Tourism in Punjab
History
Punjab, has a long history and rich cultural heritage. The region has been invaded and ruled by many different empires and races, including the Aryans, Persians, Greeks, Egyptians, Afghans, and Mongols. Around the time of the 15th Century, Guru Nanak Dev founded the Sikh religion, which quickly came to prominence in the region, and shortly afterwards, Maharaja Ranjit Singh reformed the Punjab into a secular and powerful state.
Punjab, has a long history and rich cultural heritage. The region has been invaded and ruled by many different empires and races, including the Aryans, Persians, Greeks, Egyptians, Afghans, and Mongols. Around the time of the 15th Century, Guru Nanak Dev founded the Sikh religion, which quickly came to prominence in the region, and shortly afterwards, Maharaja Ranjit Singh reformed the Punjab into a secular and powerful state.
AncientCivilization
. Archaeological excavations, throughout the state, have revealed evidences of the magnificent cities of Harappa and Mohenjodaro, It is believed that parts of the Ramayana too, were written around the Shri Ram Tirath Ashram, near Amritsar; and it was in these forests that Lav and Kush grew up. Kaikyee belonged to this region. The authors of Vishnu Purana and the Shiv Purano belonged to the central Punjab..
. Archaeological excavations, throughout the state, have revealed evidences of the magnificent cities of Harappa and Mohenjodaro, It is believed that parts of the Ramayana too, were written around the Shri Ram Tirath Ashram, near Amritsar; and it was in these forests that Lav and Kush grew up. Kaikyee belonged to this region. The authors of Vishnu Purana and the Shiv Purano belonged to the central Punjab..
The location of Punjab was on the outskirts of the Great Persian empires. The Persian rulers often attacked it. The Persian King Darius the great was able to occupy some parts of Punjab. But he was Persian King Gustasp who completed the occupation of Punjab in 516 B.C. Soon, Punjab became the wealthiest of all the Satrapies i.e provinces of the Persian kingdom.
At that time the greatest rival of the Persians were the Greeks. They also had some knowledge of the area. Persian emperor Darius I appointed Skylax, the Greek to explore the area around Indus for its commercial viability. Skylax later wrote a book "Peripulus" in which he mentioned about the area and its richness. Hectaeus (500 BC) and Herodotus (483-431 BC) also wrote about the "Indian Satrapy" of the Persians. In Greek maps we find the mention of the mightiest of river of all the world called the Indos (Indus) and its tributaries of Hydaspes (Jehlum), Akesines (Chenab), Hydroatis (Ravi), Hyphasis (Satluj) and Hesidros (Beas).
Alexander'sInvasion(321AD)
The legendary king Great Alexander of Greece had an ambition of conquering the World. Around 321 B.C after crushing the might of Persians, he entered India through its Northwest frontiers. The place, which is modern day Punjab, was then under the rule of Persians and was the richest place on earth. Alexander invited all the local rulers of Punjab to submit to his authority. Some of the rulers did the same, but the ruler of the kingdom between rivers Hydaspes (Jehlum) and Akesines (Chenab), the legendary king Porus, refused to submit to his authority. As a result, fierce battle took place. Both sides suffered heavy casualties. Porus lost his sons and got injured. In the end Alexander's forces took over Punjab and they brought Porus to Alexander's court. Here the legendary conversation took place. Alexander asked Porus "How should I treat you?” Porus shot back "In the same way as a king treats another king". Alexander was struck by his genius and bravery. He returned the kingdom back to Porus.
The legendary king Great Alexander of Greece had an ambition of conquering the World. Around 321 B.C after crushing the might of Persians, he entered India through its Northwest frontiers. The place, which is modern day Punjab, was then under the rule of Persians and was the richest place on earth. Alexander invited all the local rulers of Punjab to submit to his authority. Some of the rulers did the same, but the ruler of the kingdom between rivers Hydaspes (Jehlum) and Akesines (Chenab), the legendary king Porus, refused to submit to his authority. As a result, fierce battle took place. Both sides suffered heavy casualties. Porus lost his sons and got injured. In the end Alexander's forces took over Punjab and they brought Porus to Alexander's court. Here the legendary conversation took place. Alexander asked Porus "How should I treat you?” Porus shot back "In the same way as a king treats another king". Alexander was struck by his genius and bravery. He returned the kingdom back to Porus.
Alexander as with his other occupied areas established two cities in the area of Punjab, where he settled people from his multi-national armies, which included a majority of Greeks and Macedonians. These cities along with the rule of the Indo-Greek thrived long after Alexander's departure.
Muslim Invasions (713 AD -- 1300 AD)
Following the birth of Islam in Arabia in 6th century AD, Arabs rose to power and replaced the Persians as the major power in the area. In 711-13 AD Arabs advanced to the land of five rivers, occupying Multan. Further north the area that survived the Arab attacks was divided into small kingdoms.
Following the birth of Islam in Arabia in 6th century AD, Arabs rose to power and replaced the Persians as the major power in the area. In 711-13 AD Arabs advanced to the land of five rivers, occupying Multan. Further north the area that survived the Arab attacks was divided into small kingdoms.
Ghazni also attacked Punjab after 997ad 17 times and after Ghazni Mahmud gauri Attacked Punjab in 1186 AD and extended his kingdom upto delhi. Then his governor Qutbudin Aibak became the ruler of Punjab. He was replaced by Alauddin Khiljee; who was succeeded by Tughluqs in 1320.
The Rise of Sikh Power (1700 AD -- 1849 AD)
In 1469 A.D, Guru Nanak was born at Talwandi, now in Pakistan. He was to show the world a new light, the path of brotherhood among Hindus and Muslims. Soon he became famous across Punjab and thousands of people started following his teachings. His followers were called the "SIKHS". Guru Angad Sahab Ji succeeded Guru Nanak in 1539 .He was followed by Guru Amardas Sahab Ji, Guru Ramdas Sahab Ji, Guru Ajan Dev Sahab Ji, Guru Har Gobind Sahab Ji, Guru Har Rai Sahab Ji, Guru Har Krihan Sahab Ji, Guru Teg Bahadur Sahab Ji and finally by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
In 1469 A.D, Guru Nanak was born at Talwandi, now in Pakistan. He was to show the world a new light, the path of brotherhood among Hindus and Muslims. Soon he became famous across Punjab and thousands of people started following his teachings. His followers were called the "SIKHS". Guru Angad Sahab Ji succeeded Guru Nanak in 1539 .He was followed by Guru Amardas Sahab Ji, Guru Ramdas Sahab Ji, Guru Ajan Dev Sahab Ji, Guru Har Gobind Sahab Ji, Guru Har Rai Sahab Ji, Guru Har Krihan Sahab Ji, Guru Teg Bahadur Sahab Ji and finally by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
After Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Sikhs started following the holy book, Shri Guru Grandh Sahab Ji, written and compiled by all the Gurus. The 10th Guru was Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He was a true warrior. On 13th April 1699, he modified his Sikhs to a community, different from normal Hindus. From now on, Sikhs were required to keep long hair on head and beard. They were also required to wear a Pagdi i.e. a Turban. He fought several battles with Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Around 1757 A.D, both Punjab and Sind, had fallen to Ahmad Shah Abdali's rule. Ahmad Shah died in June 1773. After his death power of Afghans declined in Punjab.
Next was the territory of Ranjit singh. During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Sikhs had even ruled on Afganistan . The Sikh religion flourished and the territorial boundaries increased. Ranjit Singh constructed many Gurdwaras. He constructed the famous Sachkhand Sahib at Nanded in Maharashtra. He also covered the famous Har Mandir Sahib (Golden Temple) with Gold.
After his death in 1839, the Sikh governors started fighting with each other for supremacy. Slowly the Sikh kingdom started declining and the British took over it.
TheBritishandthePostIndependenceEra
The British ruled Punjab for 200 years like the rest of India. Many of the Freedom Fighters of the Great Indian Freedom Struggle were from Punjab. Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai, Udham Singh were some of the brave sons of this soil who laid down their life for the country. In addition thousands of unsung heros sacrificed themselves in the "Jalian Wala Bagh" incident.
The British ruled Punjab for 200 years like the rest of India. Many of the Freedom Fighters of the Great Indian Freedom Struggle were from Punjab. Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai, Udham Singh were some of the brave sons of this soil who laid down their life for the country. In addition thousands of unsung heros sacrificed themselves in the "Jalian Wala Bagh" incident.
At last on 15th August 1947, India became independent and the State was divided between India and Pakistan. Punjab was again divided into the states of present day Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh for administrative reasons in 1966. Chandigarh on the border of Punjab and Haryana, remains the capital of the two states, yet is administered as a Union Territory from Delhi.
Courtesy Punjab Tourism
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