Firozpur Cantonment

Firozpur Cantonment is a cantonment town in Firozpur district in the state of Punjab, India. It is located adjacent to and south of the city of Firozpur.

During the First Anglo-Sikh War, Firozpur Cantonment played a key role for the British Indian Army. Today, it is the Divisional headquarter for 7th Infanty Division, XI Corps, Indian Army.

The district's key adminsitrative offices and residences (Such as the district courts and the Commissioner's office ) are in the Cantt rather than the city.

The Mall road is the key road in the Cantonment and runs for most of the Cantt's length, and all key offices and institutions as well as residences are located on or in close proximity to it.

Demographics

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[1] Firozpur Cantonment had a population of 57,418. Males constitute 60% of the population and females 40%. Firozpur Cantonment has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 68%. In Firozpur Cantonment, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

History

Historically this was an important Cantonment for the British, it was a base for the Anglo-Sikh Wars in the 1840s. And continued as an important cantonment that was a base for supporting forward positions in now Pakistan. Till World War two it was one of the largest Cantonment in this region. After Partition the cantt's importance declined. There is an abandoned airstrip of British Vintage in the Cantt. The Battle of Saragarhi Gurudwara is a part of the Cantonment's military history as the men in the battle were mostly from adjoining areas.

Education

1. The Army Public School
2. Kendriya Vidyalaya Firozpur Cantt.
3. St Joseph's in the nearby city.

References