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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 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 of Punjab: 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 of Punjab: 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 Punjabi 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 of Punjab: 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 in Punjab: 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.
CLIMATE OF PUNJAB: 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 of Punjab: 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.
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