Omphis, the ruler of Taxila, sought to force both King Porus and King Abisares into submission when Alexander the Great invaded the region.
He hoped to leverage the might of Alexander's forces for his own advantage.

King Porus ruled the Taxila Kingdom in the Punjab region.
His kingdom extended between the rivers Hydaspes (Jhelum) and Acesines (ChenaB) and was known for its resistance against Alexander the Great in the Battle of the Hydaspes.

Greek influence in the Punjab region came to an end around 12 B.C.E.
when the region fell under the control of the Sassanid Empire.
This marked the conclusion of the Greco-Bactrian and Indo-Greek rule in the area.

The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, thrived in the Punjab region around 3000 B.C.
It was one of the earliest urban societies, known for its well-planned cities, advanced infrastructure, and distinctive pottery and artifacts.

The Mahabharata, an ancient Hindu epic, chronicles the rise of kingdoms and dynasties in the Punjab region.
It contains accounts of epic battles fought in what is now the state of Haryana and historic Punjab.

King Porus, an ancient local king, fought against Alexander the Great in the Battle of the Hydaspes.
His kingdom spanned between the rivers Hydaspes (Jhelum) and Acesines (ChenaB), and he valiantly resisted Alexander's forces before eventually being defeated.

Alexander's encounter with Porus is historically significant because it brought together Greek and Indian cultures, leading to the syncretism of political and cultural influences.
This interaction gave rise to works of art such as Greco-Buddhist art, which had a lasting impact on the region.

After Alexander's death, Eudemus, who had served as Alexander's satrap in the Punjab region, treacherously killed King Porus.
This event marked a shift in the political dynamics of the region.

Menander I Soter, an Indo-Greek king, conquered Punjab and made Sagala (present-day Sialkot) the capital of the Indo-Greek Kingdom.
Menander is known for his patronage of Greco-Buddhism and is regarded as one of the greatest Indo-Greek kings.

Guru Hargobind, the sixth Guru of Sikhism, declared sovereignty and established the Akal Takht (Throne of the Timeless One) and a fort to defend Amritsar.
This marked a significant step in Sikh history towards asserting their political and military identity.

Jahangir, the Mughal emperor, imprisoned Guru Hargobind at Gwalior.
However, he later released him after a number of years when he no longer perceived him as a threat.

Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Guru of Sikhism, moved the Sikh community to Anandpur and extensively traveled to visit and preach, defying Aurangzeb's attempts to install Ram Rai as the new guru.
Guru Tegh Bahadur's martyrdom played a crucial role in Sikh history and the defense of religious freedom.

The Hindu Shahi dynasty emerged in the Punjab and eastern Afghanistan in the ninth century.
They ruled over a significant portion of Punjab and parts of eastern Afghanistan during their reign.

The Turkic Ghaznavids overthrew the Hindu Shahis in the tenth century.
They established their rule and governed for a period of 157 years, gradually declining as a power until the Ghurid conquest of Lahore in 1186.

Muhammad of Ghor, through his conquest, deposed the last Ghaznavid ruler Khusrau Malik and conquered Lahore in 1186.
This marked a significant shift in power and laid the foundation for the Ghurid rule in the region.

The Delhi Sultanate ruled the Punjab for the next three hundred years after the Ghurid conquest.
The Delhi Sultanate was led by five unrelated dynasties, namely the Mamluks, Khalajis, Tughlaqs, Sayyids, and Lodis.

Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak in the late 15th century.
He composed hymns and teachings that were later collected in the Guru Granth Sahib, the central religious scripture of the Sikhs.

Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa in 1699.
The Khalsa was created as an order to protect the freedom of conscience and religion, with its members embodying the qualities of a Sant-Sipāhī ('saint-soldier').

Colonial rule had a profound impact on the Punjab region.
Economically, it transformed the Punjab into the richest farming area of India, mainly due to the introduction of modern agricultural practices and infrastructure development.
Socially, it sustained the power of large landowners who were favored by the British administration.
Politically, it encouraged cross-communal co-operation among landowning groups, which helped maintain stability and control.

The Punjab region became the major center of recruitment into the Indian Army during colonial rule.
The British actively recruited Punjabi men for military service, and Punjabis formed a significant portion of the British Indian Army due to their martial reputation and physical prowess.

Colonial rule in Punjab brought significant developments in infrastructure and communication.
The British established post systems, railways, roads, and telegraphs to improve transportation and communication networks.
They also created Canal Colonies, which brought vast areas of land under cultivation through irrigation.
Additionally, the introduction of English education opened up new professions and opportunities for the people of Punjab.

As Mughal power weakened, Afghan rulers took control of the Punjab region in the early sixteenth century.
The Afghans became the dominant force in the region, contesting it with other powers such as the Marathas and Sikhs.

The Sikh Empire was established by the Sikhs in 1799 as the Mughal and Afghan powers weakened.
Under the leadership of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Sikhs expanded their influence and established a powerful empire in the Punjab region.

The Cis-Sutlej states were a group of states in modern Punjab and Haryana, lying between the Sutlej River in the north and the Yamuna River in the south.
These states were ruled by the Sikh Misls, which were autonomous Sikh organizations.

The Sikh Empire existed from 1799 to 1849.
It was established in 1799 when Maharaja Ranjit Singh captured Lahore and came to an end in 1849 after the Second Anglo-Sikh War, when it was defeated and annexed by the British.

Lahore, located in Punjab, became the Sikh capital during the Sikh Empire.
It served as the political and administrative center of the empire under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

The East India Company launched the First and Second Anglo-Sikh Wars against the Sikh Empire.
These wars were fought between 1845 and 1849 and resulted in the defeat and annexation of the Sikh Empire by the British.

The Punjab was annexed by the East India Company in 1849.
After the Second Anglo-Sikh War, the Sikh Empire was dissolved, and the Punjab region came under direct British rule.

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated shortly after Operation Blue Star in 1984.
She was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in retaliation for the operation, which was seen as an attack on the Sikh community.
Her assassination led to widespread riots and violence targeting Sikhs across India.

The decade following Indira Gandhi's assassination was characterized by widespread inter-communal violence and accusations of genocide.
In the aftermath of her assassination, anti-Sikh riots erupted in various parts of India, leading to targeted attacks, killings, and destruction of Sikh properties.
The Sikh community bore the brunt of the violence during this period.

The major consequences of independence and the partition of Punjab Province in 1947 were religious homogeneity and population displacement.
The division of the province along religious lines led to mass migrations of Hindus and Sikhs from Pakistani Punjab to Indian Punjab and Muslims from Indian Punjab to Pakistani Punjab.
This resulted in religious homogeneity within districts and significant population displacement.

Colonial rule had a significant impact on Punjab, particularly in terms of economic transformation and agricultural development.
The British introduced modern farming techniques, irrigation systems, and infrastructure such as canals, railways, and roads, which revolutionized agricultural practices in the region.
Punjab became the richest farming area of India under colonial rule, and its agricultural productivity increased significantly.

Operation Blue Star was an Indian Army operation conducted in 1984 with the aim of dealing with the dissident Sikh community in Punjab.
The operation was intended to flush out militants who had fortified themselves in the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, a sacred site for Sikhs.
The operation resulted in a significant loss of life and damage to the temple complex, and it had a profound impact on Sikh-Muslim relations and the political landscape of Punjab.

The partition of Punjab Province in 1947 resulted in a major consequence of religious homogeneity.
The new international border that cut through the region led to wide-scale migration and religious cleansing riots.
As a result, districts witnessed a significant shift towards religious homogeneity, with Hindu-majority districts becoming predominantly Hindu and Muslim-majority districts becoming predominantly Muslim.

The eastern regions of Punjab became Indian Punjab following independence.
These regions, which were part of the British Punjab Province, were incorporated into the newly formed Indian state of Punjab.
The demographic composition of these regions experienced significant changes due to migration and religious partition.

Punjab Day is celebrated across the state of Punjab on 1 November every year.
It marks the formation of a Punjabi language speaking state under the Punjab Reorganisation Act (1966), which united several small Punjabi princely states and merged them with the state of East Punjab to create a new, enlarged Indian state called Punjab.

In 1966, Punjab was divided into the state of Punjab and the Hindi majority-speaking states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
This division was carried out in response to demands from the Hindu and Sikh communities in Punjab for separate states based on linguistic and regional identities.

The insurgency in Punjab from 1981 to 1995 was primarily caused by disputes between Punjabi Sikhs and the central government of India.
Tensions escalated throughout the early 1980s, leading to widespread unrest.
The situation reached a critical point with Operation Blue Star in 1984, which targeted the Sikh community, and the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards.
The subsequent decade was marked by inter-communal violence and accusations of genocide.

The temperature in summer (from Mid-May to Mid-June) may rise to a maximum of 48 °C (rarely). Temperatures generally remain between 35 °C to 45 °C (94 – 112F).

Punjab is bordered by Pakistan's Punjab province on its western side.

Punjab is bordered by Pakistan's Punjab province on its western side.

Punjab's average elevation above sea level is approximately 300 meters, with some areas reaching higher elevations.

The Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers flow through the Indian state of Punjab.

Punjab is divided into three distinct regions based on soil types: southwestern, central, and eastern.

Punjab falls under seismic zone II, which is considered a low-damage risk zone.

The highest temperatures in Punjab are usually experienced in mid-May and June, with temperatures often exceeding 40 °C (104 °F).

Punjab experiences its minimum temperature from December to February, with temperatures dropping below 5 °C (41 °F) for nearly two months during the winter season.

The annual average temperature in Punjab is approximately 21 °C (70 °F).

July has the highest mean monthly temperature range in Punjab, reaching approximately 9 °C (48 °F).

The pre-summer season occurs between March and mid-April in Punjab.
It is a transitional period between winter and summer, characterized by the gradual transition from mild temperatures to hotter conditions.

Ground frost is commonly found in the majority of Punjab during the winter season, which lasts from early December to the end of February.
This indicates that temperatures can fall below freezing during this period.

Punjab experiences the highest temperatures during the summer season, which lasts from mid-April to the end of June.
High temperatures between May and August can range between 40 and 47 °C.

The monsoon season in Punjab begins in the first week of July as monsoon currents generated in the Bay of Bengal bring rain to the region.
The monsoon lasts up to mid-September.

The winter season in Punjab, which lasts from early December to the end of February, experiences minimal temperature variation.
In January, the mean night and day temperatures fall to 5 °C and 12 °C, respectively.

The period between September and November is the post-monsoon transitional season in Punjab.
It is a period of transition between the monsoon and winter seasons, characterized by temperate and dry weather.

Winter rainfall is crucial for winter crops in the Shivalik Hills region of Punjab.
The sub-Shivalik area receives more than 100 millimeters of rainfall in the winter months, which provides relief to the farmers.

The post-Winter transitional season, which occurs in mid-April, marks the commencement of the hot summer season in Punjab.
It is characterized by occasional showers with hail storms and squalls.

The monsoon season in Punjab begins to reduce by the second week of September.
This brings a gradual change in climate and temperature, transitioning from the monsoon to the winter season.

Punjab experiences atmospheric pressure variations during the summer months.
The atmospheric pressure in the region remains around 987 millibar during February and decreases to 970 millibar in June.

Punjab is home to 20 different types of reptiles, contributing to the state's diverse wildlife.

Punjab is home to 396 types of birds, showcasing a rich diversity of avian species.

Harike, located in the district of Tarn Taran Sahib, is a national wetland in Punjab.

EcoSikh has planted over 100 forests in Punjab, following the Japanese Miyawaki methodology, to promote afforestation and reforestation in the state.

The Beas River in Punjab is home to reintroduced gharials, a crocodile species, after their extirpation from the state for half a century.

The state animal of Punjab is the blackbuck (Antilope cervicaprA), a species of antelope.

The Bir forest in Punjab is known for its diverse wildlife, including otters, wild boars, and wildcats.

The state tree of Punjab is the shisham (Dalbergia sissoo), a species of hardwood tree.

Camels can be seen in the desert land of the southern plains in Punjab.

The local subspecies of blackbuck is facing the risk of extirpation from Punjab.

Punjab Police manages state affairs through 22 district heads known as SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police).
Each district is headed by an SSP who oversees law enforcement and security in their respective areas.

Punjab follows a parliamentary system of government, where the Chief Minister is the head of government and holds most executive powers.

The term length of the government in Punjab is 5 years.
After every 5 years, elections are held to form a new government.

The Punjab Legislative Assembly, also known as the Vidhan Sabha, consists of 117 members who are elected from single-seat constituencies.

Chandigarh is the capital city of Punjab.
It is also a Union Territory and serves as the capital of both Punjab and Haryana.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court, located in Chandigarh, provides the judicial branch for Punjab as well as Haryana.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won the majority of seats in the 2022 Assembly elections in Punjab and formed the government with Bhagwant Mann as the Chief Minister.

President's rule has been imposed in Punjab 8 times since 1950, for various reasons including the period of militancy in the 1980s.

The Punjab Police is headed by the DGP (Director General of Police), currently Dinkar Gupta, who is responsible for maintaining law and order in the state.

The Punjab Police has approximately 70,000 employees who work under the leadership of the DGP to ensure the safety and security of the state.

Mohali district in Punjab has the highest GDP per capita among the districts in the state.
It is known for its significant industrial and commercial activities, including the presence of various IT companies and industries.

According to the India State Hunger Index, Punjab has the lowest level of hunger among all the states in India.
This indicates that Punjab has relatively better food security and access to nutrition compared to other states.

Punjab has a significant diaspora settled in countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.
They contribute to Punjab's economy through remittances sent back to the state.
These remittances play a major role in Punjab's economy and contribute to sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and other industries.

The main agricultural crop cultivated in Punjab is wheat.
Punjab is known as the "Granary of India" or "India's bread-basket" due to its significant wheat production.
It contributes around 19.5% of India's total wheat production.

Firozpur District is the largest producer of wheat and rice in Punjab.
These districts have fertile soil and favorable agricultural conditions for the cultivation of these crops.

Punjab contributes approximately 10% of India's total wheat production.
Despite covering only a small percentage of the country's geographical area, Punjab plays a significant role in India's wheat production.

About 80% to 95% of Punjab's agricultural land is owned by the Jat Sikh community, despite comprising only 21% of the state's population.
The Jat Sikh community has traditionally been involved in agriculture and holds a significant share of agricultural land in Punjab.

Punjab has the largest number of steel rolling mill plants in India.
The town of Mandi Gobindgarh in the Fatehgarh Sahib district is known as "Steel Town" and is a major hub for the steel industry in Punjab.

The falling fertility of soil in Punjab is mainly attributed to the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides over the years.
This practice has led to soil degradation and a decline in soil fertility, affecting agricultural productivity.

The major concern regarding water resources in Punjab is the depletion of the groundwater table.
Over the years, excessive withdrawal of groundwater for agriculture has led to a rapid decline in the water table, posing a significant threat to the sustainability of agricultural practices in the state.

Sahnewal Airport in Ludhiana is one of the domestic airports in Punjab but does not currently serve any commercial flight operations.
It is primarily used for non-commercial purposes.

Bathinda Junction in Punjab holds the record for having the maximum railway lines from a railway junction in Asia.
It is a significant railway junction in the state, facilitating rail connectivity to various destinations.

Amritsar International Airport serves as the primary hub airport and gateway to Punjab.
It offers direct connectivity to various key cities around the world, including London, Singapore, Moscow, Dubai, and Birmingham.

Punjab has two international airports: Amritsar International Airport and Chandigarh International Airport.
These airports facilitate international air travel to and from the state.

Amritsar Junction Railway Station is known as the busiest railway junction in Punjab.
It serves as a major transportation hub connecting various cities and towns in the state.

Amritsar Junction Railway Station in Punjab is included in the Indian Railways list of 50 world-class railway stations.
This recognition highlights its infrastructure and facilities.

The Punjab Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Virgin Hyperloop One to explore the feasibility of running a Hyperloop between Amritsar and Chandigarh.
The Hyperloop has the potential to significantly reduce travel time between the two cities.

The Grand Trunk Road, also known as "NH1," passes through Amritsar and Jalandhar in Punjab.
It is a major national highway that connects Kolkata in West Bengal to Peshawar in Pakistan, passing through various cities and towns.

Amritsar and Ludhiana are among several Indian cities that have the highest accident rates in India.
It highlights the need for improved road safety measures in these cities.

Scheduled Castes account for 31.9% of Punjab's population.
They are a significant community within the state.

The population growth rate of Punjab is 13.9%, as per the 2011 census.
This rate indicates the increase in population over a specific period.

Punjab has a population density of 551 persons per km2.
This indicates that the state is relatively densely populated compared to other regions in India.

Punjabi is spoken as a first language by approximately 90% of Punjab's population.
It is the sole official language of the state.

The literacy rate of Punjab, as per the 2011 population census, is 75.8%.
This indicates the percentage of people aged 7 and above who can read and write.

Sikhism forms a majority religion in Punjab, with Sikhs comprising around 57.7% of the state's population.

Hinduism is the second-largest religion in Punjab, with Hindus comprising around 38.5% of the state's population.

Hindus form the majority population in the districts of Pathankot, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Fazilka, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee is the topmost Sikh religious body in Punjab.
It oversees the management of Sikh shrines, including the Golden Temple.

The Board of Naturopathy and Yoga Science (BNYS) is located in Chandigarh, the capital city of Punjab.

Primary and secondary education in Punjab is mainly affiliated with the Punjab School Education Board.

Punjab has 23 universities that provide undergraduate and postgraduate courses in various fields of study.

Punjab Agricultural University is a leading institution globally known for its study of agriculture and its contribution to Punjab's Green Revolution.

Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister of India, and Dr.
Har Gobind Khorana, a biochemistry Nobel laureate, are alumni of Panjab University, Chandigarh.

Christian Medical College, Ludhiana is one of the oldest institutions for medical education in Punjab, established in 1894.

In Punjab, only 44% of students enrolled in grades five to eight are women, indicating a gender gap in education, particularly in rural areas.

Out of the 23 universities in Punjab, 9 are private institutions.

Punjab has a total of 104,000 engineering seats available for students.

Punjab is gaining recognition for education in the fields of yoga and naturopathy, with students gradually adopting these as their careers.

The Tribune is the most selling English newspaper in Punjab.

DD Punjabi is the Punjabi language channel of Doordarshan, the broadcaster of the Government of India.

All India Radio has a government radio channel in Bathinda, Punjab.

Lohri is a Punjabi festival known for its bonfire celebrations, marking the end of winter and the arrival of longer days.

A kissa is a Punjabi language oral story-telling tradition that has a mixture of origins ranging from the Arabian peninsula to Iran and Afghanistan.

Punjab has a significant Punjabi film industry that dates back to before Partition.

Vaisakhi is a Punjabi festival associated with the harvest season and also holds religious significance for Sikhs.

Punjabi wedding traditions and ceremonies are known for their rich rituals, traditional music and dance performances, and the delicious food served.

Amritsar is known for its production of Punjabi juttis, traditional footwear widely worn in Punjab.

Basant is a Punjabi festival celebrated with kite flying, symbolizing the arrival of spring.

Bhangra dance and music originated in the Punjab region.

Giddha is a traditional dance form of Punjab performed by female dancers.

Heer Ranjha is a famous Punjabi folk tale about two lovers.

Gurmukhi is the most commonly used script for writing Punjabi language.

Punjabi Folk Music is the traditional music of the Punjab region.

Mohali is considered the center of the Punjabi film industry, often referred to as 'Pollywood.'

The craft of brass and copper metalwork done by the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru in Amritsar is listed on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Sushi is not a dish exclusive to Punjab.
It is a Japanese dish.

Bandi Chhor Divas (Diwali) is celebrated by lighting oil lamps and fireworks.

Basant Kite Festival in Punjab is associated with kite flying.

Jalandhar is known for the Devi Talab Mandir, a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Durga.
It is believed to be at least 200 years old and is a popular tourist attraction in the city.

Mohali, a city in Punjab, hosts the World Kabaddi League, an international kabaddi tournament that features teams from various countries.

Kabbadi, specifically Circle Style Kabbadi, is recognized as the state game of Punjab.

The Punjab state basketball team, based in Patiala, has won the National Basketball Championship on multiple occasions.