Introduction-

There are 5 Administrative Divisions and 22 Districts in Punjab.
Ropar Division- It was declared as division on 31st December 2010 By CM Prakash Singh Badal. Earlier it was a part of Patiala Division. The new Ropar division comprises Rupnagar, SBS Nagar (Nawanshahr) and SAS Nagar (Mohali) districts.

A. Faridkot Division-
1. Faridkot District-

• Faridkot District was a part of the erstwhile Ferozepur Division but in the year 1996, Faridkot Division was established with a Divisional headquarter at Faridkot which includes Faridkot, Bathinda and Mansa districts.
• The district is named after its headquarters, Faridkot city, which in turn is named in the honour of Baba Farid, who was a Sufi saint and a Muslim missionary.
• The town of Faridkot was founded during the 13th century as Mokalhar by Raja Mokalsi, the grandson of Rai Munj, a Bhatti Chief of Bhatnair, Rajasthan.
• According to a popular folklore, the Raja renamed Mokalhar to Faridkot after Baba Farid paid a visit to the town.
• North India's only Medical University, also named after Baba Farid is in Faridkot besides Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges.

History-

• Prior to independence, a large part of the district was under the rule of the Maharaja of Faridkot and later it became a part of the Patiala & East Punjab States Union (PEPSU) in 1948.
• Faridkot was carved out as a separate district on 7 August 1972 out of the areas of erstwhile Bathinda District (Faridkot Tehsil) and Ferozepur District (Moga and Muktsar Tehsils).
• Further, in November 1995 the Faridkot District was trifurcated when two of its sub divisions viz. Muktsar and Moga were given the status of independent districts.

2. Mansa District-

Mansa is situated in the cotton belt of Punjab.

History-

• The ancient history of the Mansa district has been traced to the Indus Valley civilization.
• The archaeological finds at different villages of Mansa district are almost similar to those of Harappa and Mohenjodaro.
• It is divided into three parts Pre-Harappa, Harappa and Late Harappa and it is believed that Shri Baba Bhai Gurdas had lived here during his last times and there is a temple witting that believe in the south west of the city
• Mansa was formerly a part of Phulkia Sikh Dynasty (1722–1948) then part of Kaithal Sikh Kingdom (1762–1857).
• Mansa became district on 13 April 1992 from the erstwhile Bathinda district.
• The city is said to have been founded by Bhai Gurdas who hailed from Dhingar, District Mansa. He is said to have been married at this place among the Dhaliwal Jat Sikh.
• In his memory, his Smadh was constructed where a fair is held every year in March–April. People in large numbers attend the fair and offer Laddus and Gur at Smadh.

3. Bathinda District-
Bathinda (also known as Tabar-e-Hind or Tabarhindh meaning the Gateway to India) is a city and Municipal Corporation in Southern part of Punjab, India.
Bathinda's nicknamed the 'City of Lakes', courtesy of the artificial lakes in the city.
Bathinda is one of the largest food grain and cotton markets in northern India; the area around Bathinda is a prolific grape growing area

History-

• The first empress of India, Razia Sultan was imprisoned in the Qila Mubarak fort in Bathinda.
• The Gurudwara and Mazaar of Haji Rattan is a popular tourist centre of Bathinda having connections with popular legends.
• In 1004, Mahmud of Ghazni besieged the local fort, which was located on the route from the northwest into the rich Ganges valley.
• In 1189, Muhammad Gori attacked and occupied the fort of Bathinda. Prithvi Raj Chauhan, the ruler of this region, managed to recover possession of the fort thirteen months later in 1191 after the first battle of Tarain.
• In 1634, a battle named Battle of Lahira (at Lahira in Bathinda) was fought between Guru Hargobind and Mughals.
• In circa 1754, the town was conquered by Maharaja Ala Singh, the Maharaja of Patiala and since then it followed the history of erstwhile princely state of Patiala. With the dawn of independence and merger of Patiala and East Punjab States into a division called PEPSU, Bathinda become a full-fledged district with headquarters at Bathinda city.

Qila Mubarak-

• It has been in existence from 1100-1200 AD in its current place and is the oldest surviving fort in India.
• It was here that Razia Sultan, the first woman to take charge of the Delhi throne was incarcerated on her defeat and dethroned.
• The bricks of the fort date back to the Kushana period when emperor Kanishka ruled over Northern India/Bactria. Raja Dab, along with emperor Kanishka, is believed to have built the fort.
• It also contains the Gurudwara as the 10th Sikh guru Gobind Singh visited the place.

Bahia fort-

• The Fort built in 1930, belonged to a group of 22 villages, so called Bahia Sahib. It was as official residence of armed forces of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Patiala State.
• Lakhi Jungle Khalsa-
• Lakhi Jungle Khalsa is a pious Composition in Raga Maajh, was said to be composed by Guru Gobind Singh.
• It is believed that this composition was composed by GurSikh of Guru Gobind Singh as this is not present in Dasam Granth, moreover the term Buffaloe for Khalsa could not be used by Guru Sahib himself.

Mazaar of Peer Haji Rattan-

• Mazaar of Peer Haji Rattan is a popular religious centre of Bathinda. According to legends, Baba Haji Rattan visited Mecca as an Ambassador of Raja Bhoj.
• While returning to India, he decided to settle down at Bathinda and meditate. Close to the Mazaar, there is a Gurudwara and a mosque with a common wall – depicting religious harmony.

B. Ferozpur Division
1. Ferozpur District-

• City on the banks of the Sutlej River
• Also called as ‘Shaheedon ki Dharti’
• Ferozpur has an All India Radio Relay station known as Akashvani Ferozpur.

History-
It was founded by Sultan Firoz Shah Tughluq (1351–88), a ruler of the Tughluq dynasty, who reigned over the Sultanate of Delhi from 1351 to 1388
After the Partition of India in 1947, it became a border town on the Indo-Pakistani border with memorials of India's freedom fighters

Anglo Sikh War Memorial at Ferozeshah-

• The Anglo-Sikh War Memorial at Ferozeshah is dedicated to the two wars that the Sikh Empire fought against the British East India Company following the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
• A short distance from the historic battlefield of Ferozeshah, the memorial is built on the banks of the Rajasthan Canal.

Saragarhi Memorial-

• Saragarhi Memorial Gurudwara has been built in the memory of 21 Sikh soldiers of the 36 Sikh Regiment who fell in heroic defence of Fort Saragarhi in Waziristan on September, 12 1897 while defending the fort against an attack of ten thousand Pathans.

Barki Memorial-

• The Barki Memorial was constructed in 1969 to perpetuate the memory of the soldiers of the 7 Infantry Division who made the Supreme sacrifice on the battle field in 1965 and paved the way for the fall of Barki a town situated at a distance of 15 miles South East of Lahore.

Hussainiwala National Martyrs Memorial-

• Hussainiwala National Martyrs Memorial in memory of the Indian freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru, is at Hussainiwala village in Punjab, India.
• The memorial marks the location on the banks of the Sutlej river where Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were cremated on 23 March 1931.
• It is also the cremation place of Batukeshwar Dutt, who died in 1965 and had also been involved in bombing the Central Legislative Assembly with Singh. His last wish was to be cremated at the same place.
   

2. Fazilka District-
History-

• Fazilka's origin dates back to 1844 CE. It was established by Mr. Vans Agnew and was christened after the original owner of the land, Mian Fazil Watoo. A payment of Rs 144 and annas eight was paid to his descendants in 1877 from Panchayat fund and named the place after Mian Fazil Watoo (Lambardar)as FAZILKA.
• Being at the border, Fazilka also had to bear the brunt of India-Pakistan partition in 1947 and the two Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971. After the death of Mr Agnew Mr Oliver of East India Company took over as station in charge
• Much before 1800 AD, Guru Nanak Dev Ji paid his visit to Fazilka district during (1517-1521).
• On 10 December 1885, Fazilka came into existence as municipality in Punja in 1884 Fazilka was added as a part of Ferozpur district.
• On January 29, 1970 Mrs. Gandhi announced transfer of a part of Fazilka Tehsil and Abohar to Haryana.
• The final transfer of Fazilka and Abohar was to take place by January 1975.
• The transfer to a neighbouring State of Punjab's cotton- producing belt of Abohar and Fazilka was not accepted.
• On 27 July 2011, the Government of Punjab created two new districts: Fazilka district by partition of Ferozpur district, and Pathankot district by partition of Gurdaspur district.
• On January 25, the Mathew Commission said that Abohar and Fazilka tehsils of Punjab could not be transferred to Haryana because they were not contiguous with Haryana's border.

3. Shri Muktsar Sahib District-

• Chronological evidence indicates that the city was named Muktsar after the battle of Muktsar in 1705.
• The government officially changed the name of the city to Sri Muktsar Sahib in 2012, though the city is still primarily referred to by its unofficial name – Muktsar.

Battle of Muktsar-

• In 1705, after battle of Chamkaur against the Mughals, Guru Gobind Singh started looking out for a suitable place from where he could defend himself.
• Assisted by an experienced guide of a Brar chief, the guru reached Khidrane Di Dhab where he finally decided to meet the enemy.
• He then received news that he was being pursued by the imperial troops, at least 10,000 strong, under Wazir Khan, subedar of Sirhind.
• Earlier, in 1704, when the Guru Gobind Singh's Army in Anandpur Sahib had run out of provisions, 40 Sikhs from Majha deserted him, where they signed a declaration saying they were no longer the Sikhs of Guru Gobind Singh and he was no longer their guru.
• Now, those 40 deserters came back to join the guru's forces, realizing their mistake of deserting him, under the motivation of a woman fighter, Mai Bhago.
• The Sikhs engaged the Mughal forces. Guru Gobind Singh also sent reinforcements, though the number of Sikh soldiers is disputed.
• Historians like Latif have put it at 12,000, though the Sikh chroniclers say they were far fewer, some say as few as forty. They showered arrows from his strategic position on the mound, down upon the imperial army, killing a number of them.
• The resistance of the Sikhs became fierce. The enemy became restive for want of water. It was not possible for them to reach the lake of Khidrana.
• As it was semi-desert terrain and the summer heat was reaching its peak, the guru knew of its importance and based his defences around the water reservoir.
• The only water they could get was fifteen miles behind them. Thirst and oppressive heat, and the tough resistance offered by the Sikhs, compelled the Mughal army to retreat.
• Guru Gobind Singh won this last Mughal-Khalsa battle, which had resulted in heavy casualties.
• When Guru Gobind Singh, along with his Sikhs, was collecting the dead bodies for cremation, he found one man, named Mahan Singh, still clinging to life.
• On seeing the Guru, he made an effort to rise; the Guru at once took him in his embrace, and sat down with him.
• Mahan Singh, tearful and exhausted, requested the guru to destroy the document disclaiming his being a Sikh of the Guru.
• Before Mahan Singh died, Guru Gobind Singh took the document and tore it up. It is a legendary belief that this gave "mukti", meaning freedom, to those 40 Sikhs and hence, the city got its modern-day name Muktsar, where the word "sar" is derived from the word "sarovar", meaning reservoir, with reference to the Kidrana reservoir.

4. Moga District-

• It became the 17th district of Punjab State on 24 November 1995 cut from Faridkot district.
• Moga District is among the largest producers of wheat and rice in Punjab, India.
• People from Moga City and Moga District belong to the Malwa culture.

C. Jalandhar Division-
Jalandhar District-
Jalandhar has been shortlisted for the second phase of the "Smart City" initiative of the Indian Government.
History-

• The city is named after Jalandhara, a demon king, who is mentioned in the Puranas and Mahabharta. According to another legend, Jalandhar was the capital of the kingdom of Lava, son of Rama.
• According to another version Jalandhar is said to have derived its name from the vernacular term `Jalandhar' means area inside the water, i.e., tract lying between the two rivers Satluj and Beas.
• The whole of Punjab and the area of present Jalandhar District was part of the Indus Valley Civilization.
• Harappa and Mohenjo-daro are the sites where remains of the Indus Valley Civilization have been found extensively.
• The archaeological explorations made during recent years have pushed the ancient times of Jalandhar District of Harappa period.
• The modern history of Jalandhar District states that Khilafat Movement was started in the district in early 1920 to bring pressure upon British rulers to change their policy towards Turkey.
• Mahatma Gandhi extended sympathy and support to this movement. Jalandhar District was declared 'Proclaimed Area' under the Seditious Meetings Act.

2. Kapurthala District-
History-

• Kapurthala was founded in 11th century by Rana Kapur, who was scion of Rajput royal house of Bhattis in Jaisalmer. It is known to be an erstwhile royal state.
• Kapurthala was once the capital of Kapurthala State, a princely state in pre-independence India, ruled by the Ahluwalia Sikh rulers.

3. Amritsar District-

• Amritsar was founded in 1577 by the fourth Sikh guru, Guru Ram Das.
• Amritsar has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme of Government of India

History-

• The various Opinions that the land was granted by emperor Akbar to Guru Amar Das (later on transferred to Guru Ram Das), or was acquired by Guru Ram Das before the grant was actually obtained, or the land was purchased by the Guru on a payment of Rs.700 from the zamindar of the village at tung at the instance of Emperor Akbar, or presented by the people of village Sultan wind out of regard and reverence for the Guru are all versions based on popular tradition.
• It seems that originally the site of Amritsar was a community land lying between the village of Sultan wind, Tung, Gumtala and Gilwali, and later it was acquired by the Sikh Gurus either on payment or was received by them free of cost.
• It was the choice of the Gurus themselves, and the site of Amritsar was revenue free land.
• Even the early name of the city chak Guru bears testimony to the nature of the settlement as detached or revenue free.
• Probably, Chak Guru was granted exemption from land revenue by the Mughal government during the reign of Emperor Akbar, Whose policy of religious toleration and religious grants even to non-Muslims centres is a well known fact.
• The original plan of the new project was chalked out by Guru Amardas and Conveyed to Ram Das for execution.
• Guru Ram Das was given guidelines for the location of the site and was instructed to found a village, to build a House for himself, to dig a tank and to develop the centre gradually into a city
• The foundation was laid by Guru Ram Das and the village was named Ram Das Pura
• Guru Ram Das had to rush back to Goindwal at the call of the dying Guru Amar Das, while the work was in progress.
• The work was resumed on his return in 1577 and the construction of the tank and town was completed in the same year.
• The Amrit Sarowar remained un-bricked till Guru Arjan Dev ascended the Gur Gaddi in 1581.The tank was made pacca and its side stairs were bricked. The tank was named .Amar sarowar or Amritsar
• Guru Arjan Dev also settled in the new city artisans and craftsmen of diverse calling and inculcated in his followers keen interest in horse trade.

Early Period
The important sites pertaining to Indus valley civilization in Amritsar district are as under:-

1. Vadalol
2. Chhina
3. Gharinda
4. Har

• During the Vedic period, the area now belonging to Amritsar district is believed to be the abode of many Saints and Sages.
• According to a legend, it was at Ramtirth that Sita took shelter in the Ashram (Cottage) of Rishi (Saint) Balmiki during her exile. Both love and Kush received their education at Ramtirth by the learned Sage Balmiki.
• The area of the Amritsar district also came under the Greek influence when in about 326 B.C., the area of Punjab up to the bank of river Beas was conquered by Alexander. Later on, it became part of Maurya and Gupta Empire.
• After the overthrow of Greeks, the area of Amritsar district became a part of the Mighty Mauryan Empire which extended up to Afghanistan.
• The most enlightened ruler of the Mauryan was Ashoka, the great, who during the reign of his father Chandragupta Mauyara was the Viceroy of the principality of Taxila which included the area of present Amritsar district.
• Subsequently from the beginning of the 4th century to the end of the 6th century, it had the privilege of being under Gupta administration, which because of its efficiency is known as the golden age of Hindu period.
• Chandragupta was the most famous emperor of Gupta dynasty. Later on, it came under Kushan rulers and Kanishka was the most important ruler of this dynasty.
• With the rise of Rajputs, it began to be ruled by Rajputs till it became a part of the Shahi Kingdom of Punjab.
• It is believed that brave people of Majha formed a significant part of the armies of mauryan, Gupta, Kushan and Shahi rulers.

Medieval Period

• During the last quarter of 10th century, Raja Jaipal of Shahi Dynasty ruled over Punjab including the present area of Amritsar district. His son and successor, Anangpal was finally defeated by Sultan Mahmmod of Ghazni in A.D. 1008.
• From that time, until the final overthrow of the Muhammdan Supremacy, The Amritsar district was attached to the Suba or Province of Lahore.
• The Important Muhammdan dynasties were the slave dynasty, the Lodhi dynasty and the Mughal dynasty. During the medieval period, the people of Amritsar district were influenced much by the teachings of the Sikh Gurus who were contemporaries of the Mughal rulers.
• Amritsar and the Sikh gurus

Guru Nanak Dev ji-

• The People of Amritsar District came under the influence of teachings of Guru Nanak in the beginning of 16th century, Bhai Lehna (later known as Guru Angad Dev), a residence of Khadur Sahib became a devoted follower of Guru Nanak.
• He preached people on the lines of Guru Nanak.
• He converted Takhat Mal, the headman of the village, and many others to his faith.
• A community kitchen (langer) was also initiated and men from far and near started pouring in to receive spiritual instruction from him. Even Guru Nanak visited him at Khadur Sahib twice and on his second visit, seeing his never-failing devotion to god and man took him back to Kartarpur and appointed him as his successor on 14 July 1539 and called him Angad.

Guru Angad Dev-

• Guru Angad Dev settled at Khadur Sahib, his native village and made it his headquarters. He began to preach and spread gospels of Guru Nanak with great devotion.
• He allowed one of his disciples-Gobind to build a township on the bank of the river Beas, but refused to call the new settlement after his own name and called it Gobindwal (now Goindwal) to commemorate the memory of the disciple.
• It was on 29 March 1552 Amar Das Ji, the most devoted follower of Guru Angad Dev, was appointed by Baba Buddha as the third Guru of the Sikhs in the benign presence of the Guru.

Guru Amar Das-

• Guru Amar Das guided the Sikhs from Goindwal from 1552-1574.
• In the year 1567, when Akbar visited Lahore, he made a call on the Guru at Goindwal.
• On being told that the Guru would see no one, high or low, till one had partaken of the food from the langar (community Kitchen), Akbar, a man of broad sympathies and high culture, welcomed the Idea and partook of the food distributed there, sitting in a row with his subjects of humble origin.
• Guru Amar Das established 22manjis (dioceses) in many parts of the country to popularise Guru Nanak’s message.
• The Guru also got constructed a baoli at Goindwal and fixed the first of Baisakh as the day of the annual gathering of the Sikhs. He introduced several new ceremonies on occasions of birth and death, replacing the chanting of Sanskrit Shiolokas by the recitation of Gurbani.
• He preached against the purdah system, the seclusion of women, encouraged inter-caste alliances and remarriage of widows.
• The Guru condemned the practice of sati (burning of widow on the pyre of her husband’s dead body).
• In 1573, Guru Amar Das deputed Ram Das ji to start excavation of the tank later known as Santokhsar and to found a new town later known as Amritsar.
• Later on it began to be called, variously, as Guru ka Chak, Chak Guru Ram Das, or Ram Das Pura. Kilns were laid and a number of hutments were built. The Guru also took abode in a hut near the site (later named Guru ke Mehal)
• In 1574, when Guru Amar Das saw his end approaching, he summoned Ram Das to Goindwal and made him his successor on 1 September 1574.

Guru Ram Das-

• Guru Ram Das ascended the spiritual throne of Guru Nanak at the age of about forty years in 1574.
• During his brief period of seven years, he achieved considerable progress in expanding the activities of the Sikh religion.
• He sent out many of his disciples called Masands even to neighbouring countries like Afghanistan to spread the gospel and also to collect offerings of the devotees which he needed more than ever not only to run the community kitchen, but also to complete the excavation of the sacred tank later called Amritsar and to expand the activities of the city of Ramdaspur he had founded in the life time of Guru Amar Das

4. Gurudaspur District-
History-

• Gurdaspur, a major city of Punjab, was founded by Guriyaji Mahant in the 17th century. The place forms the northernmost part of the state. Resting within Jalandhar division, and flanked by the rivers Beas and Ravi, it shares its boundary with the districts of Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Amritsar and Pathankot.
• At the time of partition, Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib, a famous Sikh heritage site went to Pakistan.
• The Emperor Akbar was crowned at Kalanaur, which is 26 km from the city.
• During partition of India in 1947 the future of Gurdaspur could not be decided for many days. The majority of population of this district was a 51.14% Muslim majority.
• Radcliffe Awards of Boundary transferred only Shakargarh Tehsil of Gurdaspur district to Pakistan, and the rest of the district was transferred to India.

5. Hoshiarpur District-

• The two rivers, Sutlej and Beas along with two other seasonal streams provide drainage to the region. Besides these, the Kandi region is full of seasonal streams.
• It falls into two nearly equal portions of hill and plain country.
• Its eastern face consists of the westward slope of the Solar Singhi Hills; parallel with that ridge, a line of lower heights belonging to the Siwalik Range traverses the district from south to north, while between the two chains stretches a valley of uneven width, known as the Jaswan Dun.
• Its upper portion is crossed by the Sohan torrent, while the Sutlej sweeps into its lower end through a break in the hills, and flows in a southerly direction until it turns the flank of the central range, and debouches westwards upon the plains.
• Hoshiarpur is also known as a City of Saints. There are many Deras in this district.

6. Pathankot District-
History-

• Pathankot was the capital of Nurpur State and its name was changed to Dhameri (Nurpur) in the time of Akbar.
• The Pathania clan of Rajput derived its name from ancient name of Pathankot which was Paithan at that time.

7. Tarn Taran District-
History-

• Tarn Taran Sahib was founded by the Fifth Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1563–1606). He laid the foundation of Sri Tarn Taran Sahib Temple.
• Tarn Taran Sahib was part of the Bhangi Sikh Dynasty ruled by a powerful Sikh family of the Dhillon Clan from 1716 to 1810.
• In 1947, the year of the Partition of India and the Partition of Punjab, Tarn Taran was the only Tehsil (district) in Punjab, along with Sheikhpura, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Patti, Amritsar, Lyallpur, and Patiala, with a majority Sikh population.
• The city was a center of the Sikh insurgency during the 1980s and early 1990s.
• Tarn Taran Sahib was suggested as the capital of Khalistan, the proposed Sikh independent nation.
• The main occupation in this area is agriculture and agro industry, with very few other industries.
• Tarn Taran district was formed in 2006.

D. Patiala Division-
Patiala District-
History-

• Baba Ala Singh (1691–1765), a Sikh chieftain from village Rampura Phul in Bathinda District of Punjab, with his army of young brave men migrated to Barnala where Baba Ala Singh in 1763 set up his new state.
• Later Baba Ala Singh moved to a small village of Lehal where he built a new city on the village, naming it as Patiala.
• He laid the foundations of a steady and stable state known as Phulkian Dynasty south of Sirhind.
• In and around Patiala District he founded many villages within his territory, and reconstructed many historical Gurdwaras relating to Sikh religion
• It was since Baba Ala Singh time that Patiala District came into being as before the area was under the Sirhind Government.
• Baba Ala Singh made Sirhind, Tohana, Mansa, Bathinda, Sangrur and Barnala, Fatehabad District part of Patiala State.
• In 1809 Patiala State came under British protection during the reign of Maharaja Sahib Singh (1773–1813) of Phulkian Dynasty, as he feared that Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Lahore would cross the Sutlej River and take the district and state so the Patiala rulers got the British to protect them from further invasion from 1809-1947 Patiala remained under British Protection.
• In 1948 Patiala Princely State was abolished by the Indian government.
• Patiala District was further divided into Fatehgarh Sahib District on 13 April 1992 Baisakhi.

Qila Mubarak-

• A fine specimen of the Sikh architecture, the Qila Mubarak served as the residence for the Royal Palace of Patiala.
• The palace complex is spread across an area of 10 acres and is located in the center of the city.
• The palace contains a museum and an art gallery which features the Patiala paintings that depict various scenes from the Hindu mythology.

Sheesh Mahal-

• Located at the old Moti Bag palace, the Sheesh mahal or the palace of mirrors was constructed in the 19th century.
• The Sheesh mahal is adorned with a huge number of frescoes.
• The construction of the Sheesh Mahal was done under the Maharaja Narinder Singh.
• The lake located by the palace and the bridge called the Lakshamana Jhula is one of the most famous attractions in Patiala.

Baradari Gardens-

• The name Baradari refers to the 12 doors that serve as an entrance to this historic garden.
• The garden is a fine specimen of Mughal era architecture that blends the Indian, Persian and Turkic architecture.
• The garden was built near the palatial residence of Maharaja Rajinder Singh called the Baradari Palace or the Rajinder Kothi which is now a heritage hotel.
   

2. Sangrur District-

• It is believed that Sangrur was founded by a Jat named Sangu about 350 years ago. Upto 1774, it was just like a village.
• At the time of Independence of India in 1947, it was the capital of Jind state.
• It was made a district on 21 September 1948 when PEPSU state was formed.

3. Ludhiana District-
History-

• Ludhiana gets its name from the Lodhi Dynasty, which is believed to have founded the city in 1480.
• During the reign of the Mughal emperor Akbar the area formed part of the Sarkar of Sirhind.
• Chakar, Talwandi Rai in 1478 AD, Raikot in 1648 AD and Jagraon in 1688 AD were founded by the Rai family of Raikot.
• In the latter period of Mughal rule the western part of the district was leased to the Rais of Raikot.
• By the early eighteenth century they had become semi independent of the Mughals. The villages in Ludhiana district remained independent and under the rule of local powerful village Sikh chieftains, from 1707 to 1835.
• In 1747 Ahmad Shah Durrani invaded and battled the imperial army near Khanna. Although the Mughals were able to stop Ahmad Shah, his subsequent invasions weakened the Mughals, which allowed the Rais to take control of Ludhiana town in 1760.
• During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Ludhiana became an important British cantonment. Initially, in 1805, Ranjit Singh occupied Ludhiana. However, in 1809, the British decided to curb his advance eastward and sent troops to confront him.
• Ranjit Singh was forced to sign the treaty of 'perpetual friendship' with the British, which confined his activities to the right bank of the Sutlej.

4. Barnala District-
History-

• Barnala was named after Baba Ala Singh. Previously it was a district headquarter in erstwhile princely state system, it was later merged in PEPSU (PATIALA & EAST PUNJAB STATES UNION) and degraded as sub divisional headquarter.
• Baba Ala Singh conquered Sirhind fighting his battles from this place. When he overpowered remote areas then from administrative angle he shifted his capital from Barnala to Patiala.

5. Fatehgarh Sahib-
History-

• The historic and pious District of Fatehgarh Sahib came into existence with effect from 13th April, 1992, Baisakhi Day deriving its name from Sahibzada Fateh Singh, the youngest son of Guru Gobind Singh.
• The tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh fought against the atrocities of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, due to which he bore the wrath of the Dynasty.
• The youngest Sahibzadas of Guru Ji namely Sahibzada Zorawar Singh & Sahibzada Fateh Singh along with their grandmother Mata Gujriji was done to death in this very town.
• The present Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib has been constructed in their holy memory.

E. Ropar Division-
Rupnagar District-
History-
Indus Valley Civilization-

• The recent excavations carried out at Rupnagar have proved that this town was the seat of well developed Indus Valley Civilization. In proto - Historic Punjab perhaps Rupnagar is the only known excavation site which can claim the status of a small town or city.
• The founds in recent excavations consists of earthen bares, statues, coins, etc. That proves that the city dates back to Harappa - Mohenjodaro civilization which crossed Satluj River.
• In the excavations many things founded belongs to Chandra Gupta, Kushan, Hoon and Mughal period.
•  One of rare finds is a seal of Marble on which there are three letters engraved in Sindhi script.
• One of the finds is the statue of a woman dressing her hair.

S. Hari Singh-

• S. Hari Singh Rais of Sialba conquered Ropar in 1763 A.D. and established his state. His son Charat Singh made Ropar capital of the state.
• After the fall of Sirhind in 1763, Rupnagar came under the Sikhs Chief Hari Singh. The most famous ruler of Ropar state was Raja Bhup Singh, who fought in the anglo-sikhs war of 1945. On the side of Maharaja Dalip Singh, the minor successor of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, against the British. Consequently, after the victory of the British, Ropar state of Raja Bhup Singh was confiscated.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji-
The history of Ropar district is in fact the war of Guru Gobind Singh Ji against Mughal tyranny, exploiters and social evils. It is here in this district at Sarsa Nangal that the great Guru parted with the family and proceeded to Chamkaur Sahib where two elder Sahibzadas laid down their lives fighting for truth and Guru Sahib left for Machhiwara on a constant struggle.

Virasat-e-Khalsa-

• Virasat-e-Khalsa is a museum of Sikhism, located in the holy town, Anandpur Sahib, near Chandigarh, the capital of the state of Punjab.
• The museum celebrates 500 years of the Sikh history and the 300th anniversary of the birth of Khalsa, based on the scriptures written by the tenth and last human guru, Guru Gobind Singh.

There are two complexes at each side of a ravine, connected by a ceremonial bridge-

1. The smaller western complex includes an entrance plaza, an auditorium with 400 seating-capacity, two-story research and reference library, and changing exhibition galleries.
2. The eastern complex contains a round memorial building as well as extensive, permanent exhibition space, consisting of two clusters of galleries that try to evoke the fortress architecture of the region (most evident in a nearby Gurudwara) and form a dramatic silhouette against the surrounding cliff terrain. The gathering of the galleries in groups of five reflects the Five Virtues, a central tenet of Sikhism

2. SAS Nagar-

3. SBS Nagar District-
History-

• Nawanshahr was founded by the migrants from Rahon near the Satluj River as Rahon was in danger of being flooded.
• They named it Nawanshahr (New City).  (Because people shifted from the old town of Rahon avoiding the ravages of Sutlej River)
• Nawanshahr has been the stronghold of the Ghorewaha Rajputs allied to King Akbar via kinship ties.