PUNJAB – States of India
Key Information
Capital : Chandigarh
Geographical Feature: Landlocked state
Present Chief Minister : Sardar Parkash Singh Badal
Present Governor : Shivraj Patil
Main language : Punjabi
Geographical Features of Punjab
Punjab is a landlocked state in the north of India
Most of the state comprises of vast plain areas
North areas of Punjab touch the Himalayan foothills whereas western boundary of Punjab touches fringes of vast Indian desert
Punjab touches four states of India – Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan
Punjab also touches union territory of Chandigarh and it is the state which envelopes Chandigarh from three sides
Punjab’s international boundary touches Pakistan
The name Punjab (meaning land of Five Rivers) is derived from five rivers which flow through this area. However, much of this Punjab is now in Pakistan after India’s partition in 1947
Three major rivers to pass through India’s Punjab are –Sutlej, Ravi and Beas
Punjab is famous for its extreme climate – Freezing cold in winters and extremely hot in summers
Punjab has been divided into three regions – Malwa, Majha and Doaba
Historical and Political Journey of Punjab
Punjab is often called ‘the cradle of Indian civilization’ as it was an important part of the Indus Valley Civilization and the Vedic Civilization
Harappa, one of the most important spots of the Indus Valley Civilization, is in the Pakistani Punjab
Indian Punjab’s Ropar city was one of the important Indian cities of Indus Valley Civilization