Punjab leads by example. A hearty and robust attitude to life and work has dulled
the pains of Partition. Green fields, fields ripe with corn, tractors busy with
work; Punjab presents a pretty picture of a prosperous farm life. The Punjabis'
work ethic is indistinguishable from his religion. He brings to his work the
passion of a devotee and worships his gurus with the energy he ploughs his
fields. The most distinctive Punjabis are the Sikhs with their martial
identity.
While in Punjab, head for Amritsar and the Golden Temple, which is the most
revered temple for the Sikhs. Other noteworthy stops are the Durhiana Temple, a
Hindu shrine with features resembling the Golden Temple's; the Rambagh Gardens,
a prince's summer palace now a museum; and Jallianwala
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Bagh, a national monument honouring the martyrs of India's freedom movement.
Patiala has several attractions worth a look. Visit the Moti Bagh Palace with
its mirror-studded Shesh Mahal and fine collection of miniature paintings.
Capital: Chandigarh is the capital of Punjab and the language spoken is
Punjabi. It is a typically north Indian city with an interest in Delhi: every
family has one family member either working in the capital or atleast a married
daughter staying in Delhi. People in Chandigarh lead disciplined lives. Unlike
its more industrial neighbours like Ludhiana, it's a service-oriented culture
here. Chandigarh, is on the whole, a clean, educated and corporate place.
History: The area entered recorded history with the annexation of Punjab and
Sindh to the Persian Empire by Darius I (c. 518 BC). Punjab subsequently came
under various Muslim rulers until the victorious entry of the Mughals in 1526.
Under the Mughals the province enjoyed peace and prosperity for more than 200
years. Punjab came under British occupation in 1849, after the British victory
over the Sikhs. When the Indian subcontinent received its independence in 1947,
Punjab was split between Pakistan and India, with the larger western portion
becoming part of Pakistan. The present provincial boundaries were established
in 1970.
The People: The determined industrialization of the state has moved the people
from their farms to businesses of transport and motor accessories. But by and
large Punjab remains a land of large farms, robust food and an animal zest for
life. Even today, the family is the epicenter of their lives, with generations
sitting down together for the evening meal.
Culture: The genius of Punjabis finds expression in love stories, lusty
dancing, and humour. Most popular Punjabi dances are: Bhangra, Giddha, Jhumar,
Luddi, Dankara Julli, Sammi, Dhamal, Jaago, Kikli and Gatka. The mirasis
(professional wits), naqalias (mummers), and domanis (female singer-actresses)
are professional performers belonging to the lower classes. They exploit all
the tricks of exaggeration, absurdity, malapropism, comic gags, and lewd
references.
Occupation: The economy of Punjab is characterized by a productive,
increasingly commercial agriculture, a diversity of small- and medium-scale
industries, and the highest per capita income in the nation. Wheat and cotton
are the principal crops. Live- stock and poultry are also raised in large
numbers. Industries with the largest number of workers include cotton, woollen
and silk textiles, metal products and machinery, food and beverages, and
transport equipment and parts. Others: hosiery, bicycles, sewing machines, and
sporting goods.
Handicrafts: Weaving of durries (cotton bed or floor spreads) in myriad motifs
and designs especially by young girls in the villages has been a long tradition
in Punjab. Needlework of
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Punjab is unique.Baghs, Phulkaris, rumals and scarves are intricately designed
in rich traditional patterns and motifs. The woodwork of Punjab has also been
traditionally famous. Artistic beds with comfortable, skillfully made back
rests fitted with mirrors and carved colourful legs called Pawas, low seats
called Peeras, Peerian were made by the carpenters in almost every village.
Furniture designed with inlay ivory work, coloured mirror and engraved woodwork
is also exported to different countries.
CLIMATE: Climatically the state has three major seasons. Hot weather ( April to
June) when the mercury shoots up to as high as 110 F. Rainy season is from July
to September. The average rainfall annual ranges between 96 cms in the
sub-mountain region and 58 cms in the plains. Winter months are October to
March when the temperature dips to as low as 40F. October to March is the best
season to visit.
Population: 22 million
Festivals: Holla Mohalla during March-April at Anandpur Sahib; Bawan Doadsi is
celebrated 18 days after Krishna Janmastami at Patiala; Jor Mela at Sirhind;
Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan is organised every year in last week of December at
Jalandhar; Baisakhi in April; Lohri, another seasonal festival in mid-January.
Other feasts to mark anniversaries of the 10 Gurus are also observed.