Gurdaspur

Gurdaspur
City
Gurdaspur
Gurdaspur
Coordinates: 32°02′00″N 75°24′00″E / 32.0333°N 75.40°E / 32.0333; 75.40Coordinates: 32°02′00″N 75°24′00″E / 32.0333°N 75.40°E / 32.0333; 75.40
Country India
State Punjab
District Gurdaspur
Founded by Bhai Guriya Ji
Government
 • Type Municipality
 • Body Municipal Council Gurdaspur
Area
 • Total 45 km2 (17 sq mi)
Elevation 241 m (791 ft)
Population (2015)
 • Total 331,056
 • Density 649/km2 (1,680/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN 143521
Vehicle registration PB-06
Website gurdaspur.nic.in

Gurdaspur is a city in the state of Punjab, situated in the northwest part of the Republic of India, between the rivers Beas and Raavi, 10 km from the international border between India and Pakistan. It houses the administrative headquarters of Gurdaspur District and is in the geographical centre of the district.

Gurdaspur city was named after Mahant Guriya das ji.[1] The Emperor Akbar was crowned at Kalanaur, which is 26 km from the city. Behrampur town, where the Maqbara (mausoleum) of Bairam Khan is situated, is 10 km away. Dinanagar city, which was the capital of the kingdom of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, is 12 km away.

Demographics

According to the 2011 India census,[2] Gurdaspur had a population of 2,299,026 (1,212,995 males and 1,086,031 females). There was a 9.30% increase in population compared to that of 2001. In the previous 2001 census of India, Gurdaspur District had recorded a 19.74% increase to its population compared to 1991.

The average literacy rate of Gurdaspur in 2011 was 81.10%, compared to 73.80% in 2001. The male and female literacy rates were 85.90% and 75.70%, respectively. For the 2001 census, the rates were 79.80% and 67.10% respectively. The total literate population was 1,668,339, consisting of 928,264 males and 740,075 females. Sex ratio is about 895 females per 1000 males. Population Density was 649 per square km. [2]

History

Coin of Dharaghosha, king of the Audumbaras, in the Indo-Greek style, from Gurdaspur district, circa 100 BCE.[3]
Obv: Standing figure, probably of Vishvamitra, Kharoshthi legend, around: Mahadevasa Dharaghoshasa/Odumbarisa "Great Lord King Dharaghosha/Prince of Audumabara", across: Viçvamitra "Vishvamitra".
Rev: Trident battle-axe, tree with railing, Brahmi legend identical in content to the obverse.[3]

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.[4]

Education

Gurdaspur has many elementary and secondary level schools and has 13 degree level and engineering colleges.[5] Beant College of Engineering & Technology Gurdaspur is among them, founded by then Chief Minister Beant Singh in 1995. A nationally accredited body by Ministry of Tourism (India) Institute of Hotel Management, Catering & Nutrition is also located in Gurdaspur. Jiya Lal Mittal DAV public School, Gurdaspur Public School are private institutions in Gurdaspur.[5]

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ↑ "About District". Gurdaspur.nic.in. Retrieved March 2013. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. 1 2 "Gurdaspur District Population Census 2011, Punjab literacy sex ratio and density". Census2011.co.in.
  3. 1 2 Ancient India, from the earliest times to the first century, A.D by Rapson, E. J. p.154
  4. ↑ "Gurdwara Kartarpura Sahib". Sikh Wiki. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  5. 1 2 "Education Facilities in District Gurdaspur". Gurdaspur.nic.in. Retrieved March 2013. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  6. ↑ http://india.gov.in/my-government/indian-parliament/vinod-khanna

Further reading

  • Chester, Lucy P. Borders and Conflict in South Asia: The Radcliffe Boundary Commission and the Partition of Punjab. Manchester UP, 2009.
  • Wikisource Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Gurdaspur". Encyclopædia Britannica. 12 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
  • Official website
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