Punjab, India

Punjab is a state located in northwestern India. It forms part of the larger Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent.

The state shares an international border with the Pakistani province of Punjab to the west. Within India, it is bordered by Himachal Pradesh to the north and northeast. Haryana sits to the south and southeast. Rajasthan borders the state to the southwest. To the north, it meets Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. To the east, it borders Chandigarh. The state covers 50,362 square kilometres. This area represents 1.53% of the total geographical area of India.

The geography of Punjab is defined by its water and its soil. Three of the five traditional Punjab rivers flow through the state. These are the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers. Because of these rivers, the state is predominantly an agrarian society. This means most people work in agriculture.

During the monsoon season, the landscape features many green agricultural fields.

The state has a strong economy. It ranks as the 15th-largest state economy in India by gross domestic product. Its per capita GDP ranks 17th among Indian states. The state is divided into 23 districts. The capital is Chandigarh, which is also a union territory.

History in Punjab began with the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation. This urban society flourished until its decline around 1900 BCE. Later, the region saw the Indo-Aryan migrations between 1500 and 500 BCE. During the Vedic period, the region was enriched by religious and cultural developments. Much of the Rigveda, the oldest Hindu text, was composed here.

The region also saw the rise of Mahajanapadas, which were local kingdoms ruled by kings. These kingdoms are often mentioned in the ancient Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. The battles in this epic took place in historic Punjab and modern-day Haryana.

Punjab has often served as a frontier for many great empires. In 326 BCE, Alexander the Great invaded the region. He fought a famous battle against King Porus at the Hydaspes.

Although Alexander won, he was impressed by Porus. He chose not to depose him and even expanded Porus's territory. This period led to the syncretism of Greek and Indian cultures. This resulted in Greco-Buddhist art. Later, the region was ruled by the Maurya Empire and the Kushan Empire. It was also conquered by the Gupta and the Mughal Empires.

Sikhism is a major religious and social force in Punjab. It emerged between the 15th and 17th centuries based on the teachings of Sikh Gurus. The religion grew during times of religious persecution. This led to the formation of the Khalsa in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh. The Khalsa was intended to protect freedom of conscience and religion. Members were known as Sant-Sipāhī, or saint-soldiers. The Sikh faith is closely tied to the history of the land. The central religious scripture is the Guru Granth Sahib.

Political power in Punjab shifted many times during the medieval and modern eras. The Mughal Empire ruled from its capital in Lahore until its power weakened. Eventually, Afghan rulers took control of the region. In 1801, Maharaja Ranjit Singh united a confederacy to form the Sikh Empire.

The British East India Company annexed the Punjab region in 1849. In 1947, the province was partitioned during the independence of India. This division happened along religious lines. The western portion became part of Pakistan. The eastern portion remained in India. This caused a large-scale migration between the two sides.

Modern Punjab was reorganised in 1966 following the Punjabi Suba movement. This reorganization was based on language. Haryanvi and Hindi-speaking areas became Haryana. Pahari-speaking regions were attached to Himachal Pradesh. The remaining mostly Punjabi-speaking areas became the current state. Today, the state is home to over 27 million people. The main ethnic group is the Punjabis. Sikhs make up 57.7% of the population, and Hindus make up 38.5%.

Punjabi is the official language, written in the Gurmukhi script.

Culture in Punjab is vibrant and diverse. The state is well known for its music, film, and culinary industries.

Traditional dances like Bhangra are very popular.

People also participate in sports such as Kabaddi.

The state ranks ninth in India on the human development index. This shows the quality of life and development in the region. From its ancient roots to its busy modern cities, Punjab remains a central part of the Indian subcontinent.