Nabha

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  ?Nabha
Punjab • India
Map indicating the location of Nabha
Thumbnail map of India with Punjab highlighted
Location of Nabha
 Nabha 
Coordinates: 30°22′N 76°09′E / 30.37, 76.15
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Area
• Elevation
• 246 m (807 ft)
District(s) Patiala
Population 61,953 (2001)

Coordinates: 30°22′N 76°09′E / 30.37, 76.15

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Nabha is a city and a municipal council in Patiala district in the Indian state of Punjab. It lies to the south-east of the state of Punjab in Patiala District.

Contents

[edit] Princely Nabha

Main article: Nabha State
Princely flag of Nabha
Princely flag of Nabha

Nabha (नाभा) was a state of the Sikh Royal House of Siddhu Jat origins founded by the grandson of Chaudhary Phul Singh. Chaudhary Phul Singh (under the patronage and protection of Sikh Guru's Guru Har Gobind and Guru Har Rai) [1] had six sons namely [2], 1.Tiloka 2.Ram Singh 3.Rudh 4.Chunu 5. Jhandu and 6.Takhtmal. Annual income of Nabha state was Rs 1,50,000/-. [3]

Claiming descent from the Jaisal, founder of the State of Jaisalmer in 1156, the founder of this Sikh dynasty, Phul, was Chaudhri (Governor) of a country located at the south east of Delhi. Phul’s descendants founded 4 States: Patiala, Jind, Faridkot and Nabha. Nabha was founded by the great-grandson of Phul in 1755.

Tiloka had two sons namely, 1. Gurudutta 2. Sukh Chain. Sukh Chain's descendants ruled Jind state and Gurudatta's descendants ruled Nabha state. Gurudatta's only son was Surat Singh. Surat Singh died in 1742 prior to Gurudatta in 1744. Surat Singh had two sons 1. Hamir Singh (1755-1783 ) and 2. Kapur Singh. Hamir Singh's son Raja Jaswant Singh (1783-1840) became the ruler. He had two sons namely 1. Raja Devendra Singh and 2. Ranjit Singh. Raja Devendra Singh had two sons namely, Raja Bharpur Singh and 2. Raja Bhagwan Singh. Raja Bharpur Singh died in 1863 prior to Raja Devendra Singh. Raja Bhagwan Singh ruled from 1864-1871, he also died without an heir. According to tradition, Hira Singh a distant relative in a neighbouring village was deicided upon as the next in line according to the Maharaja of Patiala and Jind. Raja Hira Singh (1871-1911), who ruled from 1871-1911. He was honoured with G.C.S.I. and G.C.I.I. titles by British. His only son was Maharaja Ripudman Singh (1911-1923) or Gurcharan Singh, who became ruler in 1912 after Raja Hira Singh. His only son was Maharaja Tika Pratap Singh (1923-1995) born in 1919.

The town of Nabha was formerly the capital of the eponymous princely state in the British Raj: Its territories were scattered; one section, divided into twelve separate tracts, was interspersed among the territories of Patiala and Jind, in the east and south of the Punjab; the other section was in the extreme southeast of that province. The whole of the territories physically belonged to a plain; however, they varied in character from the great fertility of the Pawadh region to the aridity of the Rajputana desert.

The ruling dynasty of Nabha are Sikh the state was founded around 1763 by a member of the Phulkian family. The first relations of the state with the HEIC occurred in 1807-08, when the raja obtained protection against the threatened encroachments of Ranjit Singh. After India's independence, Nabha united with four other Phulkian states to form the Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU), which later merged into Punjab state.

Maluk Singh was approached by Maharaja (King) to donate land for the shamshan ghat (cremation ground) and also for the Army base. Hearing the word that king asked him for the land. He felt honoured to donate the lands for the cause. The tradition of donations to the city continued later by Bishan Singh son of Maluk Singh and also by Sham Singh son of Bishan Singh. Land was donated for play grounds, for schools. Arya High School land had been donated by this family. And the future generations studied in this school. The tradition continues. Some of the children traveled around the world but have very deep connection with the city. Lal Singh son of Sham Singh is a contributor to the cause. His all children studied in this school. Amarjit Singh son of Lal Singh a community contributor and technology evangelist now in USA.

City is famous for the people and life style of people. Colour nabhi (Navy blue) is named after state of Nabha. Nabhi colour use to be state's official colour for turban. The old part of the city, sometimes termed 'Purani nabhi', is a veritable maze of narrow winding alleys which astonish you by emerging at the most unexpected places.

This is the first city which still has the Rolls Royce in the shape of animals, specially crafted for the kings of this city. These were used by the kings and are preserved in the Nabha museum.

[edit] Landmarks of the City

  1. Hira Mahal: Residence of the royal family, the gardens and orchards surrounding it have developed into into the Hira Mahal Colony, the first posh locality of Nabha.
  2. Qila Mubarak: Situated at the heart of the city, it has housed various government offices (includig the courts) some of which have been shifted to a new locale.
  3. Hira Singh Park: Now known as municipal park, near Duladdi Gate. Its distinctive feature is its elevated promenade; it also boasts of a beautifully crafted statue of Maharaja Hira Singh.
  4. Royal Samadhis: on circular road, built in memory of deceased rulers of Nabha, now in a sad state of disrepair. Please note that there are two locations of Royal Samadhis, one is for the family of Hira Singh, the other, the original rulers of Nabha is located on the grounds of Punjab Public School, near the water tank, on what was originally known as Shyam Bagh (near Jamunawali Sark (Road)), there rests Maharaja Devinder Singh, his two sons, his wives, Maharani Lilavati, Rani Mann Kaur and Cheteanwali Rani. Dr. Sumerendra Vir Singh Chauhan, from the family of Maharani Lilavati is negotiating with the present authorities to allow for repairs to take place of the Royal samadhis.

[edit] Educational Institutions

  1. Malwa Public School.
  2. Modern Nabha Public School (Senior Secondary).
  3. Nabha Preparatory School - one of the oldest schools in Nabha.
  4. Govt. Ripudaman College, named after Maharaja Ripudaman Singh ji, offers post graduate classes in some subjects.
  5. Govt. Girls senior secondary school.
  6. M K Arya Girls High school.
  7. Arya Senior Secondary School for boys.
  8. Govt. Art & Crafts College.
  9. Punjab Public School (senior secondary).
  10. Dayanand Public School (senior secondary).
  11. Govt. Senior Secondary School Boys, Nabha. This is from 6th to 12 Standard providing Study in Science, Arts, Commerce and Vocational courses like mechanical, electrical, automobile etc.
  12. K V Nabha is also there which is also known as Central School. It has classes from Ist Standard to Xth Standard.
  13. Army Primary School is also there which is situated inside the Cantt.
  14. Govt Model High School (Yash Sharma Bouran Gate Nabha)
  15. Distt. Institute of Education & Training, Nabha
  16. Circle Education Office, Circle Nabha
  17. DAV CENTENARY PUBLIC SCHOOL NABHA

[edit] Places of worship

  1. Gurudwara Sahib Ghoraian wala also known as Gurudwara Dera Baba Ajay Pal Singh
  2. Gurudwara Akalgarh Sahib
  3. Gurudwara Tibi Sahib near Glaxo Smithkline
  4. Devi Mandir in chowk Devi Dwala.
  5. Prachin Hanuman Mandir Bauran Gate.
  6. Ashtbhuji Mandir Near Patiala Gate.
  7. Ganga Mandir.
  8. Panch mukhi Mahadev Mandir.
  9. Tapia Mandir

[edit] Hotels

  1. Mammons Inn
  2. City Heart

[edit] People

The descendants of famous General of Ranjit Singh, Hari Singh Nalwa, reside in Nabha.

The descendants of Wazir Ishwari Singh Katoch, former Prime Minister of Kangra, during Maharaja Sansar Chand, once lived in Nabha and have now migrated to Canada. Wazir Ishwari Singh's daughter was Maharani Lilavati of Nabha. Wazir Ishwari Singh was the close friend of Hari Singh Nalwa and was thus given refuge in Nabha upon the fall of Kangra. The last known descendant Dr. Sumerendra Vir Singh Chauhan is negotiating with local authorities to repair old tombs and other places of historiacal significance. The rest of the descendants have moved to Nepal and Canada.

Vinod Nagar is one of the last remaining descendants of the Nagar Brahmins who protected Maharaja Hira Singh and allowed him to come to the throne of Nabha. For saving his life he gave the Nagar family "Nagara Chownk" or the Chownk of Nagar Family, located in old Nabha.

This is the city where freedom fighter S Bhan Singh lived. His descendants are still living in nabha. He had spent time with the first prime minister of India (pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru), when the later had come to spend time in park bagh. The room still exists there in park bagh nabha. This room is in poor condition.

[edit] Famous personalities and prominent families of Nabha

  1. Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha: Venerated citizen of the town, his residential street is named after him.
  2. Late Sardar Gurdarshan Singh: He was the MLA of Nabha
  3. Mr. Ramesh Kumar Singla: He was the MLA of Nabha
  4. Late Gen. Shivdev Singh: Eminent politician of the congress party, had a long distinguished political career. Members of the same family have pursued political careers.Another prominent family is the Kaushal family of Nabha.Consisting of four brothers, two of the surviving are in nabha and some of the younger generation in Australia, USA and Canada.
  5. Late S. Man Singh Gill: Prominent citizen of Nabha : His son Jai singh Gill made his mark as an I A S officer.
  6. Sardar Bhan Singh: He was a freedom fighter from nabha. He was in jail with Pandit Jawahar Lal nehru (first Prime Minister of India)
  7. Mahant Avadh Bihari Dass Ji Tapia: A well known religious social worker in the city.
  8. Prof. L.K. Gulati: Lecturer in English (retired) at ripudaman college, enjoys all India fame as Urdu poet.

The family of Wazir Ishwari Singh Katoch, Prime Minister of Kangra, close friend of the famous General Hari Singh Nalwa, his daughter Maharani Lilavati was the wife of Maharaja Devinder Singh of Nabha. His descendants now mainly live in Canada and Nepal. They are still intimately in contact with the Nagar family of Nabha and the present Royal family of Nabha. His grandson, Col. Shivraj Singh Katoch, was in military service to the Royal army of Nabha during Col. Shivraj Singh's cousin's reign, Maharaja Ripudaman Singh. Col. Shivraj Singh Katoch was the only member of the Royal court not to sign the abdication papers against Maharaja Ripudaman Singh and for this he suffered. Gurdayal Singh Mann and Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha both profitted from the British taking over Nabha and sought to destroy elements which were still loyal to the Maharaja. Col. Shivraj Singh Kaotch was harassed for remaining loyal to the king, this forced the then Prime Minister of Nepal, Sri Teen Maharaja Chandra Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana to intervene and told the British to back off, because it turns out that Col. Shivraj Singh Katoch's wife was Princess Durga Kumari of Nepal, thus making Col. Shivraj Singh Katoch the son-in-law of the Royal Court of Nepal. Col. Shivraj Singh Katoch's grandson, Dr. Sumerendra Vir Singh Chauhan, still often visits Nabha.

THE NAGAR FAMILY: Migrated to nabha along with Maharaja Hira singh. They protected Maharaja Hira Singh so that he could ascend the throne of Nabha. The Nagars were exclusive occupants of Nagran Chowk (named after them). In the course of time its members pursued their lives and careers in other places in India and abroad.

1. Late Dr. Inderjit Nagar: One of the first persons from Nabha to obtain the degree of M.B.B.S. retired as civil suregon from Civil Hospital Nabha. His daughter Saroj was married to Sh. P.H.Vaishnava I.A.S. Who retired as chief secretary Punjab. Smt. Shashi Nagar, (daughter in law) served and retired as Principal M.K. Arya girls high school. Arun Kumar Nagar (grandson ) is practising Dental suregon. (this family still lives in Nabha). Rajat Nagar(Grandson) is well settled in Singapore.

2. Late Sh. Shambu Nath Nagar: Brother of Dr. Inderjit Nagar, was first president of the managing committees of arya school for boys as well as for girls.

3. Late Dr. Mahadev Nagar: served as Household minister in the court of Maharaja Pratap singh, last princely ruler of Nabha. His son Dr. Chander Mohan Nagar establish himself as well known cardiologist in U.S.A.; daughter Urmila retired as Principal Govt. college Tatantaran.

4. Neeraj Nagar, prominent businessman in Poona.

There are many people related to Nabha those had left name in the History. Few of them are :

  1. Sardar Ranjeet Singh Jawanda: He was a Cashier(khajanchi)of Maharaja Ripudaman Singh Nabha. Sardar Ranjeet Singh Jawanda is a very Honest person.
  2. Rubi Sekhon Gasti

[edit] Modern Nabha

In 1947, Nabha formed a part of Patiala and East Punjan States Union (PEPSU). At a subsequent reorganisation, Patala was created as a district and Nabha formed a subdivision in Patiala District. The modern Nabha is a thriving, if somewhat dusty town (about 30 kilometers from Patiala). Nabha boasts of several institutions which are somewhat unusual for a town of this size:

1. Punjab Public School (PPS), Nabha is one of the more well known "public schools" in India (other notable schools of this league being YPS Patiata and Mohali, Scindia School, Gwalior, MNSS, Rai and Sainik School, Kapurthala.

2. A factory of Glaxo Smith Kline (better known as Horlicks factory).

3. A high security jail which was used to house terrorists in the height of Khalistani movement in the late 1980s. (pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru served a prison term in this jail.)

Like many other cities of India, Nabha has landmarks called "gates" which roughly circumscribe the city. In Nabha, these are named Patiata Gate, Alhoran gate, Dulladi Gate, Mehs Gate and Bouran Gate.

    • Nabha is Justly famous for its Delicious winter-time sweets-Gajarpak and Bhugga, and its matchless all season favourite Khasta Kachori prepared by local halwais.

4. Indian Oil Gas Plant is situated at the outskirts of city on the Nabha - Bhawani garh Road.

[edit] Geography

Nabha is located at 30.37° N 76.15° E[4]. It has an average elevation of 246 metres (807 feet).

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census[5], Nabha had a population of 61,953. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Nabha has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 79%, and female literacy is 69%. In Nabha, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Sikh Gurus
  2. ^ A History of Sikh Misals - Bhagat Singh
  3. ^ Dr Mahendra Singh Arya, Dharmpal Singh Dudi, Kishan Singh Faujdar & Vijendra Singh Narwar: Ādhunik Jat Itihasa (The modern history of Jats), Agra 1998
  4. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Nabha
  5. ^ Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns. (Provisional). Census Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.

[edit] External links

This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.