Exam papers ask a lot about Punjab's map: how many districts it has, which is the newest or the largest, and in which district a famous town, temple or museum lies. Since 2021, Punjab has 23 districts in 5 divisions. On this page you will learn: (1) the districts and divisions, with a map; (2) when each new district was made, and from which old one; (3) what each town is famous for — plus Chandigarh, highways, railways, airports and border points.
23
Districts
since 2021
5
Divisions
each under a Divisional Commissioner
Ludhiana
Largest district
by area and population
Malerkotla
Newest district
23rd, 2021
State to village
Learn the ladder first. Every district question sits on it.
- The state is divided into districts (ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹੇ). Each district is headed by a Deputy Commissioner (DC), who is an IAS officer.
- Districts are grouped into 5 divisions: Jalandhar, Patiala, Rupnagar, Faridkot and Ferozepur. Each division is under a Divisional Commissioner.
- Below the district: sub-divisions and tehsils → blocks → villages.
- 6 districts touch the Pakistan border (north to south): Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur and Fazilka.
KEY TERM
Division vs district
A division is a group of districts under a Divisional Commissioner. A district is the main working unit under a Deputy Commissioner. Punjab has 5 divisions and 23 districts (since 2021).
State→5 divisions→23 districts→Tehsils→Blocks→Villages
Numbers: tehsils, villages, seatsTap to open
- About 97 tehsils and 82 sub-tehsils (2024 figure — new tehsils keep being added) and about 12,500 inhabited villages.
- Seats: 13 Lok Sabha, 7 Rajya Sabha and 117 Vidhan Sabha.
QUICK CHECK
Administratively, Punjab is divided into how many divisions?
Tap an option to answer
Answer: B — 5
Jalandhar, Patiala, Rupnagar, Faridkot and Ferozepur — each under a Divisional Commissioner.
The 23 districts
See them on the map first, then learn the five divisions.
MAP
Punjab's 23 districts by division
Jalandhar division (7)Patiala division (6)Rupnagar division (3)Faridkot division (3)Ferozepur division (4)Rivers
Map: geoBoundaries (ODbL; DataMeet CC BY 2.5 IN), Natural Earth rivers (public domain)
REMEMBER
Five divisions, J-P-R-F-F — read them off the map: Jalandhar (7) is the north (Majha and most of Doaba); Patiala (6) is the middle; Rupnagar (3) is the eastern edge; Faridkot (3) and Ferozepur (4) are the south-west. Count: 7-6, then 3-3-4.
Full tables: divisions, area, populationTap to open
| Division | No. of districts | Districts |
|---|---|---|
| Jalandhar | 7 | Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur |
| Patiala | 6 | Ludhiana, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Sangrur, Malerkotla, Barnala |
| Ferozepur | 4 | Ferozepur, Fazilka, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Moga |
| Faridkot | 3 | Faridkot, Bathinda, Mansa |
| Rupnagar | 3 | Rupnagar, SAS Nagar (Mohali), SBS Nagar (Nawanshahr) |
| District | Area (sq km) | Population 2011 (lakh) | Made in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amritsar | 2,647 | 24.91 | Old district |
| Tarn Taran (HQ Tarn Taran Sahib) | 2,449 | 11.20 | 2006 (from Amritsar) |
| Gurdaspur | 2,635 | 22.99 † | Old district |
| Pathankot | 929 | 6.77 | 2011 (from Gurdaspur) |
| Jalandhar | 2,632 | 21.82 | Old district |
| Kapurthala | 1,632 | 8.18 | Old district |
| Hoshiarpur | 3,365 | 15.83 | Old district |
| Rupnagar (HQ Ropar) | 1,369 | 6.83 | 1 Nov 1966 (with the new state) |
| SAS Nagar (HQ Mohali) | 1,093 | 9.86 | 2006 (from Rupnagar) |
| SBS Nagar (HQ Nawanshahr) | 1,267 | 6.14 | 1995 (renamed 2008) |
| Ludhiana | 3,767 | 34.88 | Old district |
| Patiala | 3,218 | 18.92 | Old district |
| Fatehgarh Sahib | 1,180 | 6.00 | 1992 (from Patiala) |
| Sangrur | 2,848 | 12.03 ‡ | Old district |
| Malerkotla | 837 | 4.52 ‡ | 2021 (from Sangrur) |
| Barnala | 1,410 | 5.96 | 2006 (from Sangrur) |
| Faridkot | 1,469 | 6.18 | 1972 |
| Bathinda | 3,385 | 13.89 | Old district |
| Mansa | 2,171 | 7.69 | 1992 (from Bathinda) |
| Ferozepur | 2,190 | 9.65 | Old district |
| Fazilka | 3,113 | 11.80 | 2011 (from Ferozepur) |
| Sri Muktsar Sahib | 2,615 | 9.03 | 1995 (from Faridkot) |
| Moga | 2,216 | 9.92 | 1995 (from Faridkot) |
QUICK CHECK
How many districts are there in Punjab?
Tap an option to answer
Answer: C — 23
Malerkotla became the 23rd district in 2021. Before that Punjab had 22.
Growth to 23 districts
District creation years are asked again and again. Learn them in order.
DISTRICT COUNT, STEP BY STEP
- 196611 districtsFormed with the new state on 1 Nov 1966
- 197212+ Faridkot
- 199214+ Fatehgarh Sahib, Mansa
- 199517+ Moga, Muktsar, Nawanshahr
- 200620+ SAS Nagar, Tarn Taran, Barnala
- 201122+ Pathankot, Fazilka
- 202123+ Malerkotla
MALERKOTLA: THE 23RD DISTRICT
Malerkotla was carved out of Sangrur district in 2021. It has three sub-divisions: Malerkotla, Amargarh and Ahmedgarh. It is the only Muslim-majority district of Punjab and was once a princely state ruled by Nawabs. Its Nawab Sher Mohammad Khan raised the "Haa da Naara" (a cry of protest) against the bricking-alive of Guru Gobind Singh's younger sons at Sirhind.
Exact dates of each new districtTap to open
TIMELINE
- 1 Nov 196611 districts
Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Ferozepur, Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur, Bathinda and Rupnagar (Ropar).
- 7 Aug 1972Faridkot
Made out of parts of Bathinda and Ferozepur.
- 13 Apr 1992Fatehgarh Sahib and Mansa
Both on Baisakhi day — Fatehgarh Sahib from Patiala, Mansa from Bathinda.
- Nov 1995Moga, Muktsar and Nawanshahr
Moga and Muktsar from Faridkot. Nawanshahr was renamed Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar in 2008; Muktsar became Sri Muktsar Sahib in 2012.
- 2006SAS Nagar, Tarn Taran, Barnala
SAS Nagar (Mohali) on 14 April; Tarn Taran on 16 June (400th martyrdom year of Guru Arjan Dev); Barnala on 19 November. These were the 18th, 19th and 20th districts.
- 27 Jul 2011Pathankot and Fazilka
The 21st and 22nd districts — Pathankot from Gurdaspur, Fazilka from Ferozepur.
- 2021Malerkotla — the 23rd district
Announced on 14 May 2021 (Eid), notified on 2 June 2021, carved out of Sangrur.
QUICK FACT
Mansa was formed on 13 April 1992 from Bathinda. On the same day Fatehgarh Sahib was formed from Patiala. Both lie in the Malwa region.
QUICK CHECK
Malerkotla was made the 23rd district of Punjab. It was mainly carved out of which district?
Tap an option to answer
Answer: A — Sangrur
Announced on 14 May 2021 (Eid) and notified on 2 June 2021. Mansa, by contrast, came from Bathinda (1992).
District records
All figures are from Census 2011 unless a date is given.
| Record | District — figure |
|---|---|
| Largest by area | Ludhiana — 3,767 sq km |
| Largest by population | Ludhiana — 34.9 lakh |
| Smallest by area (today) | Malerkotla — 837 sq km; Pathankot (929) is next |
| Least populous (today) | Malerkotla — about 4.5 lakh |
| Least populous among the 2011 districts | Barnala — 5.96 lakh |
| Highest population density | Ludhiana — 975 per sq km; Amritsar 932 next |
| Lowest population density | Sri Muktsar Sahib — 348 per sq km; Mansa 350 next |
| Only Muslim-majority district | Malerkotla — made in 2021 |
Most populous districts of Punjab (Census 2011)
More numbers: density, literacy, sex ratioTap to open
2.77 cr
Population
Census 2011
551
Density
per sq km (India: 382)
75.84%
Literacy
M 80.44%, F 70.73%
895
Sex ratio
females per 1,000 males (India: 943)
| Record | District | Figure |
|---|---|---|
| Highest literacy | Hoshiarpur | about 85% |
| Lowest literacy | Mansa | about 62% |
| Best sex ratio | Hoshiarpur | 961 females per 1,000 males |
| Worst sex ratio | Bathinda | 868 |
| District | Density 2011 (persons per sq km) |
|---|---|
| Ludhiana | 975 |
| Amritsar | 932 |
| SAS Nagar (Mohali) | about 909 |
| Punjab (state average) | 551 |
| Moga | about 444 |
| Mansa | 350 |
| Sri Muktsar Sahib | 348 |
QUICK CHECK
According to Census 2011, which of these districts has the lowest population density?
Tap an option to answer
Answer: B — Muktsar
Sri Muktsar Sahib has 348 people per sq km, just below Mansa (350). Moga is about 444 and Mohali about 909.
Old names and nicknames
Renamed places and town nicknames are a favourite one-mark question.
| Old name → name today | Why / when |
|---|---|
| Mokalhar → Faridkot | Renamed after the Sufi saint Baba Farid |
| Nawanshahr → Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (SBS Nagar) | Renamed in 2008 after Shaheed Bhagat Singh; HQ is still Nawanshahr |
| Mohali → Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (SAS Nagar) | Named after Sahibzada Ajit Singh, elder son of Guru Gobind Singh; HQ Mohali |
| Ropar → Rupnagar | Both names are still used |
| Khidrana → Muktsar → Sri Muktsar Sahib | Chali Mukte (1705); district renamed in 2012 |
FLASHCARDS
Old names and nicknames: tap to check
- Mokalhar
- Faridkot — renamed after Baba Farid
- Virat ki Nagri
- Dasuya (Hoshiarpur)
- Guru ki Kashi
- Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda)
- Manchester of Punjab
- Ludhiana — hosiery, woollens, bicycles (Manchester of India = Ahmedabad)
- Loha Nagri (steel town)
- Mandi Gobindgarh (Fatehgarh Sahib)
- City Beautiful
- Chandigarh — planned by Le Corbusier
- Mecca of Indian hockey
- Sansarpur (Jalandhar Cantonment) — a village of Olympians
- Nursery of football
- Mahilpur (Hoshiarpur)
- Newspaper centre of Punjab
- Jalandhar — Ajit, Jagbani, Punjab Kesari
- Paris of Punjab
- Kapurthala — French-style palaces and gardens
Old names of towns, and who founded themTap to open
| Old name → name today | Why / when |
|---|---|
| Guru ka Chak / Ramdaspur → Amritsar | Founded by Guru Ram Das |
| Makhowal / Chakk Nanaki → Anandpur Sahib | Founded by Guru Tegh Bahadur, 1665 |
| Talwandi Sabo → Damdama Sahib — "Guru ki Kashi" | Damdami Bir written here, 1705–06 |
| Uchha Pind → Sanghol (Fatehgarh Sahib) | Local name of the old mound |
| "Virat ki Nagri" → Dasuya (Hoshiarpur) | By legend, capital of King Virat of the Mahabharata |
| City / town | Founded by | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Ludhiana | Lodi chiefs (named after the Lodis) | c. 1480 |
| Sultanpur Lodhi | Re-founded by Sultan Khan Lodi | Lodi period |
| Bathinda | Rao Bhati (Bhatti Rajputs) | Ancient |
| Goindwal | Guru Amar Das | 1546 |
| Amritsar | Guru Ram Das | 1577 (c. 1574 in many books) |
| Sri Hargobindpur | Guru Arjan Dev (rebuilt by Guru Hargobind, 1630) | 1587 |
| Tarn Taran | Guru Arjan Dev | 1590 |
| Kartarpur (Jalandhar) | Guru Arjan Dev | 1594 |
| Kiratpur Sahib | Guru Hargobind | 1626 |
| Anandpur Sahib | Guru Tegh Bahadur | 1665 |
| Patiala (Qila Mubarak) | Baba Ala Singh | 1763 |
QUICK CHECK
Which town of Punjab was known as 'Virat ki Nagri'?
Tap an option to answer
Answer: C — Dasuya
By legend, Dasuya (Hoshiarpur) was the capital of King Virat of the Mahabharata.
Majha and Doaba towns
Read the district column carefully — most questions ask "in which district?" Extra facts are in the box below the table.
| Town — district | Famous for |
|---|---|
| Amritsar | Sri Harmandir Sahib; Jallianwala Bagh (more in the landmarks table) |
| Attari — Amritsar | Attari–Wagah border; last Indian railway station before Lahore |
| Tarn Taran | Founded by Guru Arjan Dev; Harike wetland (where the Beas meets the Sutlej) |
| Batala — Gurdaspur | Tomb of Shamsher Khan (an officer of Akbar's time); iron foundries and farm machinery |
| Qadian — Gurdaspur | Headquarters of the Ahmadiyya sect in India (Mirza Ghulam Ahmad began the movement here in 1889) |
| Sri Hargobindpur — Gurdaspur | Guru di Maseet — a mosque built by Guru Hargobind for local Muslims |
| Kalanaur — Gurdaspur | Akbar was crowned here in February 1556 (Takht-i-Akbari) |
| Jalandhar | Newspaper centre of Punjab (Ajit, Jagbani, Punjab Kesari); sports goods |
| Sansarpur — Jalandhar (Cantonment) | "Mecca of Indian hockey" — has given many Olympians |
| Kartarpur — Jalandhar | Jang-e-Azadi Memorial |
| Kapurthala | Jagatjit Palace (Sainik School); Kanjli wetland |
| Hoshiarpur | Wood inlay craft; Takhni-Rehmapur Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Mahilpur — Hoshiarpur | "Nursery of football" — built by Principal Harbhajan Singh of the Khalsa College there |
| Dasuya — Hoshiarpur | "Virat ki Nagri" |
| Khatkar Kalan — SBS Nagar | Ancestral village of Bhagat Singh; Shaheed Bhagat Singh Museum (1981) |
- Kapurthala is often called the "Paris of Punjab" because of its French-style buildings.
- Pushpa Gujral Science City is on the Jalandhar–Kapurthala road, in Kapurthala district (not Jalandhar). It opened in 2005 and is named after Pushpa Gujral, mother of former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral.
- Kanjli wetland (Kapurthala) is a man-made lake built in 1870 on the Kali Bein. It became a Ramsar site in 2002. The spelling is Kanjli, not "Kanji".
More towns and facts (and one-off questions)Tap to open
| Town — district | Famous for |
|---|---|
| Dera Baba Nanak — Gurdaspur | Kartarpur Corridor to Kartarpur Sahib, Pakistan (opened 9 November 2019) |
| Pathankot | Gateway to J&K and Himachal; Ranjit Sagar Dam |
| Sultanpur Lodhi — Kapurthala | Guru Nanak Dev spent about 14 years here; Kali Bein |
- Amritsar: papad-warian; Guru Nanak Dev University (1969). Its temples, fort and sarovar are in the landmarks table further down.
- Pathankot: Mukteshwar temple.
- Jalandhar: Devi Talab Mandir; Baba Sodal Mandir; NIT (National Institute of Technology) Jalandhar.
- Kartarpur (Jalandhar): the Jang-e-Azadi Memorial (2016–18) stands on the Jalandhar–Amritsar highway; the town is also known for furniture.
- Kapurthala: the Moorish Mosque (1930), modelled on the Koutoubia mosque of Marrakesh; Panch Mandir; Shalimar Bagh; Rail Coach Factory (1986).
- Hoshiarpur: Sonalika tractors; Guru Ravidas Ayurved University.
- Also asked once — Phagwara (Kapurthala): sugar mill, JCT textiles, Lovely Professional University. Punjab's first all-woman Post Office Passport Seva Kendra opened here in 2018.
Jalandhar division: Majha and Doaba towns
Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar — the city founded by Guru Ram Das
Rupeshsarkar, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sarovar at Tarn Taran — town founded by Guru Arjan Dev (1590); district since 2006
Moorish Mosque, Kapurthala (1930) — modelled on the Koutoubia mosque of Marrakesh
Harvinder Chandigarh, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
QUICK CHECK
Where is the headquarters of the Ahmadiyya sect of Muslims in Punjab?
Tap an option to answer
Answer: C — Qadian
Qadian is in Gurdaspur district; Mirza Ghulam Ahmad began the movement here in 1889. Malerkotla is the trap — it is the Muslim-majority district.
QUICK CHECK
The Science City of Punjab is located in which district?
Tap an option to answer
Answer: D — Kapurthala
Pushpa Gujral Science City is on the Jalandhar–Kapurthala road, but inside Kapurthala district.
Malwa towns
Malwa has 15 of the 23 districts, so it gets the most questions.
| Town — district | Famous for |
|---|---|
| Ludhiana | Largest city; "Manchester of Punjab" (some books: of North India; the Manchester of India is Ahmedabad) — hosiery and woollens; PAU (Punjab Agricultural University, 1962) |
| Patiala | Qila Mubarak; Sheesh Mahal — Punjab's biggest art gallery |
| Sanghol (Uchha Pind) — Fatehgarh Sahib | Harappan and Kushan-period site; Buddhist stupa and a museum |
| Sangrur | Banasar Bagh (garden of the old Jind state); SLIET (an engineering institute) at Longowal |
| Bathinda | Biggest railway junction of Punjab; Central University of Punjab at Ghudda (2009) |
| Sardargarh — Bathinda | 100 MW solar plant (Adani) — Punjab's largest solar project when commissioned in 2015 |
| Moga / Dhudike | Dhudike village — birthplace of Lala Lajpat Rai; Nestlé plant |
| Ferozepur / Hussainiwala | Hussainiwala border; National Martyrs Memorial |
| Anandpur Sahib — Rupnagar | Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib; Virasat-e-Khalsa |
Rupnagar division: Anandpur Sahib
Virasat-e-Khalsa (the Khalsa Heritage Centre) at Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar district, designed by Moshe Safdie and opened in 2011.
Aashish3000, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib (Rupnagar) — where the Khalsa was created in 1699
Deziner89, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
VIRASAT-E-KHALSA = SIKH HERITAGE COMPLEX
Three names for one place: Virasat-e-Khalsa, the Khalsa Heritage Centre and the Sikh Heritage Complex. It is at Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar (Ropar) district — the town where the Khalsa was created in 1699. It was designed by the architect Moshe Safdie. It opened in November 2011.
Ten more Malwa towns, and extra factsTap to open
| Town — district | Famous for |
|---|---|
| Khanna — Ludhiana | Biggest grain market (anaj mandi) of Punjab |
| Sirhind — Fatehgarh Sahib | Aam Khas Bagh (Mughal garden); Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib |
| Mandi Gobindgarh — Fatehgarh Sahib | "Loha Nagri" (steel town) — steel re-rolling mills |
| Malerkotla | Only Muslim-majority district; "Haa da Naara" |
| Talwandi Sabo — Bathinda | Takht Sri Damdama Sahib |
| Mansa / Sardulgarh | Cotton belt; Sardulgarh is a tehsil town on the Haryana border |
| Faridkot | Former princely state; Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (1998) |
| Fazilka / Abohar | Kinnow belt; Abohar blackbuck sanctuary |
| Rupnagar (Ropar) | Harappan site (excavated 1953); Ropar headworks |
| Mohali — SAS Nagar | IT hub; PCA cricket stadium |
- Ludhiana: bicycles (Hero) and sewing machines; Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum on the Ludhiana–Chandigarh road.
- Halwara (Ludhiana): Ludhiana's new airport is at the Halwara air base. News reports have given changing opening dates, so check the latest news before your exam.
- Patiala: the Sheesh Mahal also has a huge medal gallery; NIS (National Institute of Sports) in the Old Moti Bagh Palace (1961); Punjabi University (1962); crafts — pagg, paranda, jutti.
- Rajpura (Patiala): Nabha Power thermal plant and an industrial cluster. Nabha (Patiala): former princely state; Hira Mahal.
- Sanghol: on the Chandigarh–Ludhiana road.
- Malerkotla: badges and embroidery.
- Bathinda: Qila Mubarak (linked to Razia Sultan); lakes; AIIMS (2019); HMEL oil refinery at Phulokhari (2012).
- Mansa: Talwandi Sabo Power (1,980 MW) at Banawala.
- Moga: called the "Mini Punjab of NRIs".
- Ferozepur: Shaheed Bhagat Singh State University (2021).
- Fazilka: potash reserves were reported here in 2025, making Punjab the second state after Rajasthan with such reserves (recent news, asked in a 2025 paper).
- Malout (Sri Muktsar Sahib): cooperative cotton spinning mill.
- Anandpur Sahib: Hola Mohalla. Also asked once: Mahiruwala is a sand-mining site near Anandpur Sahib (Ropar).
- Rupnagar: IIT Ropar (2008); Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant.
- Mohali: IISER (a science research institute, 2007); Chhatbir Zoo; Sikh Ajaibghar (museum) at Balongi.
Patiala division: Malwa towns
Clock tower (Ghanta Ghar), Ludhiana — the largest district by area and population
Mnv179, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Buddhist stupa at Sanghol (Uchha Pind), Fatehgarh Sahib — a Harappan and Kushan site
SpeakingArch, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
QUICK CHECK
Dhudike, birthplace of Lala Lajpat Rai, is in which district of Punjab?
Tap an option to answer
Answer: B — Moga
Dhudike village is in Moga district.
QUICK CHECK
In which district is 'Virasat-e-Khalsa' situated?
Tap an option to answer
Answer: C — Rupnagar
It is at Anandpur Sahib, in Rupnagar (Ropar) district. It was designed by Moshe Safdie and opened in 2011.
Faridkot and Ferozepur divisions: south-west Malwa
Qila Mubarak, Bathinda — linked to Razia Sultan; Bathinda is the biggest railway junction
Guneeta, Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda) — "Guru ki Kashi"
Kuldeepburjbhalaike, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Raj Mahal of the former Faridkot princely state (old photo); old name of Faridkot: Mokalhar
Unknown photographer, Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
National Martyrs Memorial, Hussainiwala (Ferozepur) — Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were cremated here (1931)
Giridhar Appaji Nag Y, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0
Landmarks: which district?
A ready list for "where is …?" and "which pair is wrong?" questions.
| Landmark — district | Remember |
|---|---|
| Santokhsar Sarovar — Amritsar | Begun by Guru Ram Das, finished by Guru Arjan Dev |
| Durgiana Mandir — Amritsar | Foundation stone laid by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya; built in the 1920s in the style of Harmandir Sahib |
| Ram Tirath — Near Amritsar | Linked to Maharishi Valmiki; said to be where Lav and Kush were born |
| Gobindgarh Fort — Amritsar | Bhangi misl fort, strengthened by Maharaja Ranjit Singh; opened to the public in 2017 |
| Devi Talab Mandir — Jalandhar | Durga temple with a big tank; Harballabh music festival every December |
| Baba Sodal Mandir — Jalandhar | Big fair in Bhadon (September) |
| Panch Mandir — Kapurthala | Historic temple complex |
| Shalimar Bagh — Kapurthala | Garden of the Kapurthala rulers |
| Aam Khas Bagh — Sirhind (Fatehgarh Sahib) | Mughal garden |
| Banasar Bagh — Sangrur | Garden of the old Jind state, with a baradari |
Landmarks from the table
Gobindgarh Fort, Amritsar — a Bhangi misl fort, open to the public since 2017
Harvinder Chandigarh, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Durgiana Mandir, Amritsar — built in the 1920s in the style of Harmandir Sahib
Guilhem Vellut, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Banasar Bagh, Sangrur — garden of the old Jind state, with a baradari
Osheen477, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Museums and memorials (also in the town tables)Tap to open
| Landmark — district | Remember |
|---|---|
| Harike wetland — Tarn Taran (Harike Pattan) | Where the Beas meets the Sutlej |
| Sheesh Mahal art gallery — Patiala | Punjab's biggest art gallery |
| Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum — Ludhiana | On the Ludhiana–Chandigarh road |
| Pushpa Gujral Science City — Kapurthala | Jalandhar–Kapurthala road, 2005 |
| Jang-e-Azadi Memorial — Kartarpur (Jalandhar) | Punjab's part in the freedom struggle |
| Virasat-e-Khalsa — Anandpur Sahib (Rupnagar) | Moshe Safdie, opened 2011 |
| Shaheed Bhagat Singh Museum — Khatkar Kalan (SBS Nagar) | Set up in 1981 |
| Sanghol museum — Sanghol (Fatehgarh Sahib) | Harappan and Kushan finds |
QUICK CHECK
Match the sites with their districts: 1. Harike Pattan 2. Banasar Garden 3. Aam Khas Bagh 4. Shalimar Bagh — a. Sangrur b. Tarn Taran c. Kapurthala d. Sirhind
Tap an option to answer
Answer: A — 1b, 2a, 3d, 4c
Harike – Tarn Taran; Banasar Bagh – Sangrur; Aam Khas Bagh – Sirhind; Shalimar Bagh – Kapurthala.
Towns from east to west
Going west, the longitude number gets smaller.
MAP
Eight towns that papers ask you to order
Map: geoBoundaries (ODbL; DataMeet CC BY 2.5 IN), Natural Earth rivers (public domain)
- Rupnagar and Nawanshahr sit on the eastern edge of the state.
- Amritsar and Gurdaspur are in the north-west, close to the Pakistan border.
- Ferozepur and Fazilka are in the far west and south-west.
- The south-west (Fazilka, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda, Mansa) is the sandy cotton belt. See Punjab's location and physical regions.
Longitude table (for reference)Tap to open
| Town | Longitude (about) | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Nawanshahr | 76.1° E | Eastern edge of Doaba |
| Hoshiarpur | 75.9° E | North-east Doaba |
| Ludhiana | 75.85° E | Central Malwa |
| Jalandhar | 75.6° E | Central Doaba |
| Barnala | 75.55° E | Malwa, west of Ludhiana |
| Gurdaspur | 75.4° E | North-west, Majha |
| Mansa | 75.39° E | South-west Malwa |
| Sardulgarh | 75.24° E | Mansa district, on the Haryana border |
QUICK CHECK
Arrange these cities of Punjab from east to west: 1. Gurdaspur 2. Jalandhar 3. Hoshiarpur 4. Nawanshahr
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Answer: B — 4 3 2 1
Nawanshahr (about 76.1° E) → Hoshiarpur (75.9°) → Jalandhar (75.6°) → Gurdaspur (75.4°).
Chandigarh basics
The capital of Punjab — but not a part of Punjab.
- Chandigarh is a Union Territory and the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana (since the reorganisation of 1 November 1966).
- After Partition, Shimla was the temporary capital of East Punjab. Chandigarh became the capital in 1953; it was inaugurated on 7 October 1953 by President Rajendra Prasad.
- Planned by Le Corbusier, a Swiss-born French architect, with Pierre Jeanneret, Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew. The first master plan was by Albert Mayer.
- Known as "The City Beautiful". It lies at the foot of the Shivalik hills.
- The Rock Garden was made from waste by Nek Chand (opened 1976). The Capitol Complex became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016.
- Sukhna Lake is in Chandigarh UT — it is not one of Punjab's Ramsar sites.
- Its airport is Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport; the terminal is on the Mohali side.
QUICK CHECK
Name the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.
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Answer: C — Chandigarh
Chandigarh is a Union Territory and has been the joint capital since 1 November 1966.
Roads, rail and airports
Simple facts, often asked.
| Highway | Route in Punjab | Remember |
|---|---|---|
| Old NH-1 (Grand Trunk Road) | Ambala – Rajpura – Ludhiana – Jalandhar – Amritsar – Attari | Its Delhi–Jalandhar stretch is now part of NH-44 (on via Pathankot to Jammu and Srinagar); Jalandhar–Amritsar–Attari is now part of NH-3 |
| NH-3 | Attari – Amritsar – Jalandhar – Hoshiarpur → Himachal | Goes on towards Mandi, Manali and Leh |
| NH-7 | Starts at Fazilka on the Pakistan border and runs east across Punjab | Ends at Mana, near Badrinath, in Uttarakhand |
| NH-54 | Pathankot – Amritsar – Bathinda | Runs north to south through western Punjab |
| Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway | Through Punjab to Amritsar and on to J&K | Under construction |
- Punjab's railways come under Northern Railway — mainly the Ferozepur and Ambala divisions.
- Bathinda is the biggest railway junction of Punjab. Lines go out to Delhi, Rajpura/Ambala, Ferozepur, Sri Ganganagar, Jodhpur and Rewari.
- Attari is the last railway station on the Indian side of the Amritsar–Lahore line. Wagah is on the Pakistan side.
- Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala (1986) and Patiala Locomotive Works (PLW), Patiala — earlier called the Diesel Loco Modernisation Works (DMW) — are Punjab's railway workshops.
| Airport | Where — type |
|---|---|
| Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport | Amritsar (Rajasansi) — International |
| Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport | Chandigarh / Mohali side — International |
| Halwara Airport | Ludhiana (Halwara air base) — new; planned as international (check the latest news on flights) |
| Bhisiana | Bathinda — Domestic |
| Pathankot | Pathankot — Domestic |
| Adampur | Jalandhar — Domestic |
| Sahnewal | Ludhiana — Domestic |
QUICK FACT
A third crossing point is the Kartarpur Corridor at Dera Baba Nanak (Gurdaspur). It opened on 9 November 2019 and lets pilgrims visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur, in Pakistan.
QUICK CHECK
Which National Highway connects Attari, Amritsar and Hoshiarpur in Punjab?
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Answer: B — NH-3
NH-3 starts at Attari and runs via Amritsar, Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur into Himachal. NH-7 starts at Fazilka.
QUICK CHECK
Where is the biggest railway junction of Punjab?
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Answer: A — Bathinda
Lines go out from Bathinda to Delhi, Rajpura/Ambala, Ferozepur, Sri Ganganagar, Jodhpur and Rewari.
Common traps
COMMON TRAPS
- How many districts? 23 since 2021; 22 from 2011 to 2021; 20 in 2006. Check the year of the paper.
- Malerkotla came from Sangrur, not from Barnala or Fatehgarh Sahib. Mansa came from Bathinda.
- Largest district is Ludhiana by area and population. Bathinda, Hoshiarpur and Patiala are big but smaller.
- Science City is in Kapurthala district even though it is on the road from Jalandhar.
- Virasat-e-Khalsa is in Rupnagar district (Anandpur Sahib), not in Amritsar, Patiala or Fatehgarh Sahib.
- NH-7 starts at Fazilka; the Attari–Amritsar–Jalandhar–Hoshiarpur road is NH-3.
- Sanghol (Harappan site) is in Fatehgarh Sahib, not Ludhiana or Rupnagar.
- Sansarpur = hockey; Mahilpur = football. Both are in Doaba.
- Lowest density is Sri Muktsar Sahib (348), just below Mansa (350) — not Mohali or Moga.
- Manchester: in Punjab books Ludhiana is the Manchester of Punjab (some say of North India). The Manchester of India is Ahmedabad — if Ahmedabad is an option, choose it.
Quick revision
Read this the night before the exam.
QUICK BYTES
- Districts: 23 (since 2021)
- Divisions: 5 — Jalandhar 7, Patiala 6, Ferozepur 4, Faridkot 3, Rupnagar 3
- District head: Deputy Commissioner
- 23rd district: Malerkotla, 2021, from Sangrur
- 21st and 22nd: Pathankot and Fazilka, 2011
- 2006: SAS Nagar, Tarn Taran, Barnala
- Mansa and Fatehgarh Sahib: 13 April 1992
- Largest district: Ludhiana (area and population)
- Smallest district: Malerkotla; Pathankot next
- Lowest density: Sri Muktsar Sahib (348)
- Punjab 2011: density 551, literacy 75.84%
- Faridkot old name: Mokalhar
- Manchester of Punjab: Ludhiana (of India: Ahmedabad)
- City Beautiful: Chandigarh (joint capital, UT)
- Mecca of hockey: Sansarpur; nursery of football: Mahilpur
- Newspaper centre: Jalandhar
- Science City and Jagatjit Palace: Kapurthala
- Virasat-e-Khalsa: Anandpur Sahib (Rupnagar), Moshe Safdie
- Biggest railway junction: Bathinda
- Last Indian railway station: Attari
CHECK YOURSELF
Name the five divisions of Punjab and the division that has the most districts.
Show answer
Jalandhar, Patiala, Rupnagar, Faridkot and Ferozepur. Jalandhar division has the most — 7 districts.
CHECK YOURSELF
Which district was carved out to make Malerkotla, and when?
Show answer
Sangrur. Malerkotla was announced on 14 May 2021 and notified on 2 June 2021 as Punjab's 23rd district.
CHECK YOURSELF
In which districts are Hussainiwala and Pushpa Gujral Science City?
Show answer
Hussainiwala is in Ferozepur. Pushpa Gujral Science City is in Kapurthala.