CHAPTER I
GENERAL
Total Area and Population of the District.-
The area of the Sangrur District according to Director, Land Records, Punjab, Jalandhar was 5,024.17 sq. km. in 2000-01.
The district ranked 3rd
in the State. The tahsil-wise area of
the district as on 31 March
2001 is given below:
(Sq. km.)
Malerkotla 695.36
Sangrur
780.79
Sunam
936.17
Munak 602.86
Barnala 1,409.65
Dhuri 599.34
(Source: Director, Land Records, Punjab,
Jalandhar)
According to the 1991 Census, the total
population of the district was 17,10,120 persons (9,14,361 males and 7,95,759
females) in respect of population, the district ranked 6th amongst
the districts of Punjab.
Administrative Divisions of the
District.- Sangrur District is one of the five districts of Patiala
Division. On 31 March 20001
it has 6 Tahsils/ Subdivisions (Sangrur, Barnala, Malerkotla, Sunam, Dhuri1
and Munak2) and 11
Sub-tahsils3 (Bhawanigarh, Laungowal, Tappa,
Bhadaur, Dhanaula, Ahmadgarh, Amargarh, Dirba, Sherpur, Khanauri and
Lehra). There were 13 development blocks
in the district (Sangrur, Bhawanigarh, Barnala, Sehna, Mahal Kalan,
Malerkotla-I, Malerkotla-II, Dhuri, Sherpur, Sunam, Lehra Gaga, Andana and
Amargarh). According to the 1991 Census there were 709 inhabited villages and 9
un-inhabited villages in the district.
____________________________________________________________
1
Dhuri Tahsil was made a tahsil vide Notification No.,2/44/94-RE II(1)/6763
dated 20 July 1995
2 Munak
Sub-tahsil was also made a tahsil vide Notification No.2/44/94-RE- II(i)/7112
dated 28 July 1995
3
i Dirba Sub-tahsil was created
vide Notification No.2/22/92-RE II(1)/1746 dated 1 March 1994
ii
Dhanaula, Khanauri and Sherpur Sub-tahsils were created vide
Notification No.2/44/94-RE
II(1)/6763 dated 20
July 1995
iii Lehra Sub-tahsil came into existence vide
Notification No.2/44/94-RE-II(1)II(I)/8017 dated 20 August1995
iv
Amargarh Sub-tahsil came into existence vide Notification No.2/41/94-RE
II (1)/5373 dated 17 June
1996
Boundary Changes.- The main volume
of the Sangrur District Gazetteer was published in 1984.
Since then there has been minor territorial changes in the
district. Ten villages4 of Barnala Tahsil
viz.Daddahur, Gobindgarh, Jalaldiwal, Johlan, Kalsian, Mehmoodpura, Shahbajpur,
Dhurkot, Rajgarh, Chak Bhaika and two villlages Kalsian5 and Lohat Baddi of tahsil Malerkotla were
transferred to Raikot Tahsil of Ludhiana District.
(i)
Climatic Divisions and Climate6 Seasons and their Duration
The
climate of this district is on the whole dry and is characterized by a short
monsoon season and extremes of temperature during the year. The year may be
divided into four seasons. The cold
season from November to March is followed by hot season lasting up to the end
of June. The period from July to
mid-September constitutes the south-west monsoon season. The second half of September and October may
be termed the post monsoon or transition period.
(ii) Temperature and Humidity
Temperature.- There is no
meteorological observatory in the
district. The account which follows is
therefore based on the records of the observatories in the neighbouring
district where similar climatic conditions prevail. From about the beginning of March
temperatures increase rapidly till June which is generally the hottest
month. The mean daily maximum
temperature during June is around 400 C and the mean daily minimum
is 270 C. The heat in summer is intense. On individual days the day temperature may
occasionally exceed 470 or 480 C. Scorching dust laden winds which
below during the hot season render the weather very trying. Afternoon
thundershowers which occur on some days bring
some relief although only temporarily. With the onset of the monsoon by
about the end of June or beginning of July
there is a drop in the day
temperatures but nights are nearly as warm as in June. Due to the increased humidity in the monsoon
air, the weather is oppressive in between the rains. After the withdrawal of the monsoon by about
the middle of September there is a decrease in temperatures, the drop in the
night temperatures being more rapid.
After October both the day and night temperature decrease rapidly and
the sharp fall in temperature after nightfall is particularly trying. January is usually the month with the mean
daily maximum temperature at
_________________________________________________________________________
4
Vide Punjab Government Notification No.2/14/92-RE II (1)/11118 dated
13 August 1992
5
Ibid.
6
Climate of Punjab issued by Government
of India. India Meteorological
Department printed by
Additional Director General of Meteorology
(Research) Pune-1996 pp.
79-83
about 200 C and the
mean daily minimum at about 70 C. In the cold season particularly in January
and February, cold waves in the wake of passing western disturbances affect the
district and the minimum temperature occasionally drops down below the freezing
point.
Humidity.-
During the southwest monsoon season (July to September) the relative humidity
is high, being 75-80 per cent mornings and about 55-65 per cent in the
afternoons. High humidity of more than
70 per cent also prevail during the winter months and December to February. It
is comparatively drier during the rest of the year. April and May contribute the driest part of
the year when in the afternoons the relative humidity is 25 per cent or less.
TABLE 1
Frequency of
Annual Rainfall in the District
(Data 1901-1980)
(Sangrur)
_________________________________________________________________
Rain
in mm No. of years Range in mm
No. of
years
___________________________________________________________
201-300 11 701-800 5
301-400 11 801-900 3
401-500 20 901-1000 1
501-600 11 1001-1100 2
601-700 5 1101-1200 1
__________________________________________________________________
(Data
available for 70 years only)
CHAPTER II
HISTORY
(a) Ancient
History
The
excavations have established that the whole of the Punjab
including the area of the Sangrur District was part of the Indus Valley
Civilization during the early period of history. The remains of the Indus Valley Civilization
have been found extensively at two sites viz.
Harappa and Mohanjodaro (now in Pakistan). The
recent excavation carried out by the
Archaeological Department, Punjab, at
the various places of Malerkotla Tahsil depicts that the district is quite rich
in ancient history. Almost all the
excavated places fall in Malerkotla Tahsil of the district.. The important sites so far excavated in the
district are given below:
1
Rohira
2
Bahwa
3
Bhasaur
4
Bhudan
5
Jandali
6
Mahorana
7
Maholi
8
Kalian
9
Mohammadpur
(b)
Medieval Period
1000-1012
During the last quarter of the 10th Century,
Raja Jaipal rules over Punjab
including the present area of Sangrur District. His capital was at Bathinda.
During the Sultanate period, Sunam had strategic position and it was on the
main route to Delhi.. Balban’s cousin Sher Khan was in charge of
the Governorship of Sunam. He was very
energetic Governor who successfully repulsed many incursions of Mongols
King.Jala-ud-Din was the
First Sultan of
the Khilzi Dynasty.
1292 During the
reign of Jalal-ud-din Khilzi, at least 100,000 Mongols, strong invaded Punjab in 1292, reached Sunam but were defeated. He
successfully dealt with Mongols, who made several incursions into Punjab during the last quarter of the 13th
Century. During his reign, Akhur Beg was the Governor of Sunam.
1337 Muhammad-Bin-Tughluq
passed through Sunam on way to an
9
expedition against Nagar Kot.
1343 Rebellion occurred in
Sunam and Samana (Patiala District)
Muhammad-Bin-Tugluq under took an expedition to these places and
defeated the chiefs- Jat Rajputs and Bhatti Rajputs. He brought them to Delhi and were forced to
embrace Islam.
1526-1708 Under the Mughals,
Punjab formed important province of their
empire with successful governors as head of administration. Sunam and Sirhind were the important province
during the Mughal Rule and most of the area of the Sangrur fell under them. The total reversal of his secular policy
during the time of Aurangzeb, led to the downfall of the Empire. The Sikhs under Banda Bahadur from Majha and
Doaba came in large number, to take revenge on Wazir Khan, the Faujdar of
Sirhind who was mainly responsible for the endless sufferings to the Guru
Gobind Singh and his sons. The Phulkian Chiefs, who succeeded in
establishing political power in
Cis-Satluj Punjab did not give much physicial
assistance to Banda Bahadur, but
they give much liberal financial assistance to him for fighting against Mughal
Rule .
1710 In the battle
of Chhaper Chiri (near Sirhind) Mohammad Khan and Khwaja Ali of Malerkotla who
were assisting Wazir Khan, the Governor of Sirhind were killed.
1761 Ahmed Shah Abdali, during the Fifth
Afghan invasion in 1761, after defeating
Marathas at Panipat, fell on upon Ala Singh of Patiala Who had sold provisions
to the Marathas at Panipat. He sacked
Barnala, terrified Ala Singh and compelled him to pay tribute. Ala Singh could barely save himself from
excommunication by pleading Jassa Singh Ahluwalia.
1762 After
reoccupying Lahore
and receiving intelligence that great number of Sikhs moved southward, Ahmed
Shah Abdali immediately set out in the pursuit.
It was an unequal fight. He
caught up with the Sikhs at the village
of Kup (near
Malerkotla). Sikhs soldiers put their
woman and children in the centre and moved down like a living fortress from Kup
to Barnala where they expected Ala Singh of Patiala coming to their rescue, Afghan took a heavy toll of
life. This holocaust is called vada
Ghalughara in which a large number of Sikhs were killed. Thereafter, Ahmed Shah Abdali reached Barnala and pillaged its surrounding and
burnt down the town. Ala Singh escaped
but later on he was taken prisoner.
With the intercession of Shah Wali Khan, the grand wazir of
Durrani-Najib-ud-Daula, the Rohilla chief, his life was spared on producing his
allegiance and paying tribute of five lakh
rupees and another amount of one
and a quarter lakh to appear
before the Shah with long hair and beard unshaven. Rani Fattu, wife of Ala Singh also paid the
invader another sum of rupees 4 lakhs to secure the release of her husband. Besides, the Shah himself was said to have
been impressed much with the mainly department of Ala Singh. He conferred a
rich khilat upon him and dispatched a firman to the Sirhind
Governor to restore his jagirs.
The title of Raja was also conferred upon him and after promising a
tribute, Ala Singh secured his release and struck a coin bearing Shah’s name as the bestowar of the kingdom .
1763
Sikhs sacked Malerkotla and slew its Nawab Hingom Khan. The confederate
Sikhs captured the Sirhind
Town from the Governor
under Ahmed Singh Abdali. Prior to
that the ancestors of phulkian families
were only rural notables. Phulkian State of
Jind. Patiala
and Nabha were established.
1766 In this year Raja Gajpat Singh made the Jind town as his capital.
1772
In 1772 Raja Gajpat Singh got the title of Raja.
1773
Raja Gajpat Singh attacked Amloh, Bhadson and Sangrur,
which were Nahba territories in
consequence of a quarrel with the Raja of Nabha. When Raja of Patiala compelled
him, he relinquished Amloh and Bhadson but retained Sangrur, Since then it
became part of Jind State..
1774
Delhi Emperor made an attempt to recover Jind but the
attack was repulsed with the help of the other two Phulkian States. The marriage of Sardar Mahan Singh, Sukerchakya was celebrated with Raj Kaur, the daughter of
Raja Gajpat Singh at Badrukhan.
1775
Raja Gajpat Singh joined the Raja of Patiala to attack
Rohtak, but was repulsed by the Mughal Army.
1780
Raja Gajpat Singh and Raja of Patiala marched to Meerut but was again
defeated. Raja Gajpat Singh was taken as
prisoner and his release was secured by paying a heavy ransom. Birth of
Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Badrukhan on 13 November 1780.
1786
Death of Gajpat Singh in 1786 at Safidon. Two sons Bhag Singh and Bhup Singh succeeded
him. Bhag Singh inherited the title of Raja with the territories of Jind and
Safidon and Bhup Singh obtained Badrukhan.
1803
Raja Bhag Singh was obliged to surrender his
possessions of west of Yamuna treaty of 30 December 1803.
1806
Raja Bhag Singh received from Maharaja Ranjit Singh the
estates of Ludhiana consisting of 24 villages worth Rs 15,380 a year; 24
villages from Jandiala from the same family worth Rs 4,370, 2 villages of Kot and 2 of Jagraon, worth of Rs 2,000 a year, all taken
from Rani of Rai Alyas of the Mohammadan Rajput family of Raikot, while from
the widow of Miah Ghos he acquired 2 villages of the Basia District.
1807
3 villages of Ghungrana conquered from Gujar Singh of
Raipur, 27 villages of Morinda in Sirhind, conquered from the son of Dharam
Singh and altogether worth Rs 19,255 a year.
British Period
1809 A delegation
consisting of the Raja of Jind, Bhag Singh, Bhai Lal Singh of Kaithal and Diwan of Patiala, Sardar Chain
Singh and the confidential agent of Nabha. Ghulam Hussain presented their
memorandum to the British Resident on 1 April 1809 to pledge their loyalty to every succeeding
power in Delhi
and sought protection of the British.
On 25 April 1809 the British
made a treaty with Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
According to this treaty the Maharaja Ranjit Singh agreed not to carry
his military exploits in the Cis-Satluj territories.
The British
took the area of Ludhiana
from Raja Bhag Singh and made there a permanent cantonment in order to defend
the Cis-Satluj States.
1811
The British issued another proclamation on 22 August
1811 to protect the Cis-Satluj States against each other because they tried to
demolish rob each other.
1819
Death of Raja Bhag Singh in 1819. Fateh Singh became the next ruler of Jind State.
1822
Fateh Singh died in 1822, at the age of 33, leaving one
son, Sangat Singh.
The
installation ceremony of Sangat Singh took place on 30 July 1822
at Jind in the presence of all the Phulkian Chiefs.
1827
Raja
Sangat Singh shifted the headquarters from Jind to Sangrur in 1827.
1834
Death of Raja
Sangat Singh without a heir to succeed.
1837
Raja Sarup Singh installed in April 1837 in the
presence of all the Phulkian Chiefs and the British Agent.
1849
Raja Sarup Singh offered to lead his troops in person
to Lahore to
join the English Army during the Second World War.
1857
During the mutiny in May 1857, Raja Sarup Singh not only
rendered assistance to the British Government, but he himself controlled the
Karnal Cantonment with his 800 men. He
also led his troops in the battle of Alipur.
The services of the Raja were duly appreciated by the British . Thirteen
villages vere also ceded to the Raja in perpetuity and a house at Delhi. Like other Phulkian Chiefs, his salute was
raised to 11 guns.
1863
Raja Sarup Singh had been nominated against Grand
Commander of the Star of India in August 1863.
1864
Death of Raja Sarup Singh and his son Raghbir Singh
succeeded him.
Raja
Raghbir Singh installed on 31
March 1864, in the presence of Sir Herbert Edwards, the agent of
the Lt Governor, the Maharaja of Patiala, the Raja of
Nabha, the Nawab of Malerkotla and many other chiefs.
1872
Raja Raghbir Singh sent two guns, a troop of horses,
two companies of infantry to Malerkotla to suppress the Kuka Movement on the
request of the Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana.
1878
During second Afghan war in 1878. Raja of Jind sent a contingent of 500 sepoys,
200 sawars with a large staff and 2 guns to assist the British. In reward, he got the honorary title of
Raja-I-Rajan.
1879
His grandson Ranbir Singh, who was born in 1879 was
only a minor. At this time, he was only
eight years old. A council of Regency
was appointed to carry on the administration during his minority. The force along with equipment of Raja,
reached at Thal in 1879 and rendered valuable service there.
1882
During Egyptian war in 1882, the Raja of Jind offered
to help the British with troops and ammunition but his offer was declined.
1887
Death of Raja Raghbir Singh. His only son Balbir Singh had died during
his lifetime.
1899
Ranbir Singh got full powers in November 1899, when he
became major.
Udham Singh was born on 26 December 1899 at Sunam.
1915
The Ghadarites being short of funds had to recourse to
dacoities. One such dacoity was
committed on 29 January 1915
in a village (Thanvi) in the then Malerkotla
State. The Ghadarites were to equip themselves with
bomb and hand grenades. One such bomb
factory was set up at Lohat Badi
(Malerkotla Tahsil).
1930
Sewa Singh Thikriwala, popularly known as `Kirpan
Bahadur` was the real Hero of the Punjab Riasti Praja Mandal ` who belonged to
Tahsil Anahadgarh, now called Barnala, was arrested for the first time in this
year.
Death of Sewa Singh Thikriwala in Jail.
Meeting of the Kisan
Movement was held in village Laungowal in Sangrur District. Hira Singh Bhathal, with his wife and others
reached Laungowal to join the conference, but they were forced to leave the
village.
Karam
Singh Mann, Bar-at-Law, Lahore,
who was elected to preside over the conference, reached Laungowal alongwith
others
.1938 Netaji
Subhas Chander Bose, while going from Lahore
to Hisar in a train, inspired the
people of this area for revolution. He
made short but inflammatory speeches at stations, when the train halted for
sometime. Such speeches were delivered
at Dhuri, Sangrur, Sunam and Lehraghagga in the district.
.
Praja
Mandal workers forming committee at
district and tahsil level, particularly in Sunam by 1939, there were 866
members of the Kisan Committee, out of which 782 were in Sunam and 65 in
Barnala in the Sangrur District.
.1940 Sir
Micheal O`Dwyer was shot dead on 13 March 1960 by Udham Singh.
Udham Singh was hanged on 31 July 1940.
1942
The
District Magistrate, Sunam, issued notices in
connection with the banning of the communist conference at Ugrahan.
1948
The
eight princely states of Patiala, Jind, Nabha, Faridkot, Kapurthala,
Malerkotla, Nalagarh and Kalsia were merged together to form the Patiala and
East Punjab States Union (PEPSU) and made into eight Districts namely, Patiala,
Sangrur, Bathinda, Kapurthala, Mahendergarh, Kohistan, Barnala and Fategharh
Sahib.
1974
The remains of great martyr Shahid Udham Singh were
brought to Sunam, his home town on 31 March 1974 from England and were finally cremated
with full state honour. In order to pay
the deepest homage to Shahid Udham Singh, a memorial has also been raised at
Sunam.
Malerkotla
1515
Death of Sadr Jahan leaving behind three sons Issa,
Hassan and Musa.
1545
Mohammad Shah died leaving three sons of whom the
eldest Khawaja Mauded succeeded.
1656 Fateh Muhammad Khan son of
Khawaja enlarged his family estates and founded kotla near Maler.
1657
He
frequented Delhi
court and received from the Emperor Aurangazeb, the paraganas of Kadrabad and
Nawangon in Jagir.
1659 Fateh Mohammad
Khan died. The eldest son Firoz Khan
succeeded him as Rais.
1672
Firoz Khan died in 1672. His
eldest son Sher Mohammad Khan was a prominent General of his time
succeeded him.
1710
Sher Muhammad Khan was killed in the battle of Chapper
Chiri (Near Sirhind) in which Banda Bahadur routed the forces of the Subah of
Sirhind.
1712 Sher Mohammad Khan
died. He was succeeded by Ghulam Hussain Khan. Thereafter he was succeeded by Jamal
Khan. .
1762
Jamal Khan left five sons, the eldest of whom Bhikhan Khan became Rais.
1763
Bhikhan Khan joined hands with the
Subah of Sirhind. But the Subah was
defeated at Harnaulgarh. Jassa Singh Ahluwalia slew Bhikhan Khan in an action.
Bhikhan Khan
left two sons, Wazir Khan and Fateh Khan who were infants, Bahadur Khan, a
brother of Bhikhan Khan succeeded him.
1766
Bahadur Khan was killed in an engagement with the Sikhs
in Jhal. He was succeeded by Umar Khan
the eldest surviving brother of Jamal Khan.
1782
Death of Umar Khan, Ata-Ullah-Khan the eldest of five sons of Jamal Khan succeeded him.
1788 The Afghan of Malerkotla assisted
Lord Lake in defeating the Marathas.
1794
Sahib Singh Bedi of Una, a benefactor of the Sikhs
attacked Malerkotla but with the intervention of Raja of Patiala he retreated.
1808
Maharaja Ranjit Singh demanded one and a half lakh of
rupees from the Khan of Kotla. On his
inability to pay the full amount, he deputed the Tahsildars and Thanedars to
realise the balance.
1810 Malerkotla came
under protectorate of the British who reinstated the dispossessed Chief of
Malerkotla and the staff of Maharaja was asked to go.
1814
Wazir Khan assisted the British in the Gorkha War.
1821
Wazir Khan died in 1821 and succeeded by his son
Amir Khan.
1839 Amir Khan
rendered assistance to the British in 1839 in the Kabul War
popularly known as First Afghan War.
.
1845
During the first Anglo Sikhs War, he fought on the side
of British at Mudki and Firozshah. In recognition of his service, he was awarded
the title of Nawab and Jagir of three
villages.
1846
Amir Khan passed away in 1846. He was succeeded by his son Mehboob Ali Khan
better known as Sube Khan.
1857
Sube Khan aided with the Birtish during the mutiny of
1857.
1859
Sher Khan died in 1859 and his son Sikander Ali Khan succeded him. Sikander Ali Khan`s sons died young. On this Sikhander Ali Khan nominated Ibrahim
Ali Khan the eldest son of Dilawar Ali Khan as his heir.
1869
Nawab Sikhander Ali Khan attended Viceregal Durbar in
1869 held in honour of Amir Sher Ali Khan of Kabul.
1871
Sikander Ali Khan died in 1871. Ibrahim Khan was succeeded him at the age of 14. During his reign Kuka Movement took place.
1877
Ibrahim Ali Khan attended imperial assemblage at Delhi
in 1877.
1880
He attended Viceregal Durbar held at Lahore.
1882
He again
attended Viceregal Durbar held at Rupnagar
District.
1884 Untimely death
of his eldest son Sahibzada Ashiq Ali Khan and
his wife disturbed his mind and he withdrew from the worldly affairs. The State was put under the management of
some superintendents appointed by the Government and this arrangement continued
up to 1903.
1903
Sahibzada Ahmed Ali Khan took charge of the affair of
the State.
1905 Sahibzada Ahmed Ali
Khan attended the Darbar at Lahore
in 1905.He married the cousin of the Nawab of Rampur.
1906
Lord Minto, Viceroy and Governor General of India
visited Malerkotla State
on 20 November 1906.
1908
Nawab Ahmed Ali Khan passed away in 1908.
1911
Muhammad Ahmed Ali Khan became the Nawab of Malerkotla.
1947
Nawab Muhammed Ali Khan passed away on 18 October 1947 and Nawab
Aftikhr Ali Khan became the Nawab of Malerkotla.
1982
Dealth of Nawab Muhammad Iftikhar Ali Khan of
Malerkotla on 20 November
1982. He died issueless.
