60 Facts About Punjab

Here’s a detailed list of 60 facts about Punjab, covering history, culture, geography, economy, and more. I’ve organized them into categories so it’s easier to follow:

🗺️ Geography & Location

1. Punjab means “Land of Five Rivers” – Beas, Sutlej, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum (now mostly in Pakistan).
2. It’s located in northern India, bordering Pakistan to the west.
3. The Satluj is the only major river that flows through Indian Punjab today.
4. Punjab shares borders with Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Rajasthan.
5. The Shivalik Hills form the northeastern boundary of Punjab.
6. Punjab has 3 distinct regions: Majha, Doaba, and Malwa.
7. The Thar Desert touches the southern border of Punjab near Rajasthan.
8. Punjab’s climate is continental with hot summers and cold winters.
9. The Bhakra-Nangal Dam, one of India’s highest dams, is located here.
10. Punjab has rich alluvial soil, ideal for agriculture.

🌾 Agriculture & Economy

11. Known as the “Granary of India” or “India’s Breadbasket.”
12. Major crops: wheat, rice, sugarcane, cotton, and maize.
13. Punjab was central to India’s Green Revolution in the 1960s.
14. It has one of the highest per capita incomes in India.
15. Punjab contributes significantly to India’s food grain production.
16. It has a strong base of agro-based industries.
17. Ludhiana is known as the “Manchester of India” for its textile industry.
18. The Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana played a major role in agricultural advancements.
19. Dairy farming is a growing sector in rural Punjab.
20. Punjab has Asia’s largest grain market in Khanna.

🏛️ History

21. Punjab was the center of the Indus Valley Civilization (Harappa, Mohenjodaro).
22. It has seen rulers like Mauryas, Mughals, Sikhs, and the British.
23. It was the site of Alexander the Great’s invasion in 326 BCE.
24. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder of Sikhism, was born in Nankana Sahib (now in Pakistan’s Punjab).
25. Punjab was home to 10 Sikh Gurus.
26. The Sikh Empire, led by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, had its capital in Lahore.
27. It was heavily impacted during the Partition of India in 1947, leading to large-scale violence and migration.
28. The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919) in Amritsar was a turning point in India’s freedom struggle.
29. The Anandpur Sahib Resolution played a role in Punjab politics in the 20th century.
30. The state witnessed turmoil during the militancy period of the 1980s and early ’90s.

🕌 Religion & Culture

31. The majority of the population practices Sikhism, followed by Hinduism and Islam.
32. Punjab is the birthplace of Sikhism.
33. The Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar is the holiest Sikh shrine.
34. Langar (free community kitchen) is a key part of Sikh culture.
35. Punjab celebrates major festivals like Baisakhi, Lohri, Gurpurab, and Diwali.
36. Baisakhi marks the harvest and the formation of the Khalsa.
37. Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) are central to community life.
38. Gurmukhi script is used to write Punjabi.
39. The Guru Granth Sahib is the holy scripture of Sikhs.
40. Turban wearing and uncut hair (Kesh) are part of Sikh identity.

💃🎵 Arts & Entertainment

41. Punjab is famous for Bhangra and Gidda – energetic traditional dances.
42. Punjabi music is globally popular, including folk, pop, and rap.
43. Instruments like dhol, tumbi, and algoza are commonly used.
44. Punjabi cinema (Pollywood) has grown in popularity worldwide.
45. Folk singers like Gurdas Maan and Surinder Kaur are legends.
46. Modern artists like Diljit Dosanjh, Sidhu Moose Wala, and AP Dhillon have brought global fame to Punjabi music.
47. Phulkari is a traditional embroidery style from Punjab.
48. Punjab has a rich tradition of oral storytelling, especially Heer-Ranjha and Mirza-Sahiban.
49. Punjabi literature includes works by greats like Baba Farid, Bulleh Shah, and Amrita Pritam.
50. Traditional attire includes salwar kameez, kurta pajama, and dupatta.

🏙️ Cities & Infrastructure

51. Chandigarh is the capital of Punjab (shared with Haryana), designed by Le Corbusier.
52. Amritsar is a religious and cultural hub.
53. Ludhiana is an industrial powerhouse.
54. Jalandhar is known for sports goods and hand tools.
55. Patiala is famous for its royal heritage and Patiala peg.
56. Bathinda houses India’s oldest still-operational fort.
57. Mohali is part of the tricity and is growing as an IT and sports hub.
58. Punjab has a strong rail and road network, connecting it to major cities.
59. It has multiple international airports, including in Amritsar and Mohali.
60. Punjab’s literacy rate is among the highest in northern India.