History of Punjab

Punjab is made up of the terms panj (five) and aab (waters), both of which are derived from the Indo-Iranian roots Pancha and ap, respectively. The region was originally is known as Sapta Sindhu, the Vedic land of the seven rivers that mixed into the sea. As a result, Punjab roughly means "the land of five rivers." The Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and Jehlum are the five rivers (also spelt Jhelum). In English, the name was traditionally preceded by a definite article, such as "Punjab." The name is also spelt "Panjab". Punjab, in India's northwestern corner, is one of the country's largest states. Punjab is derived from the Persian terms Panj (five) and b (waters), therefore Panjb means Five Rivers, or Land of Five Rivers, which approximately translates to Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum. The state covers 50,362 square kilometres, contributing 1.53% of India's total land area. By area, it is the 20th-largest Indian state. Punjab is the 16th-largest state in terms of population, with about 27 million people living in 23 districts. Punjabi is the state's most frequently spoken and official language, written in the Gurmukhi script. Punjabis are the dominant ethnic group, with Sikhs and Hindus being the dominant religious groups. Chandigarh, a Union Territory and the capital of the neighbouring state of Haryana is the state capital. Punjab, a state on the Pakistani border, is home to India's Sikh community. Harmandir Sahib, the holiest Gurdwara, is located in Amritsar, which was founded in 1577 by Sikh Guru Ram Das (Sikh Temple). Because of the large number of food grains produced, it is known as India's granary. This article will cover the history of Punjab, Punjab at a glance the granary of India and the special information about Punjab.

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History of Punjab

Hinduism in Punjab

Since ancient India, Hinduism has been prevalent throughout the wheat growingPunjab region. Cities like Ropar were part of the Indus Valley Civilization, which spanned much of the Punjab region. The Vedic Civilization spanned the length of the Sarasvati River, including most of northern India, including Punjab, and paved the ground for Hinduism's formation and synthesis. Punjabi Hinduism, like Hinduism in other parts of India, has evolved with time to become a mix of culture and history. 

Sikhs in Punjab

During the 15th century, Sikhism originated in the Punjab region. Approximately 75% of the total Sikhism population of the world lives in Punjab. Sikhism was founded during Babur's conquest of northern India. Akbar, his grandson, was a supporter of religious liberty and had a favourable opinion of Sikhism after seeing Guru Amar Das’s langar. He contributed land to the langar as a result of his visit, and he had a good relationship with the Sikh Gurus till his death in 1605. Jahangir, his successor, considered the Sikhs as a political threat. Because of Sikh support for Khusrau Mirza, he arrested Guru Arjun Dev and sentenced him to death through torture. After Guru Arjan Dev's martyrdom, Guru Hargobind founded Sikh authority by constructing the Akal Takht and establishing a fort to protect Amritsar. 

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By imprisoning Guru Hargobind at Gwalior, Jahangir attempted to exert his control over the Sikhs. When he began to have visions of early and horrific death, he felt forced to free him. The Guru refused to be released unless Jahangir consented to liberate the hundreds of Hindu lords who were imprisoned alongside him. After Jahangir died in 1627, Sikhism had no further problems with the Mughal Empire.

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After a series of assaults on Amritsar, Shah Jahan "took offence" at Guru Hargobind's sovereignty and compelled the Sikhs to flee to the Sivalik Hills. Guru Har Rai, Guru Hargobind's successor, kept the guruship in the Sivalik Hills by resisting local attempts to take Sikh land and remaining neutral in the Timurid dynasty's power struggle between Aurangzeb and Dara Shikoh. In defiance of Mughal rule, the ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, relocated the Sikh community to Anandpur and travelled extensively to visit and preach in Sikh villages. He was imprisoned and confronted by Aurangzeb for assisting Kashmiri Hindus in escaping conversion to Islam. The failure of Mughal soldiers at Samana and Sadhaura started Banda Singh Bahadur's rebellion, which culminated in the defeat of Sirhind. During the revolt, Banda Singh Bahadur made a point of destroying Mughal cities that had been harsh to Sikhs, and Wazir Khan was executed in retaliation for the deaths of Guru Gobind Singh's sons, Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, following the Sikh victory at Sirhind. 

Why Punjab Region is called the Granary of India or India’s Breadbasket?

Punjab is one of India's most fertile regions. Wheat can be grown successfully in this area. Rice, sugar cane, as well as fruits and vegetables, are farmed. Punjab at a glance the granary of India hence it’s known as the "Granary of India" or "India's Breadbasket." Wheat is one of Punjab's most important crops, contributing significantly to the province's economy. The state produces 10.26% of India's cotton, 11% of rice, and 19.5% of the country's total wheat. As a result, the state has become one of the top wheat and rice producers in the country. Even though the state's literacy rate is 76.68%, there still is a huge amount of unemployment. This might be due to the reason that any Multinational Company (firm) or an individual do not want to invest in the state. There are no major industries in Punjab's areas, leaving people with no choice but to move abroad.

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The Special Facts Related to Punjab

• Punjab is formed up of two Persian words: panj, which means five, and aab, which means water. Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and Jehlum are the five major rivers that run through the state.

• Punjab was a significant state in British India before India's partition in 1947. Punjab was divided into two areas after Partition: Indian Punjab and Pakistani Punjab.

• The Indus Valley Civilization, which is regarded as one of the ancient civilizations, flourished in the Indian and Pakistani Punjab. The Indus river system was the centre of civilisation.

• When Himachal Pradesh and Haryana were separated on October 31, 1966, the modern Indian Punjab was established.

• Guru Nanak Dev established Sikhism in Punjab in the late 15th century. Punjab is the Sikh population's most populous state.

• The Golden Temple, also known as Shri Harmandir Sahib, is located in Amritsar and is regarded as the holiest and most important pilgrimage place in Sikhism. Arjan Dev, the fifth Guru, designed the temple. Raja Ranjit Singh put the gold over the Gurudwara.

• In Sikhism, there are five Takht (seats of authority). The Golden Temple Complex's Akal Takht, Bhatinda's Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, and Anandpur Sahib's Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib are three of the five. Two more gurudwaras are famous Takht Sri Patna Sahib in Patna, Bihar, and Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded, Maharashtra.

• Bhangra, Gidddha, Jhumar, Mirza, Jugni, Dhamaal, Gatka, and other folk dances are popular in Punjab.

• Punjab is particularly fertile due to the numerous rivers that pass through it. Punjab at a glance is the granary of India hence Punjab is also known as the "Indian Granary" or "Indian Bread Basket." It generates 17% of India's total wheat production and 11% of India's rice production (Data, according to the 2013 report). Agriculture is the state's biggest industry, with 84% of the area under cultivation.

Punjab, in India's northwestern corner, is one of the country's largest states. Punjab is derived from the Persian terms Panj (five) and b (waters), therefore Panjb means Five Rivers, or Land of Five Rivers, which approximately translates to Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum. Punjab is one of India's most fertile regions. Rice, sugar cane, as well as fruits and vegetables, are farmed in the region. The area is also known as the 'granary of India' because of its wheat-growing ability. Gurmat (Punjabi: "the Way of the Guru") is the name given to the Sikh faith. Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak (1469–1539) and led by a succession of nine additional Gurus, according to Sikh belief. Sikhs believe that a single spirit possessed all ten human Gurus.