Punjab Map

About Punjab Map

This Punjab map highlights the Punjab districts boundaries, District Capital and Chandigarh (Punjab State Capital). All Major Punjab districts like Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Bathinda, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and others are shown in this Punjab district map. Neighboring states to Punjab are Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir and the international border of Pakistan. This map of Punjab is useful to know the geographical area and major headquarter of every district of Punjab.

Districts of Punjab

About Punjab

Punjab, a state in northern India, is known for its rich culture, extensive agricultural production, and high standard of living. It covers an area of approx 50,362 square kilometers (19,445 sq mi). It is bounded in the north by Jammu and Kashmir, in the northeast by Himachal Pradesh, in the south and east by Haryana, in the southwest and west by Rajasthan and in the northwest by Chandigarh, which serves as a capital of the state as well as the joint capital of the state with Haryana. The region is known as 'Punjab - The Granary of India' and produces the two main crops of India - wheat and rice.

Geography and Climate of Punjab

The Punjabi region is a vast plain, almost entirely agricultural, with numerous rivers and canals flowing through it, supplying water from the Himalayan mountains. Historically, Punjab was called Panj Ab (Five Waters) after the five great rivers which once flowed through it (Sutlej, Beas, Jhelum (once known as Viravaha), Chenab and Ravi). In the current Indian state of Punjab only three of these rivers, Sutlej, Beas and Ravi flow through the state. These make it one of the most productive agricultural states in India, with some of the most fertile land and most extensive irrigation system.

Punjab has a continental type of climate with very hot summer, cool winter and a wet rainy monsoon season. The climate remains very hot during summer and very cool during winter. The mercury often rises above 45°C (113°F) during summer, while the minimum temperature drops to just above freezing point during winter. The state receives fair amount of rainfall throughout the year. The northern districts receive a heavier rainfall than the southern districts.

History of Punjab

Punjab is one of the major Princely states of India and perhaps has the richest and oldest history of South Asia. The ancient Indus Valley Civilization, the world’s oldest urban culture first emerged in this land. The Mohenjo-Daro, one of the mega cities of that time, stood as a masterpiece of that era. A number of great empires have emerged, ruled and vanished in Punjab. The Mauryas and Guptas of old times, the mighty Mughals, the great Pathans and the remarkable Sikhs are worth mentioning. Out of these, Sikhs are the most distinct and the only indigenous power that have left an imperishable impression on Punjab and India’s history, culture, politics and religion.

Punjab is the birth place of Sikhism, the world famous religion created by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the 15th century. Amritsar, the city of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), is the holiest place of pilgrimage for Sikhs the world over. This state was once the most powerful state in the Indian subcontinent as The Sikh Empire established from the middle of the 18th century. The empire existed until the partition of India in 1947. Its founder and the greatest ruler was the great Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the early 19th century.

India was not the only country where state appropriation played a crucial role in the struggle for freedom from British colonial rule. The partition of India in 1947 and the subsequent division of the state of Punjab between India and Pakistan led to one of the largest mass migrations in history and had profound socio-political consequences for the region.

Economy and Agriculture

Punjab is home to one of the most powerful agricultural economies in India. After the 1960s Green Revolution, Punjab's agriculture has evolved to become one of the largest producers of food grains in the country. The state employs latest farming techniques, utilizes an extensive irrigation system and cultivates high-yielding crops. Wheat, rice, cotton, sugarcane, maize and vegetable are the chief crops grown in the region.

Agriculture is a mainstay of the State's economy and accounts for about a quarter of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). A substantial proportion of the State's work force is employed in this sector and a large percentage of the State's population depends upon agriculture for their livelihood. Punjab has an established canal irrigation system and an extensive agricultural extension network. The State has rapidly developed industrial clusters, the largest of these are in textiles and apparel, sports, cycles, auto parts, two wheelers and micro and small enterprises engaged in food processing etc. These activities are mainly concentrated in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Mohali and Amritsar.

Culture and Traditions of Punjab

Punjab is known globally for its vibrant culture, beautiful music, rich traditions of dance and cuisine and grand festive times. The Folk dances of Punjab are very famous. The Punjabi dances like Bhangra and Giddha are mostly performed during festive times and other celebrations. Punjab has a huge following of its music & cinema all over the world and not only in the country.

Many of these famous festivals are celebrated all over Punjab. Other major festivals like Vaisakhi, Lohri, Gurpurab and Diwali are enthusiastically celebrated by locals throughout the state. The warm hospitality of the local people is famous and the spirit of the community forms the base of Punjab culture.

Tourism in Punjab

Punjab, the land of pure and the life line of India, is also a home of numerous historic sites and Shrines and places of Tourist Attractions in Punjab. As we know that this state has a rich heritage, great struggle for the country and is known for vibrant culture of the State. The Golden Temple in Amritsar is the main and the most famous travel destination of Punjab attracting millions of devotees and tourist from all over the world. Jallianwala Bagh, Wagah Border, Buddhist Heritage of Ladakh, Anandpur Sahib and other sacred places are popular tourist places in Punjab. We are also provided with enormous opportunities to explore Indian Heritage as we can visit palaces like Sheesh Mahal in Patiala and ancient fort of Qila Mubarak in India.

Wagah Border (Pak/Ind) parade is a very popular tourist attraction in India and Pakistan held every day before sunset. Along with this Punjab’s rural tourism, old villages and Fairs & Festival of Punjab provide tourists a glimpse of local way of life and traditions.

Education and Infrastructure in Punjab

Punjab is the best place to start your education from as numbers of general and professional schools & colleges are present here. Many major Indian educational institutions are located here such as Panjab University, Punjab Agricultural University, Lovely Professional University (LPU), Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (Thapar University) etc. With number of roads, railway connections and air transport facilities, the state of Punjab is geographically easily accessible.

In order to progress further, the state government is focusing on development of industry, information technology, health and urbanisation. The city of Mohali, a suburb of Chandigarh in the Chandigarh Tricity, is one of the largest IT and business hubs of northern India.

Importance of Punjab in India

Punjab is a prime agricultural hub and an important location in the map of India. Rich with global culture and heritage, Punjab blends history, faith and fun loving spirit of its incredible people.