Jalandhar :

Jalandhar along with Multan is the oldest surviving city of the Trigarta Empire (Punjab region) of Katoch Rulers, with reference in history as far back as A.D. 100.[2] The Jalandhar Doab (the region surrounding the city between Beas and Sutlej rivers) also marked the eastern most territory of the empire of Alexander the Great. He erected giant altars in this area to mark the eastern most extent of his empire and also founded a city named Alexandria in the vicinity and left many Macedonian veterans there.



In the 7th Century, when the famous Chinese traveler and pilgrim Hiuen Tsang visited India during the reign of Harsha Vardhana, the Kingdom of Jalandhara or Trigarta was under the rule of Raja Utito (whom Alexender Cunningham identifies with the Rajput Raja Attar Chand of the Katoch dynasty). The kingdom was said to have extended 167 miles (269 km) from east to west and 133 miles (214 km) from north to south, thus including the hill states of Chamba, Mandi and Suket (Himachal Pradesh) and Satadru or Sirhind in the plains. The city proper of Jalandhar was, when visited by Hiuen Tsiang, a large city, miles in circuit, and functioned as the capital of a Rajput kingdom.[3] Raja Utito was a tributary of Harsh Vardhana. The Rajput Rajas appear to have continued to rule over the country right up to the 12th century, with occasional interruptions, but their capital was Jalandhar and Kangra formed an important stronghold. 

According to the Chinese pilgrim Fa Hien, who traveled India between 399 and 411 C.E., there were a great many Viharas of Buddhism in India. In the Jalandhar Doab, there were as many as 50 Viharas of Buddhism. The Buddhist religion was adopted by a large number of people. As per some historians and scholars the fourth Buddhist Council out of total six Buddhist Councils took place in Jalandhar in the first century AD during the reign of King Kanishka. The fourth council of Mahayana Buddhism took place here, and placed Buddha as a God at the council.[4] 

Jalandhar became the seat of Nath movement from 8th to 10th century AD, one of its greatest saint was Jalandhar Nath, whose samadhi later became the site of the existing shrine of Imam Nasir-ud-din Chishti in the fifteenth century.[5] From the later half of the tenth century up to AD 1019, the district was included in the Shahi Kingdom of the Punjab and Jalandhar was an important city in the region. In about 1188 it fell to the control of Ibrahim Shah of Ghor.[2] Under the Mughals Jalandhar was the capital of a sarkar.[3] 

In 1758 Maharaja Ghamand Chand of the Katoch dynasty was made the (first ever Rajput) Nizam of Jalandhar by the Durranis. Many Rajputs lived in and around the surrounding areas of Jalandhar before the partition in 1947. With the partition of the country, many like the Manj and Rawal Rajputs went to settle in the Pakistan side of the Punjab, whilst some went to other countries. 

Jalandhar was captured by the Sikhs in 1757[citation needed] and captured by the Faizullahpuria confederacy in 1766. Ranjit Singh annexed it in 1811, and in 1846 Jalandhar became the headquarters of the territory acquired by the British after the first First Anglo-Sikh Wars.[3] During British rule Jalandhar became the headquarters, of the Division and District of the same name. According to the 1901 census, the population of the town was 67,535 of whom 14,715 were Hindus, 40,081 Muslim, 901 Sikhs, and 1,543 Christians.[3] In 1947 with the independence and partition of India the Muslim population left for Pakistan while Hindus and Sikhs arrived from the other direction.



Important  



Jalandhar, formerly Jullundhar is an ancient city in Punjab located 80 km away from Amritsar. Ruled by the Hindus and the Mughals in succession it is believed to be the oldest city in Punjab. Jalandhar today is a highly industrialized centre being India's foremost producer of world class sports equipments. The city also has






the distinction of producing some of the best sportsmen in the country. Its satellite towns; Phagwara is famous for cloth manufacturing and drapery shops and Kartarpur is one of the biggest exporters of quality furniture.



**Places  in Jalandhar **



Pushpa Gujral Science City is the largest and the second Science City in India. Located on Jalandhar-Kapurthala road in an area of 72 acres, it is named after the mother of former Prime Minister of India Shri I.K. Gujral. It is built with the aim of learning, fun & amusement out of Science for people of all ages & all walks of life. The biggest project of its kind in Northern India,  Pushpa Gujral Science City is far more than being just a Museum or a Theme Park.



 It is a blend of fun, curiosity and education to ensure longer and repeated visits. An 18-foot-high eye-catching model of dinosaur, a GSLV missile and a globe made out of tiny 26 lakh colourful tiles present an awesome view from outside. A kids park equipped with swings, bouncers and other rides is for the kids to enjoy, while helping them to learn various principles pertaining to physics. A health gallery has also been set up in which various exhibits pertaining to biological concepts have been put on display. An artificial lake running throughout the science city has been created to give the visitors the pleasure of pedal boating while enjoying the beauty of various marvels of science








Kartarpur Gurudwara

 located 16km from Jalandhar is famous for its Gurudwara built by the Fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjun Devji in 1656 A.D. A fair is held every year on his birth anniversary. 

 Large number of devotees attend the fair. There is a Smarak here for Swami Virjanad who was the teacher of Swami Dayanand Saraswathi; the founder of Arya Samaj.  Kartarpur is also famous for its furniture industry.






Moorish Mosque

 The mosque is situated in Kapurthala about 21 km from Jalandhar. The mosque was built in 1930 by a French architect Manteaux, during the reign of Jagatjit Singh, the last Maharaja of Kapurthala.  The design resembles that of the great Qutbiya Mosque, at Marakesh in Morocco. The inner dome of the mosque have designs by the artists of the Mayo School of Arts, Lahore.



Panch  Mandir This architecturally beautiful temple is located 21 km from Jalandhar in Kapurthala town. The mandir, the most striking monument in the town was built by Fateh Singh Ahluwaliah, the founder of the Kapurthala State. The main dome in the center is  surrounded by several smaller temples dedicated to different deities.



Handira Mausoleum is situated in Sultanpur Lodhi in  Kapurthala district 36km from Jalandhar. This fine monument, on the banks of the river Kali Bein is built on an octagonal plan with four gates in cardinal directions. Its drumless squattish dome, broad pointed arches and open arched Jharokas (an ornamental sitting place jutting of the walls) add dignity to its austere design. 



Gurudwara Ber Sahib  is situated in Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district, 36km from Jalandhar. This is the place where the first prophet Guru Nanak got enlightenment and created 'Sukhmani Sahib' while taking bath in the river Kali Bein. It was from Sultanpur Lodhi that Guru Nanak embarked on his long preaching odysseys called 'Udasis' in the Sikh tradition. 



Masoleums of Ustad and Shagird Two beautiful 17th century tombs are situated in Nakodar. One of them belongs to Ustad (teacher) Mohammed Momin Hussaini alias Hafizah, a musician in the service of 'Khan-e-Khana'- the chamberlain of Emperor Jahangir. The other tomb belongs to Haji Jamal, his disciple. The mausoleums are similar in architecture to Emperor Humayun's tomb in Delhi and stand out as buildings of great attraction.



Serai Nurmahal Nurmahal, a small town around 13 km from Nakodar is  associated with Nurjahan, wife of Emperor Jahangir, known for her beauty and style of living. Mughal Serai alias Serai Nurmahal, said to be constructed for Nurjahan, is a remarkable specimen of oriental architecture. Its massive gate embellished with arches, filigree work and tiles of beautiful patterns, topped by 4 delicate minarets make it a place worth a visit.


Shaheed-E-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Museum has been constructed to pay homage to the great revolutionary martyrs of the Punjab, who laid down their lives for the liberation of their motherland. The museum was inaugurated on the 50th martyrdom anniversary of the great Martyr Sardar Bhagat Singh. Situated about 55 kilometers from Jalandhar, at Khatkar Kalan, on Nawanshahar-Banga road, the museum displays the memorable belongings of the revolutionary martyrs of the Punjab. The half burnt ashes of Sardar Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev including the blood soaked sand and blood stained newspaper in which their ashes were wrapped are preserved and exhibited here.