Ambala

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Ambala (Hindi: अंबाला) is a city located on the border of the states of Haryana and Punjab in India. Politically and geographically Ambala has two sub-areas: Ambala Cantt (cantonment) and Ambala City, a few kilometers apart from each other. It has a large army and air-force base within the confines of its cantonment area. Due to its geographical location, the Ambala District plays an important role in local tourism. It is the main entry to Haryana for the tourists of Punjab, Himachal, Jammu and Kashmir and the union territory Chandigarh; and vice-versa.

Though Ambala falls in the Haryana state, most of the population is Punjabi. The overwhelming majority of Ambala's population are Punjabi speaking. But, with the course of time, Ambala has been successful in building an identity of its own, and securing a place in some of the fast developing cities of Haryana.

[edit] History

As per ancient Indian history, Aryan people had resided at Ambala at some point in time and during the middle century, there was a very popular place called Sarudhna near Ambala, which was the country's capital at that time. Ambala was given the status of a district during British rule, in the year 1847.

[edit] Origins of the Name

There are quite a few interesting beliefs about the origin of Ambala:

• It was found by King Mrityunjay Singh Amb Rajput, in the 14th century, and thus the name.
• It was named after the goddess "AMBA" whose temple is located in the city.
• Ambala was originally called "Ambwala", Amb meaning mango in the native language (so, Village of Mangoes)

[edit] Location

Ambala is a major junction in northern India after the national capital Delhi. G.T. Road (NH-1, National Highway 1) passes through Ambala Cantt. Situated about 200 km north of Delhi, this town is extremely well connected by the rail and road network.

[edit] Industry and Business

Ambala Cantt is known for its scientific & surgical instruments manufacturing industry. The clientele of this industry includes an impressive list of prestigious colleges of India in addition to overseas clients.

Ambala district has industries in metal casting, kitchen mixer grinder manufacturing, and submersible motor pump manufacturing. It is also famous for its wholesale cloth market, which sells one of the best cloths in the region and at the cheapest prices.

The scientific industry is also majorily known for its microscopes. N.K. Jain Instruments Pvt. Ltd., is the best known brand for microscopes in India, is headquartered in Ambala.

[edit] Education

Within the last decade, Ambala has seen the opening of some fine schools and colleges that impart modern education. Schools include: Army School, P.K.R.Jain Vatika, school with computer aided teaching and Convent of Jesus and Mary, S.A Jain senior Model school, Air Force School, S.A.Jain Girls School, Bhartiya Public School, K.Vs, SD Public School(all in Ambala Cantt) and DAV Public School. Ambala City has been known for their academic results in Tenth and Twelfth Class CBSE Board examinations. Boarding Schools like Chaman Vatika and Springfield Public School have also opened recently.Its hardworking and efficient staff [Mrs. Kum Kum Chopra (Eng),Mrs. Usha Sharma (Eng), Mrs. Neeraj Taneja (Phy), Mr. J. Varghese (Eco), Mr. Harmeet Singh (Maths), Mrs. Nirmal Sharma (Hindi) and etc..] has been the key reason for this achievement. The school has been known for its great disciplinarian nature and also for it academics merged with extra curricullar activities

In Ambala City there are two Polytechnics: Government Polytechnic which is coeducational, and Government Polytechnic for Women. Both of them provide Haryana Government Recognised Diploma and come under the Directorate of Technical Education, Haryana.

The opening of Medical and Engineering Colleges in and around Ambala have made it a hot-spot for students throughout Haryana. Ambala boasts of having one of the four medical colleges in the state. This Medical College comes under MMEC [1]. MMEC hosts many courses, both in Engineering and Bio-Sciences. Another Engineering College in Ambala is ACE, Ambala College of Engineering & applied research.Also one among the nearest Engineering College from Ambala City is "Punjab College Of Engineering And Technology" which is just 21 KM from Ambala Cantt Station. [2].

Other colleges in Ambala are S.D.College, G.M.N. College, Government Post Graduate College, in Ambala Cantt, D.A.V.College, S.A.Jain College [3]in Ambala City. S.D.College ranks among the best in the region. Shri Atmanand Jain Institute of Management & Technology (AIMT) which is located in Ambala City, is one of the premier institutes in Haryana. It offers two courses MCA (Master of Computer Application) & MBA (Master of Business Administration)[4].

Institutions apart, Ambala is a home to a famous few who have made their mark in the field of education like Mr.K. L. Gomber and Mr. K. L. Gogia. (Authors of Fundamental Physics)

[edit] Places of interest in Ambala

There are many shrines in and around Ambala City, including Bhawani Amba Temple (named after the goddess Bhawani). Ambala is home to many Gurdwaras (Sikh temples), some of which have historical importance. The Badshahi Bag Gurudwara, Sis Ganj Gurudwara, Manji Sahib Gurudwara, Labhuwala Talaah, and Sangat Sahib Gurdwara are the historical gurudwaras here. These are associated with Guru Gobind Singh, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Hargobind respectively. There are also the popular Muslim shrines of Lakhi Shah and Taqwal Shah, Saint Paul's Church and a British, Christian cemetery. Patel Park in Ambala Cantt and City Park in Ambala City have beautiful gardens. You can also visit the recently created Subhash Chandra Bose Park in Subhash Colony, Ambala Cantt.

[edit] Naraingarh

Naraingarh is the headquarters of one of Ambala's sub districts. It was founded by the king of Sirmor (Himachal Pradesh), Raja Laxmi Narayan. After the decline of the Mughal empire, the king of Sirmor built a palace in Kulshan and named it Naraingarh. It is around 30km from Ambala Cantt.

[edit] Restaurants and Hotels

Due to its strategic position, the last five years have seen the mushrooming of numerous eateries in Ambala. The oldest and the most famous is the Puran Singh ka Dhaba, on the GT Road. Other popular joints are Maharaja Dhaba, Choupal, Party Line out door caterers <ref>Rama Building, Ambala Cantt Ph 9896091616 (M)</ref>, The USA Gardens, Food Court, Drive in 22 Resorts, RGs, Bikaner Sweets, Sharma Bhojnalya, Jain Soda Water and Baithak and Standard Restaurant (oldest of all estb 1937) as well as the everamazing DELUXE Restaurant and Sagar Ratnam. Two shopping Malls are also coming up, each in Ambala Cantt and City. Big Bazar, which is one of the best shopping maals in India is also located in Ambala Cantt. Galaxy Mall and Multiplex which is under construction in Ambala City will also be a good attraction.

[edit] Places of interest around Ambala

• Chandigarh is a 45 km (45 minutes drive) from Ambala.
• Kalka is situated on the national highway Ambala-Shimla.
• Panchkula is a newly built city on the Ambala-Kalka national highway and Ambala-Kalka railway line near Chandigarh.
• Pinjore is a religiously historical local.
• Kurukshetra (it is said that the battle of MAHABHARATA was fought here) is also just 45 minutes drive from Ambala Cantt.

Bookstores

• Oxford BookstoreRajan

[edit] District Administration

• The Deputy Commissioner, an officer belonging to the Indian Administrative Service, is the overall in-charge of the General Administration in the district. He is assisted by a number of officers belonging to Haryana Civil Service and other Haryana state services.

• The Superintendent of Police, an officer belonging to the Indian Police Service, is responsible for maintaining Law & Order and related issues in the district. He is assisted by the officers of the Haryana Police Service and other Haryana Police officials.

• The Deputy Conservator of Forests, an officer belonging to the Indian Forest Service, is responsible for the management of the Forests, Environment and Wild-Life in the district. He is assisted by the officers of the Haryana Forest Service and other Haryana Forest officials and Haryana Wild-Life officials.

• Sectoral development is looked after by the district head/officer of each development department such as PWD, Health, Education, Agriculture, Animal husbandry, etc. These officers are from various Haryana state services.

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