Mandi Gobindgarh

Mandi Gobindgarh
Steel Town
Town
Nickname(s): Mandi
Mandi Gobindgarh
Mandi Gobindgarh

Location in Punjab, India

Coordinates: 30°25′N 76°11′E / 30.41°N 76.18°E / 30.41; 76.18Coordinates: 30°25′N 76°11′E / 30.41°N 76.18°E / 30.41; 76.18
Country  India
State Punjab
District Fatehgarh Sahib
Population (2011)
 • Total 73,130
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 147301
Telephone code 01765
Vehicle registration PB 23
Sex ratio 878/1000 ♂/♀

Mandi Gobindgarh is a town and a municipal committee in Fatehgarh Sahib district in the Indian state of Punjab. It is occasionally referred to as Steel Town or "Loha Mandi" ("Iron Market") on account of its large number of steel factories.

History

According to local knowledge (and authenticated by the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)), the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind, stayed along the bank of Lake Barhi Dhab for 40 days in 1646. He was accompanied by his followers and warriors. A skirmish developed between his men and a contingent of Mughal forces. Their weapons sustained damage. The Guru's men pleaded before him that they could not continue to fight, as there was no available steel in the area to repair their weapons. Guru Hargobind replied, "Someday this place will be a large steel-producing center in the country. Why do you say no steel is available to repair your weapons?" Henceforth, Barhi Dhab was known as "Gobindgarh," named after Guru Hargobind Ji. To date, a Gurudwara remains situated near the town's railway station to commemorate Guru Hargobind in his holy memory.

Industrialization in Mandi Gobindgarh began at the start of the 20th century. In 1902, the Maharaja Hira Singh of Nabha, where Gobindgarh then lay, ordered the building of industrial units in the town. Maharaja Partap Singh conducted further industrial development.

In 1928, Gobindgarh was declared a free trade zone for steel. As a centre for steel, the town experienced growth. The land was made available to local blacksmiths at nominal rates in early 1940, leading to the establishment of a number of workshops on both sides of the G.T.Road at Gobindgarh.

Mandi Gobindgarh began as a walled town with four gates, which neighboured Modi Mills, Munilal Om Prakash, the main post office (present to this day), and Krishna Mandir. All gates were closed by sunset. In 1950, the gates were demolished.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[1] Gobindgarh had a population of 55,416. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. Gobindgarh has an average literacy rate of 69%, considerably higher than the national average of 59.5% (72% for males and 67% for females). 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Economy

The economy of the town is primarily based on steel and allied industries. It has nearly 200 steel-rolling mills serving 25% of the secondary steel market of the country. There are approximately 48 induction furnaces producing raw material for the rolling mills, 12 forging units catering to the needs of the steel-rolling mills, sugar and paper industry, around 40 foundry units, 90 scrap-cutting units, and 12 oxygen plants catering to the local requirements of the industry. In addition, there are another 67 industrial units associated with the steel industry.

The steel economy attracts workers around the whole of India, especially from Bihar, Delhi and Kanpur.

Present State

The industry of Mandi Gobindgarh was affected by the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent global recession. From 2012 to 2015, tax duties on import and export were increased, hurting profits of the Gobindgarh steel mills. Thousands of people became unemployed and were forced to return home after the closure of several factories within a short span of time.

Private Universities and Education

Engineering

Schools

Local Sights

There are many beautiful public parks in Mandi Gobindgarh, such as the Maharaja Agarsen Park (Rose Garden), the Green Park, and the Ladies' Park. There is a mall with a cinema on the north side of the city. Fast-food restaurants include McDonald's, Domino's Pizza, and Pizza Hut. Its main market is called Main Bazar.

POPULAR FACTORIES: Kamdhenu soaps

References

  1. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.

Desh Bhagat university

Gobindgarh Khanna News - http://www.gobindgarhkhannanews.com/

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