| Sri Muktsar Sahib | |
| — city — | |
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| Coordinates | |
| Country | India |
| State | Punjab |
| District(s) | Sri Muktsar Sahib |
| Population | 83,099 (2001[update]) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area |
• 184 metres (604 ft) |
| Website | muktsar.nic.in |
Sri Muktsar Sahib (ਸ੍ਰੀ ਮੁਕਤਸਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ S.rī Muktasara Sāhib)[1] is a city and a municipal council in Sri Muktsar Sahib district in the Indian state of Punjab. Sri Muktsar Sahib's historical name was Khidrane dee dhab (ਖਿਦਰਾਣੇ ਦੀ ਢਾਬ Khidarāṇē Dī Dhāb)[2].
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As of 2001[update] India census,[3] Sri Muktsar Sahib has a population of 3,96,030. Rural areas constitute 54.10% of the population and Urban 71.63. Sri Muktsar Sahib has an average literacy rate of 50.67 %: male literacy is 65.94 %, and female literacy is 50.57%. In Sri Muktsar Sahib, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.
It is located in the South Western Zone of Punjab and is bounded by the States of Rajasthan and Haryana in the South. The district of Faridkot lies to its North and Bathinda to the East.It lies between 30° 69’ and 29° 87’ latitude and 74° 21’ and 74° 86’ longitude.[4]
Climate is determined by the Western Himalayas to the North of Punjab and Thar desert to the South. The South-western monsoon brings the rain bearing depression during summer(July to September). Nearly 70% of rainfall is received during the months of July to September. The extreme type of climate is present with temperature varying from 45°C in June to as low as 2°C in January. The major part of the district has aridic moisture regime. Soil moisture regime computations employing the Newhall mathematical model indicate that the area has 'weak aridic' moisture regime(Van Wambeke, 1985).[5]
Sri Muktsar Sahib has a proud heritage. It is known as the last battlefield of Guru Gobind Singh in 1705 A.D., which proved to be a most decisive conflict in the military history of the Sikhs. Literally the name of this city means "the pool of liberation". The forty Sikh warriors who fought to death here against the Mughal Empire more than three centuries ago are remembered by a grand festival held here every January, which attracts devotees from all over the world.
During the 1740s some Sikh families settled here, then a town developed there where the battlefield was. Later it took the name Sri Muktsar Sahib, renamed from Kidhrani di Dhab. A Gurdwara was Built. Later Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa (1791-1837) visited Muktsar Sahib and did kar sewa of the Muktsar Sahib building, which was in 1980s replaced with a new building.
The Mela Maghi ( ਮੇਲਾ ਮਾਘੀ mēlā māghī)[6] held in the town of Muktsar, a day after Lohri (13 January) is very famous. Held every January it is to commemorate the valour of 40 Muktas, (or the liberated ones), who laid down their lives following Sri Guru Gobind Singh into the battle-field of Khidrana (ਖਿਦਰਾਨੇ ਦੀ ਢਾਬ ). In other words, Muktsar( Mukt & Sar) means land of 40 martyrs i.e. 40 muktyaa di dharti(sar). The city is blessed with the holy gurudwara Tutti Gandi Sahib. All the roads entering into the city have beautiful entrance gates on the outskirts.
The huge Mela is held at an open space mainly on the Bathinda & Malout roads. People from all over the world, come to Sri Muktsar Sahib on this day to take a dip in the holy sarovar.
Sri Muktsar Sahib is a very hot battlefield for political parties namely Congress and SAD-BJP. The 2 prominent CMs of Punjab have their origins from Sri Muktsar Sahib district.Harcharan Singh Brar and Parkash Singh Badal.
Traditionally a horse fair was also held on this occasion but it is not held anymore.
Schools and Colleges:
A few years ago, a new monument was built in the shape of Khanda Sahib, near DC office.