Muktsar Sahib
| sri Muktsar Sahib sri ਮੁਕਤਸਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ | |
|---|---|
| city | |
 | |
  sri Muktsar Sahib | |
| Coordinates: 30°28′30″N 74°30′54″E / 30.475°N 74.515°ECoordinates: 30°28′30″N 74°30′54″E / 30.475°N 74.515°E | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | Punjab |
| Elevation | 184 m (604 ft) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
| • Total | 117,085 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Punjabi (Gurmukhi) |
| • Regional | Punjabi |
| • Other | Punjabi, Hindi and English |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 152026[2] |
| Telephone code | 01633 |
| Vehicle registration | PB30- |
| Literacy | 51% |
| Website | www.muktsar.nic.in |
Muktsar Sahib is a city and a municipal council in Muktsar Sahib district in the Eastern Punjab (India). Its historical/old name was Khidrāna (Punjabi: ਖਿਦਰਾਣਾ). After the battle of 1705 it was renamed as Muktsar and recently, due to its historical and religious importance, it was renamed as Sri Muktsar Sahib
Geography
Muktsar Sahib lies between 30° 69' and 29° 87' latitude and 74° 21' and 74° 86' longitude[3] and centered (approx.) at 30°28′30″N 74°30′54″E / 30.47500°N 74.51500°E.[4] It is located in the southwestern zone of Indian Punjab and is bounded by the states of Rajasthan and Haryana in the south. The city and district of Faridkot lies to its north and Bathinda to the east.
History
Sri Muktsar Sahib has a proud heritage. It is known as the last battlefield of Guru Gobind Singh in 1705 AD, 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 by Baba Mubarak Makkar who was and ardent follower of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. 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.
Historical sites in the city
Being a historical heritage, the city has many historical sites, mainly Gurudwaras like:
- Gurudwara Tutti Gandhi Sahib|Sri Darbar Sahib
- Gurudwara Tambu Sahib
- Gurudwara Taran Taran Sahib]]
- Gurudwara Tibbi Sahib (at the battlefield)
- Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib
- Shaheedan Da Gurudwara
A few years ago, a new monument was built in the shape of Khanda Sahib, near DC office, in the memory of the forty martyrs.
- Mosque: After partition it was used as a Gurudwara, but in 1996 it was handed over to the Wakf Board under an arrangement between the Wakf and the SGPC. Now Namaz is read all five times a day and the considerably growing population of Muslims at Sri Muktsar Sahib have it as their paramount religious and cultural center.
Fairs and festivals
The Mela Maghi (Punjabi: ਮੇਲਾ ਮਾਘੀ), held every January it is to commemorate the valour of 40 Muktas, (or the liberated ones), who sacrificed their lives in the battle-field of Khidrana.[5] The huge Mela is held at an open space, mainly on the Bathinda and Malout roads. People from all over the world, visit the city on this day to take a dip in the holy Sarovar This mela is a world-famous Punjabi mela. This is not only famous for their entertainment also for their religious background.
A fair of animals, specially horses, know as Ghorhian Da Mela (Punjabi: ਘੋੜੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਮੇਲਾ (Fair of Horses),a sports festival is also held in which Badminton is the other famous one.
Climate
Climate is determined by the western Himalayas to the north, Thar desert to the south and the southwestern Monsoon. Nearly 70% of rain falls during the months of July to September (summer). 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).[3]
Demographics
As of 2011 census, Muktsar Sahib had a population of 117,085.[1] The sex ratio was 888 females per 1000 males and 11.6% of the population was under six years old.[1] Effective literacy was 77.31%; male literacy was 82.50% and female literacy was 71.53%.[1]
People
The two prominent chief ministers of Eastern Punjab, Harcharan Singh Brar and Prakash Singh Badal, belong to the this district.
How to reach Muktsar
The city is well connected with rail and road. It has own railway station which is 1.5 km from the centre of the city. The nearest well-connected railway stations are Bathinda (around 45 km from muktsar) and Kotkapura (around 30 km from muktsar). Bus service is easily available from there. Airport is not available in Muktsar but the nearest airport is Amritsar airport, (Raja Sansi International Airport) which is 175 km from here. Muktsar has a bus stop in centre of the town, and Punjab roadways and Pepsu Road Transport Corporation has providing transport facilities.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Provisional Population Totals, Census of India 2011; Cities having population 1 lakh and above" (pdf). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
- ↑ "PIN code of [http://www.facebook.com/Shrimuktsarsahib Shri Muktsar Sahib], Punjab". www.mapsofindia.com. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "About the district". www.muktsar.nic.in. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ↑ Google maps
- ↑ "ਮਾਘੀ ਦੇ ਮੇਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਸਿਰਫ ਤੀਰਥ ਇਸ਼ਨਾਨ ਨਾਲ ਹੀ ਨਾ ਜੋੜੋ". In Punjabi. www.sikhmarg.com. 1 March 2010. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
[[Category:Villages in Shri Muktsar Sahib district]] [[Category:Shri Muktsar Sahib| \]]