| Bathinda | |
| State - District(s) | Punjab (India) - Bathinda |
| Coordinates | |
| Area | |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Population (2001) - Density | 217,389 - ?/km² |
| District Commissioner | Rahul Bhandari |
| Codes - Postal - Telephone - Vehicle | - 151 001 - +91-164 - PB 03 |
Bathinda(Punjabi: ਬਠਿੰਡਾ), also known as Bhatinda, is one of the oldest and most famous cities of Punjab state of northwestern India. Bathinda's cotton and agricultural production is well known. It is developing fast and some of the recent developments are a modern thermal power plant, fertilizer factories, and a massive oil refinery. Known for its fort, Bathinda is one of the oldest towns in the state and has many historical associations. It was again in the jungles of Bathinda that Guru Gobind Singh Ji is reputed to have once challenged and fought the mighty Mughal forces. This town also played a prominent role in freedom struggle of the country and against the autocratic administration of the then Princely rulers.
It is one of the biggest food grain and cotton market in northern India. The area around Bathinda has become a large grape growing area. Bathinda is a leading railway junction. The American International firm Pepsi is processing horticulture products grown here. It is the administrative headquarters of Bathinda District, and is also occasionally referred as the City of Lakes.
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Summer temperatures can be as high as 50 °C (122°F); and winter temperatures as low as 0 °C (32°F). The weather is generally dry but will be highly humid from mid May to end of August due to farmers irrigating the fields[citation needed]. Rainfall is primarily from the southwest, due to the monsoon, and lasts from mid-July to mid-September.
The city of Bathinda is one of the largest railway junctions of northern India and has the highest fan-out(6) of any junction on the Indian Railway network. It also boasts one of the largest military Cantonments of Asia and is known as the Sharjah of Punjab in reference it's sand dunes. Bathinda is located in the Indo-Gangetic alluvial plains. Bathinda also houses two Thermal Plants: Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant in Bathinda City and Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant at Lehra Mohabbat. It is also home to the Guru Gobind Singh Oil Refinery which is currently under construction, a National Fertilizers Plant, Government Rajindra College, an autonomous Engineering College(GZSCET) and a Private Medical College known as the 'Adesh Institute of Medical Research' and Baba Shiri Chand Ji Government College, Sardargarh (Bathinda).
As of 2001 India censusGRIndia, Bathinda had a population of 217,389. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Bathinda has an average literacy rate of 70% (57% male and 43% of female), higher than the national average of 59.5%; 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 50,000,000 BC | Indian continent collides into the Asian continent forming the Himalayan mountains. |
| 500,000 BC | Stone tools such as the hand axe were developed in northern ancient India; artifacts have been found in the modern Bathinda district. |
| 40,000 BC | People begin living in man-made shelter huts in northern Punjab and central Asia (Bactria) |
| 7,000 BC | Evidence of people growing barley in this area and raising sheep, goats. People begin living in mud-brick dwellings in villages; some of which are still in existence. |
| 5,500 BC | Inhabitants learn to make pottery from burnt clay, a technique that is scarce but still alive today. |
| 3,000 BC | Farming villages begin appearing in the Bathinda area, most of which still exist today. |
| 2,600 BC | Farmers in the area make use of the plough; exactly as it is still used in some Bathinda areas today. |
| 1,500 BC | Cities of the area are abandoned but the rural villages thrive and survive; Indo-Aryans arrive in the area. |
| 800 BC | Indo-Aryans spread in the area and begin clear-cutting forests |
| 600 BC | Area inhabitants begin use of elephants in warfare. |
| 125 BC | A Scythian tribe known as Sakas invaded Punjab from Baluchistan and Sind. |
| 15 AD | The Kushan Kingdom was restored in the area. |
It is believed that Rao Bhatti established the modern town of Bathinda in the Lakhi jungle area in the third century, and it was captured from him by the Brars.
Bala Rao Bhatti inhabited this city in 965, naming it Bhatinda after his caste name. The city also remained the capital of Raja Jaipal.
In 1004, Mahmud of Ghazni besieged the local fort, which was located on the route from the northwest into the rich Ganges valley. In 1189, Muhammad Ghori attacked and occupied the fort of Bathinda. Prithvi Raj Chauhan, the ruler of this region, managed to recover the posssesion of the fort 13 months later, in 1191, after a fierce battle.
Razia Sultan, the first female ruler of India, was imprisoned here in April, 1240. She was released in August of that year through the efforts of Altunia, the local governor. Both Altunia and Razia married but were killed by robbers near Kaithal on October 13.
The Sidhu-Brars were thrown out of Bathinda during the Lodhi's rule, but restored to the area by Babur.
A few years later Roop Chand, a staunch Sikh, came onto the scene of Punjab history. Phul, the second son of Roop Chand, started the practice of langar (community kitchen) for the people in the Lakhi jungle area, and built a fort around 1654.
On the day of her marriage to Raja Sada’s son Sidhu on 16th Jyesth 1670, Bibi Surti of Vada Ghar (near Daroli) had the chance to meet Guru Hargobind. Her father Bhai Aqal was disciple of Guru Ramdas ji and Guru Arjan Dev ji. The Guru gave her his blessings and professed that she would give birth to a boy who would be honored by the public and the kings as a Sikh.
As professed, a boy was born on 3-Baisakh and was named “Roop chand’ by Guru Arjan Dev himself. Father Sidhu and son Roop Chand were superintending the harvesting of the crop .It was a very hot day. They had a goat skin bottle hunging from a branch in the shade of the neighbouring tree. Moved by devotion, they dedicated the water as offering to the Guru and refrained from drinking it. Though they were exhausted by the heat, neither gave in to their thirst. Legend has it that the omnipresent Guru Har Gobind was aware of the distress which both suffered on account of their deep devotion to him. Thus the Guru travelled 32 miles on horse back despite the hot day to met both men and drink his fill of water while sharing with his devoted disciples.
The sixth Guru laid the foundation of Village Bhai Roopa on the 16th Baisakh, 1687 Bikrmi (1630 A.D.) naming it after Bhai Roop Chand. In August 1631 Guru Har Gobind Sahib ji, with 3000 warriors again visited Bhai Roopa and stayed there for three months. The Guru in recognition of devotion, honored Roop Chand with The title of “Bhai” own brother and put him in charge of the spiritual welfare of the new Malwa and the country south of Sutlej. With his own hands the guru put Bhai Roop Chand on the masand and put on his forehead the tilak, saffron mark of leadership of the area and gave karchha, a long spoon, asking him to run langar to feed the poor and the needy. This karchha is still kept with veneration.
Ala Singh, son of Rama, another Sikh, attacked Bathinda when it was in possession of Sardar Jodh Singh Saboke, and conquered a large area around the city.
Ala Singh, who died in August 1765 at Patiala, was succeeded by Amar Singh, his grandson. In 1770, Amar Singh sent a large force to capture the fort of Bathinda from Sukhchen Singh Sabo. The fort was reacquired in 1771. Raja Amar Singh died in 1781 at the age of 35.
After the death of Amar Singh, Raja Sahib Singh, who was six, was made the Chief of Patiala. However, the affairs of the state were managed by Diwan Nanun Mal. Raja Sahib Singh died on March 26 1813, and was succeeded by his son Karam Singh.
During the First Anglo-Sikh War of 1845-46, Maharaja Karam Singh of Patiala fought on the side of the British. He died during the war, but his son and successor Maharaja Narinder Singh also helped the British Government. Narinder Singh was succeeded by Rajinder Singh, Bhupinder Singh, and finally (in 1938) Yadavindera Singh.
With the formation of the Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU) on May 5, 1948, Bathinda District came into existence on August 20 1948. Its headquarters was originally at Faridkot, but relocated to Bathinda in 1953.
After 1953, many changes were made to Bathinda District's geographical boundaries. Muktsar and Mansa districts were separated from Bathinda.
The 1900 year old fort in Bathinda is a Historical National Monument. A brief history:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 90-110 AD | Emperor Kanishka and Raja Dab built it. |
| 179 AD | Bathinda town was established by Bhatti Rao. |
| 1004 AD | Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni captured it. |
| 1045 AD | Pir Haji Rattan settled here for meditation. |
| 1189 AD | Sultan Mohammed Ghori captured it. |
| 1191 AD | Raja Prithvi Raj Chauhan recaptured it. |
| 1240 AD | Razia Sultan prisoned here. |
| 1515 AD | Guru Nanak Dev visited this place. |
| 1665 AD | Guru Teg Bahadur visited this place. |
| 1705 AD | Guru Gobind Singh visited this place. |
| 1754 AD | Maharaja Ala Singh captured it. |
| 1835 AD | Maharaja Karam Singh built a Gurdwara here. |
| 2005 AD | Begin fort repairs sponsored by Akal Society of America.<ref>NRI offers help to save Qila Mubarak. http://www.punjabheritage.org/architectural-heritage/nri-offers-help-to-save-national-monument.html</ref> |
Bathinda is well linked to other cities, particularly the national capital, New Delhi by an efficient rail and transport system. The nearest airports are located at New Delhi and Chandigarh which are 381 km and 217 km away by road respectively. It is connected by rail and situated on the Ambala-Bathinda branch line of Northern Railway. A few trains like New Delhi-Bathinda Intercity Express and Dadar-Amritsar Express touch Patiala station. Besides there are several passenger trains running between Ambala and Bathinda (which stop at Patiala) at regular intervals daily.
From the historical point of view, the important place in the district is Talwandi Sabo (Damdama Sahib) connected with the history of Sikhs.
The village of Talwandi tehsil popularly known as Damdama Sahib situated 18 miles south of Bathinda. It is the venue of colourful Baisakhi fair. After his fierest battle with the Mughals at Anandpur Sahib, Chamkaur Sahib and Muktsar, Guru Gobind Singh retired to the jungle of Malwa. He relaxed and took rest, Dam, at Talwandi Sabo and hence its name Damdama Sahib. The Guru stayed here nine months and nine days. He made the place acentre for spreading his mission and hence its name Guru-ki-Kashi. He re-dictated Adi Granth here and called the place as Khalse Da Takhat. A seal was also prepared bearing the "Akal Sahai Guru Gobind Singh ji ki Jagha-Takhat Damdama Sahib ji"
This place had been visited earlier by Guru Teg Bahadur, the father of Guru Gobind Singh. Damdama Sahib is also the headquarters of Nihangs. There are ten Gurdwaras and three tanks.
The three tanks are; Nanksar Sarover, Akalsar Sarover and Gurusar Sarover. The first named tank is associated with Guru Nanak Dev ji who is said to have visited this village in 1510 A.,D. during his second Pad Yatra to Rajputana. The Akalsar Sarover is associated with Guru Gobind Singh ji and a sip of water from it is believed to be a safeguard against any disease and scourage. The Gurusar Sarover is said to have been dug up under the orders of Guru Teg Bahadur ji.
The Maiser Khana mandir is situated 29 km from Bathinda on Bathinda-Mansa Road. According to a legend, the jyoti of Mata Jawala appeared to give darshan to a poor devotee who could not reach Durga temple at Jawala Ji.
Every year, two melas are held where lacs of devotees come to have darshan of Jawala Ji.
The old awe-inspiring retic of its past splendour is the fort at Bathinda which is biggest than its competitors at Lahore, Phillaur and Hanumangarh. It stands as a gigantic sentinel in the heart of the town.
During his life, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji also stayed in this fort. It has a long fascinating history behind it.
| Bathinda city officials | |
| District Commissioner | Rahul Bhandari |
Bathinda has a 'Municipal Corporation' setup of administration.
after completion of 12 years (10+2) of schooling.
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